Tube rolling in Cayin A-88T

I also own this great amplifier. In addition to the stock tubes, I own a quad set of tung-sol re-issues 6550, and a quad set of Svetlana KT-88's. Both sets outperform the stock tubes handily. the Tung-sol are lush and a bit warm-sounding, but have midrange to die for. The Svets are more neutral and give the Cayin a solid-state like low end bass. I don't think you can go wrong with either of them.

As much as I enjoy this amp, I may have to sell it to go (reluctantly) back to a solid state system, as I need something that can stay powered up all the time. I only listen to 1-2 tracks at a time, once or twice a week..

Try these tubes and be happy!

Sorry for the late response....The stock tubes are actually not too bad. The Tung-Sol are great in the bass also, I would say better than the stock tubes, but it's a toss-up. Yes, we are talking about the C-winged Svets. My tubes are Upscale Audio labelled on the box.

I keep the stock tubes installed for my occasional 2-3 tracks at a time during the week and for FM listening during dinner ( Cayin tuner, nice. ). Come Firday night, I might put in the Svets, keeping the Tungs in almost unused condition in their box. But if I have a hard-edged or badly recorded, bright cd I wish to listen at length, they come into action...ah, the beauty of tubes.

These last two quads sets (Svets and Tungs) have limited usage.

Hope you like your Cayin A 88-T, nice machine isn't it ?