Tung Sol 6550 vs. GEC/Genelex/Gold Monarch KT88

VTV 6550/KT88 Shoot Out for Hi-Fi

Genalex KT88 Gold Lion 1969 - 4.87
Tung-Sol 6550 1963 Solid Grey Plate - 4.77
JJ KT88 2002 - 4.63
Ei KT90 1999 - 4.52
EH KT88 Reflektor 2002 - 4.16
Sveltana 6550 2001 - 4.13
Svetlana SVKT88 2002 - 4.09
Svetlana SV6550C Reflektor 2002 - 3.98
Philips Sylvania 1970s - 3.98
Chinese 6550 Valve Art 2002 - 3.89
GE 6550A 1970s - 3.78

The Tung-Sol was voted the best 6550. The Genalex was voted the best KT88 and the best tube in the shoot out. The Ei KT90 was voted the Best Value - it was liked by all reviewers. The JJ KT88 was voted the best new KT88 and also a KT88 best buy.

You will enjoy the article.

Regards,

Metralla, thanks for the list. It's interesting that the only other tubes I've rolled in my amp were GE 6550As, and I wasn't impressed. Now, I know my ears weren't deceiving me. Now, I'm especially curious about the Tung Sol or Gold Lions and how much better 1.5+ points is on the scale?

Also, interesting that the JJ tubes ranked so high. I went to the VTV website and they seem to feature JJ tubes for sale. Coincidence?

Coincidence?

Makes you wonder, doesn't it?

I am a novice, so can you explain whether the 6550 and the KT88 are electrically equivalent or not?

Regards,

I know you can usually use them in the same amp (swapping one type for another as a set...not individually). They are not electrically the same. They require different biasing.

FYI - I have the Audiopax amp driving Avantgarde Duo speakers and recently brought in the NOS Genelex Gold Lion tubes, replacing the Svetlana that is put in by the manfacturer. What an awesome improvement in sound - just outstanding results! Highly recommended.

I also upgraded to NOS Amperex (Holland) 12AT7's and they were yet another level of improvement.

Jack/Tao
Atlanta, GA