Genelex Gold Lion KT-88 reissued tubes

I just recieved my MFA 200D's back from modification by designer/friend Scott Frankland and after trying all the standards he decided on the reissue Gold Lions...the amps use 6 per side and put out 120 watts in Triode.
It is hard for me to just judge the tubes as they are one of several changes made to the amps, but Scott, who obviously knows his amps, went through a step by step process to optimize the amps and these are the tubes he chose.The amps have met and exceeded all of my expectations...very good to great with the changes.
I have used the originals (still have 4 NOS)in a very different design (audiopax) and find similarities in the fullness and richness of the sound...not euphonic or slow sounding.

From what I'm reading the KT88's add a little more warmth to the sound in comparison to the 6550 tubes. I have Tung-Sol 6550 reissues in my ARC VT-130 and would like to add a degree of warmth and richness to the sound.

Don, I have no experience with the Tungsol 6550s but a lot of experience with Sovtek and Svetlana Winged "C" 6550s in my ARC M300 MkII amps (the "C"s were excellent, Sovteks suck ;--) Here's my take: ARC amps, although they will work with KT88s, were designed around 6550s. In addition, ARC amps are not characteristically "tooby" sounding - not hard like some SS but still very neutral. My point is that changing to KT88s would give you a little more poop (bass control) but probably not warm things up that much.

With regard to the McIntosh amp I use now (and though I haven't tried this myself) those who've tried both report that the KT88s have more sparkle and slam than the 6550s, so go figure!

If you haven't had or done (it's easy) the capacitor upgrade on your VT-130, you should. The parts are only $200 from ARC and that would be a genuine improvement to an already great amp. If you want to try KT88s go ahead, but you may not hear that much difference.
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ive had them for a couple of weeks in an audiopax amp and i like them so far. I've previously had the Penta and the JJs and like these reissues better than both - the bass is very good and overall they have a very rich sound. Carol

Neil, yes the caps have been changed. I do like what these tung-sol tubes do. It's always fun to bring out a little something different in the sound. I would say this set-up does sound rich, just not very rich. I should give the McIntosh a listen! Don