KT88 Tube Types

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These KT88 tube descriptions now include the results of the listening test we performed with Roman Klun, a recording engineer and producer who has worked with artists such as Sarah McLachlan and the Boomers. He listened to all of our KT88 tubes and 6550 tubes with his own reference recording and gave us his observations.

KT88, KT90, and KT100 tubes are interchangeable types.

The amplifiers we use for our listening tests are from Quicksilver Audio. These are great amps since they allow us to quickly compare many different types of tubes without having to re-bias. The speakers we are using are Vandersteen 2Ce's.

We have 9 KT88 Tube Types in stock right now.
	Lowest Price to Highest		A to Z
	63.95	Sovtek KT88	Electro-Harmonix KT88EH
	71.95	Electro-Harmonix KT88EH	Electro-Harmonix KT90EH
	75.95	Shuguang KT88-98	Genalex - Gold Lion KT88
	79.95	JJ KT88	JJ KT88
	95.95	Tung-Sol KT120	Preferred Series KT88
	99.95	Preferred Series KT88	Shuguang KT88-98
	99.95	Electro-Harmonix KT90EH	Shuguang Treasure KT88-Z
	119.95	Genalex - Gold Lion KT88	Sovtek KT88
	239.95	Shuguang Treasure KT88-Z	Tung-Sol KT120

EAT KT88 Diamond

The EAT KT88 Diamond tube is considered the best KT88 made, and by some, better than the original Genalex KT88 tube from Great Britain. This KT88 tube is available in factory-matched quartets...." more

Availability: Out of stock.

Electro-Harmonix KT88EH

The new KT88EH tube is here. In this KT88 tube, a new geometry is utilized to reduce odd order harmonics for a sweet top end...more

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Electro-Harmonix KT90EH

The Electro Harmonix KT90-EH tube is a suitable replacement for any KT88 or 6550 tube. This KT90 tube is an excellent quality tube and a solid performer in both hifi and guitar amps. The bass is solid and defined, mids are balanced, and the highs are smooth and clear.

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Genalex - Gold Lion KT88

After extensive research and engineering, New Sensor Corp. has reissued the famed Genalex Gold Lion KT88. This tube has been recreated down to the finest detail with gold plated grid wire, carbonized screen grids, and a tri-alloy clad plate structure for exceptional performance and sound quality.

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

JJ KT88

From our JJ KT88 tube listening test: "The JJ KT88 tube has the best imaging of all the tubes in this category. The bass is unique..." more

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Preferred Series KT88

Our Preferred Series KT88 tube is a versatile high quality tube. It is very musical and with a frequency range balanced from top to bottom. It has a strong detailed bass and smooth highs, with the mids slightly warm yet still detailed. The soundstage is wide and deep.

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Shuguang KT88-98

Based on our customer responses this KT88 tube definitely has the best bang for the buck of all the KT88 types.

From our KT88 tube type listening tests: "The Shuguang KT88-98 tube has perfect clarity from the very bottom to the very top of the frequency spectrum..." more

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Shuguang Treasure KT88-Z

The Shuguang Treasure series KT88-Z tube sounds fantastic and looks great too. A previous Shuguang KT88 call the KT88-98 tied for top spot in our blind KT88/6550 listening tests and so we're excited about this new premium KT88 version.

The KT88-Z tube's construction features gold grid wires and a new internally coated black glass bottle. This unique HPCC coating is known as High Polymer Carbon Compound glass coating and is unique for it's ability to reduce stray electron emission that can otherwise reflect off the glass.

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Sovtek KT88

From our KT88 tube type listening tests: "The Sovtek KT88 tube has smooth, warm and clear with excellent imaging..." more

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Tung-Sol KT120

New Sensor now announces the Tung-Sol KT120, which has a plate dissipation of 60 watts, making it the most powerful tube in the 6550/KT88/KT90 family. A pair of these tubes in push-pull configuration can deliver power levels of 150 or more watts. When used at the parameters found in existing 6550/KT88/KT90 circuits, the Tung-Sol KT120 is impervious to overload, delivering peak power with extreme reliability and long tube life. However, taking advantage of the higher current handling capacity of these tubes, a very unique and super powerful and stable amp can be designed using the Tung-Sol KT-120.
As of November 2010, Audio Research Corp. is using the Tungsol KT120 tube exclusively in all new power amps.

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Winged "C" (SED) KT88

From our KT88 tube type listening tests:
"The Winged "C" (SED) KT88 tube has great texture, balance, and response to transient sounds. The highs reach higher than any tube in this type..." more

Availability: Out of stock. Currently, the manufacturer has not provided an estimated time of arrival. Our website will be updated as soon as stock arrives.

KT88 Tube Links

For more information on KT88 tubes including pinout, ratings, application and possible substitutions visit KT88 in Duncan Amps, and KT88 in The Tube Directory.