VTL's and KT88's?

I've got a pair of VTL 300 deluxe mono blocks and currently use Gold Lion KT-88's. In my system, with my equipment they are great. They roll of the high's silky smooth and oh what a sweet mid range. They don't have the tight bass like the 6550's but I think it just my speakers.

I tried the Chinese KT 88-98's because of the cost. I really liked them but they were a unreliable. I cheap'ed out and didn't buy them from Kevin Deal. Oh well live and learn. I did go to Kevin for the Gold Lions and I've had no problem.

Good luck

I've got Gold Lion KT-88's in my ST-150 and I hear exactly what vegasears hears....superb.  Except with my Thiel 3.5's, the ST-150 even in triode mode handles the bass better than either the ST-85 or ARC D90b that I've used previously.  Not quite as defined as a transistor amp, completely realistic to the real thing.

The best sounding KT88 is the Shuguang WE-KT88 plus red base tubes.  They are 3 dimensional have tonal qualities in spades, but they will not stand up to the high plate voltages on the MB-450, or other VTL amps.
If you try a Chinese KT88, you will get flash over and early tube failures. So stick with the gold lion KT-88s, or if you want a touch warmer sound, try the Electro Harmonix KT88.

@johnss  That's exactly how the Shuguang K-88 performed for me back in 2009.  I only use GL KT-88's in my VTL 450MKII amps.  Thanks for the comments on the Electro Harmonix KT88's. It may be time for a change.

@vegasears , thanks! also don't forget or overlook those 12AT7 inputs, they affect the sound too. Try a pair of PSVANE art series or the T-II series if you want more detail. If you want a warmer sound, the Shuguang treasure series will fit the bill.

Where are you all sourcing your Shuguang WE-KT88 plus tubes? 

Thank you.

It might be interesting to read this first....

...' NEW SENSOR in New York today owns the brand rights of the 'GOLD LION' brand. That is all they own. They do not use the original tools, neither are their new tools copies of the original tools. The GOLDEN LION tubes, sold by NEW SENSOR, are made in the Reflektor factory in Saratov Russia, and inside I see the plain old Electro Harmonix construction, as they used always'.....(scroll to read )

https://jacmusic.com/KT88/kt88.htm

"...inside I see the plain old Electro Harmonix construction, as they used always’..."       See any side ring getters/silver side gettering, in any of EH’s KT88 iterations?        Compare the top supports, plates, etc.      Differing construction, between Russian Gold Lion and all of EH’s KT-88 versions.      Apparently: whoever wrote the article cited, can’t discern obvious construction differences, either.      Further: no sellers, or- anyone on AudiogoN (that I’ve noticed) are attempting to pass off the Russian, GL re-pops as actually being produced with original equipment (or copies) from the Genelex plant.              They’re just excellent tubes, from experience.

The best tubes for VTL, KT 88 Golden Lion