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TAD KT88 [message #98750]

Thu, 03 July 2025 22:06

positron
Messages: 138
Registered: May 2020

Master

Has anyone heard or have info concerning the TAD KT88? German manufactured or just tested for specs?

Cheers

pos

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Re: TAD KT88 [message #98759 is a reply to message #98750]

Sun, 06 July 2025 21:13

gofar99
Messages: 2006
Registered: May 2010
Location: Southern Arizona

Illuminati (5th Degree)

Hi Pos, no but their preamp tubes (7025) are rather nice.

Good Listening
Bruce

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Re: TAD KT88 [message #98763 is a reply to message #98759]

Tue, 08 July 2025 18:50

positron
Messages: 138
Registered: May 2020

Master

I just found 2 sites that says TAD is sourced in China. No go
for me, at least for now.

I wish there was some place besides russia, china, and slovakia.
Sophia might be one, but expensive tubes.

cheers
pos

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Re: TAD KT88 [message #98770 is a reply to message #98763]

Wed, 16 July 2025 14:23

positron
Messages: 138
Registered: May 2020

Master

Got to audition a used pair of reissue Mullard KT88s and I think I will
order some new and compare to the reissue Tung Sol 6550s.

We may have a superior tube.

pos

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Re: TAD KT88 [message #98772 is a reply to message #98770]

Wed, 16 July 2025 17:11

Wayne Parham
Messages: 18951
Registered: January 2001

Illuminati (33rd Degree)

Oh wow, let me know what you think! I may have to buy a pair and check 'em out for myself!

I have a pair of original Tung Sol 6550 tubes. Not NOS 'cause I use 'em from time to time. But I treat them like they are precious family China. Not for use every day. Not even for every Christmas. Only for Christmas' when royalty visits. LOL!

And I have a bunch of Mullard 12AX7 tubes, which I have found that I like a lot. So I'd be happy to try Mullard KT88s. Not sure how I missed those before now. Somehow, I looked right passed 'em, I guess.

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Re: TAD KT88 [message #98778 is a reply to message #98772]

Thu, 17 July 2025 19:19

positron
Messages: 138
Registered: May 2020

Master

Wayne Parham wrote on Wed, 16 July 2025 17:11

Oh wow, let me know what you think! I may have to buy a pair and check 'em out for myself!

I have a pair of original Tung Sol 6550 tubes. Not NOS 'cause I use 'em from time to time. But I treat them like they are precious family China. Not for use every day. Not even for every Christmas. Only for Christmas' when royalty visits. LOL!

And I have a bunch of Mullard 12AX7 tubes, which I have found that I like a lot. So I'd be happy to try Mullard KT88s. Not sure how I missed those before now. Somehow, I looked right passed 'em, I guess.

Will do Wayne. A friend had a used pair of 6 year old reissue Mullard KT88s
and they do spark my interest. Auditioned and the bass was less but tight,
maybe too tight, but then the M pair are somewhat used.

I can always tweak my monoblocks to increase bass (accuracy/naturalness)
if the new ones are a little light.

The 1,000 hour reissue Tung Sol 6550s had the same idle cathode current as
the other quad new TS in the boxes, was impressed, but then one of the used
TS started arcing with only ~440 p to k volts, 70 ma.

Besides that the TS side getters were pretty much used up, while the used
M had virtually no side getter deterioration.

Will be a little time to test, get some hours, but will report back Wayne.

cheers
pos

I just found a couple of selections from Anna Lapwood, Prince Albert Hall,
London. Had forgotten how majestic a pipe organ can sound. The first is a
cover of the Da Vinci Code.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3HHtulwmk6U

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0WEY2A5MiWE&list=RD0WEY2A5MiWE&start_radio=1

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