Problems with Svetlana KT88 and Sonic Frontiers

I'm using the Sovtek KT-88s in my Music Reference RM-9 amp with great results. It beats generic Chinese 6550s and EL-34s by a mile. I've had them for five months with no problems. The Svetlana's have a great reputation in the high end and I'd like to try them. I hope this is just a single isolated bad batch.

I have been using my Sonic Frontiers Power 2 with Svetlana KT88's. I have not have had any problem at all. I have talked to a tech(I forget the name) at SF when I was purchasing KT88's. Tech mentioned that there were some bad batches of Svet KT88's that may cause problem. Only thing will happen when the tube shorts out is the biasing resistor for that tube will burn up. Tech told me that was easy fix and even sent me a few resistors in the mail. Well, I have had Svet KT88's and JJ Tesla KT88's other than Svet 6550s came with the amps with no problem what so ever. I remember that SF tech told me that if Svet KT88's fail, it is usually with in first 20hrs of use.

Nameci is right. Sonic Frontiers told me the earlier Svetlana KT88s had stability problems. ARC and other manufacturers will tell you the same. Present production Svetlanas are supposedly better, but some tube experts believe they are NOT the most reliable tube, period.

I have used EH6550s, which look just like KT88s, kind of a hybrid tube. They sound excellent in the Power 2 amp, better than anything else. They add more life and detail to the highs, and have a great lower end punch.

Has anyone tried the Electro-Harmonix KT-88 in the Power 2? If so, what did you find? Here's a review of various tubes and the reviewer prefers the EH KT-88 to the Svetlana KT-88. Different amp but wondering if I would get similar results in the P2.

I have been running Svetlana KT88's in my power 3's with no problems. I am interested though in trying the EH6550's. I would be interested in hearing from anyone that has done a direct comparison of these tubes on power 3's.