KT-88 vs. EL34


Hi. I have a modified Jolida 502 amp (not my main amp) currently using KT-88s and formerly the similar 6550s. Some have suggested that this unit will sound even better, power hit aside, modifying to accept EL-34s. The mod is easy. Anyone find this to be true or is it just another myth? Thanks in advance, Andy8400.

andy8400

Showing 1 response by rar1

Hi Andy -

I would make the case that this is very speaker dependent.  As you may be getting from the other posts, the sound is different as opposed to necessarily better or worse.

Are you still using the AR 4s?  For the longest time, I had the AR 302s as my speaker (latter day AR 5s).  When I used KT88s and 6550s, the sound was more fleshed out, with more force.  The EL34 sound was more delicate & balanced & intimate sounding.  The KT77s and 6CA7s seemed to get the best sound for me.  My amp was (still is) a Prima Luna PL5  

Rich