Need Kt88s Genelex? or Shuguang?


I'm looking to upgrade my Winged-C KT88s in my McIntosh MC275 and keep them as back-up. I was tending toward the Genelex which some recommend highly but have also read several reliability problem reviews. The Shuguang sound competitive.
Any suggestions? Which are more reliable? Which sound best?

Thanks.
Ag insider logo xs@2xjgiacalo

Showing 2 responses by jgiacalo

Newbee, good points. The midrange is currently on target with my preferences - lush and detailed. I'm looking for more mid and upper bass definition, more lower bass impact and more extended (sparkling?) highs.
The McIntosh-branded Electro Harmonix tubes that came stock with the 275 were nothing special and developed the "blue pulsating glow of death" after less than 500 hours. So, durability is an issue.
Thanks for all the advice. Following it I've ordered the Genalex KT88s from Jim McShane and can't wait for them to arrive.
BTW Jim said that there were, in fact, some reliability problems with the Genalex tubes but that they were limited to about 2% bad tubes from a single, earlier production run.