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Can an EL34 tube be replaced with a KT88 or 6550?

Hi, I bought an integrated tube amp called Cheer EL34. Yeah, it was made in China so maybe not the best quality, but it seems to sound pretty good. It uses EL34, 6SN7, 6SL7, 5Z4P tubes. I was wondering, if the amp has auto biasing, would I be able to insert a KT88 or 6550 tube for the power section? I'm not sure if the socket arrangement is different. What would happen? Would the tube blow up or something?
smurfmand70

Showing 2 responses by smurfmand70

smurfmand70 OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for the info, Arthur. I tried looking up info, but all i found was the site www.audiofi.com. It has a contact link, but there is no email or phone listed. I thought maybe the KT88 amps were more expensive mainly due to the higher cost in the tubes. It appeared like the input sockets all looked the same, so I was hoping I could do some tube rolling with various tube types. Alas, it is not possible.

Thanks,
Clinton
smurfmand70 OP
10 posts
 
Thanks for the advice. I think i'll just get a quad of either fat body Electro Harmonix EL34, Mullard EL34 or JJ Telsa...heck maybe i should just get em all and see what characteristics they have. My amp does have auto bias, as I took it to a repair shop to get some knobs fixed, and the guy said it was auto bias. Plus there are no bias holes anywhere on the top or back of it. Woo hoo for auto bias!
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