Questions about tubes


I would like to venture into the tube world, however am needing some guidance. For example, what is tube rolling? What do different tubes sound like or characteristics ie kt88,6440, SET,. I hope these questions are not dumb. I think some of you will have fun answering. By the way I will be using Totem Arro speakers..Thanks
demar

Showing 1 response by bartokfan

Mwilson I've had 3 experiences with KT88's and found your comment contrary to my experience.
1) bought a quad of EH Kt88's for my Jadis Orch Refer(KT90 amp).
2) heard 2 different Audio research with Kt88's
3) home demoed a Chinese KT88 amp
From these limited experiences I found much less bass and treble extension vs the KT90's. Basically i found the tube to be a "warm midrange", IOW not dynamic.
I need to listen to other KT88 amp before I can make a claer judgement, as each KT88 amp will vary in dynamics. But I'm not expecting much of a change.
Just based on the shapes of the 2 tubes, the KT88 is "bubbled" and I assume for that reason offers less compression vs the narrower KT90.
The fq's get sloshed around" moreso in the 88. The 90 seems to 'spit" the fq's out, thus offering more dynamics with a 'kick".
I'm sure many here will disagree, but its just my limited experience, I could be wrong.

Dmar, i just posted a note in the TECH Talk discussion. I'll post a few ideas there and others can chime in.
Do some digging in the archive here, many fine discussions on tubes characterists.