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Sophia Electric KT88-ST impressions

I've had a pair of the SE KT88-ST in my amp for a short time. 75+ hours of play time.
They perform better than everything else I have here. Gold Lion KT66/77/88. PSVane 6CA7-Z'S black bottles. Wide open mids. More linear performance from top to bottom. Great extension at both extremes. Balanced and musical. And, I'm using them in an ampsandsound Mogwai. 3 single-ended watts into 8 ohms. Time will tell re: reliability and longevity. 

Any else tried these?

128x128dmhenley

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dmhenley OP
17 posts
 
http://thenewold.co/the-sophia-electric-kt88-st-dont-say-you-dont-notice-them/
My impressions in detail.
dmhenley's avatar
dmhenley OP
17 posts
 
@boxer12 The most balanced of any of the tubes I've tried yet in my system, from top to bottom. I suppose this is why I like them. I've yet to find the compromising flaw. My experience is limited, but I've not heard this amp sound like this before. I can't say if the SE KT88's are better than the NOS tubes you mention. I'm happy that I don't have to chase those vintage tubes now.

@whitestix I have not invested in the more expensive NOS tubes. And over time, I would guess they will only become more expensive - these best of the NOS. It is great that we now have more new production tubes to choose from. The black bottle tubes are excellent. The SE are the first to improve on those, for me.
 
dmhenley's avatar
dmhenley OP
17 posts
 
I've added the SE 6SL7 to the fun. I compared it to a couple nos tubes I have. Posted on the site. In general, a similar experience in that the SE tube sounds more linear, open and maybe with a slight bit more gain.
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