KT88/KT77/EL34 Discussion

likitlikeyoulikeit

likitlikeyoulikeit

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Just swapped my amp back to EL34s, and was looking into KT88s and KT77s.

Any thoughts over EL 34s? Not looking for power amp tube tone arguments....just opinions from experience, and facts if available to support your hypothesis.

Anecdotal evidence is still evidence, just means it hasn't been submitted for peer review...so I'll take that too.

I am just curious, thanks in advance for any comments.
 
What amp?
Generally speaking 6L6 it's euro version...KT66...rounder, more punch.
EL34=KT77/6CA7 breaks up later
6550=KT88 but generally brighter

Also if the amp can run 88s you can look at 90/100/120
 
Ed DeGenaro said:
What amp?
Generally speaking 6L6 it's euro version...KT66...rounder, more punch.
EL34=KT77/6CA7 breaks up later
6550=KT88 but generally brighter

Also if the amp can run 88s you can look at 90/100/120
Click to expand...
Laney IRT120.....it can do 6l6 and el34....and the KTs are just more "hifi"than el34s, correct?

And the KTs are compatible if it is el34 capable, correct?

Also ..thanks.
 
I love 6550s. :love Not a fan of KT77s, E34Ls.

Love EL34s... and KT66s, but only in a darker JTM45 style amp.

And yes, more hi fi sounding on the Big Boy Bottles of Glassy goodness.

I have 6550s in an amp right now. Ampeg SVTs ain't ever wrong. :beer

If you want a super clean power section and EL34s are grinding a bit
too much the Big Bottles can really give you that super clean, hi-fi like
Power Section.
 
la szum said:
I love 6550s. :love Not a fan of KT77s, E34Ls.

Love EL34s... and KT66s, but only in a darker JTM45 style amp.

And yes, more hi fi sounding on the Big Boy Bottles of Glassy goodness.

I have 6550s in an amp right now. Ampeg SVTs ain't ever wrong. :beer

If you want a super clean power section and EL34s are grinding a bit
too much the Big Bottles can really give you that super clean, hi-fi like
Power Section.
Click to expand...
Thanks ...this is all good info.
 
la szum said:
I love 6550s. :love Not a fan of KT77s, E34Ls.

Love EL34s... and KT66s, but only in a darker JTM45 style amp.

And yes, more hi fi sounding on the Big Boy Bottles of Glassy goodness.

I have 6550s in an amp right now. Ampeg SVTs ain't ever wrong. :beer

If you want a super clean power section and EL34s are grinding a bit
too much the Big Bottles can really give you that super clean, hi-fi like
Power Section.
Click to expand...
I thought I had TAD 6L6str in there...but it was the fucking ruby tubes that came originally..... forgot a tube busted in the move.....so I went with my TAD el34s.....I think this had a little to do with the glory I experienced afterward.
 
la szum said:
I love 6550s. :love Not a fan of KT77s, E34Ls.

Love EL34s... and KT66s, but only in a darker JTM45 style amp.

And yes, more hi fi sounding on the Big Boy Bottles of Glassy goodness.

I have 6550s in an amp right now. Ampeg SVTs ain't ever wrong. :beer

If you want a super clean power section and EL34s are grinding a bit
too much the Big Bottles can really give you that super clean, hi-fi like
Power Section.
Click to expand...
Yeah, i have a set of E34Ls and KT77s and they’re kinda lame in my Marshalls. E34Ls are harsh and barky, KT77s are stiff and lifeless. EL34s are the way to go.
 
There are reports of people doing it and it's fine .....Laney says that bias isn't a concern, which is weird ...but I had heard they biased cold from factory to accommodate, but apparently the have something in the circuity that handles it ...I suppose I will have to look further into it.
 
I’ll simplify

EL-34’s has the familiar midrange we grew up listening to records.. the proper mids with familiar fangs in the bite.

77’s -tighter 34 variant, stiffer but taller in frequencies, great for making hi-fidelity stuff
have a woodier feel.
- may not be on those records
you grew up listening to.

88’s -glassy in the mids & top-end frequencies,
monster punch in the balls of the bottom end
-may not on those records you grew up listening to unless the artist rocked a Park amp🤘🏻


Me??

EL-34’s for life…SED’s & Siemens.
 
Life Eats Life said:
I’ll simplify

EL-34’s has the familiar midrange we grew up listening to records.. the proper mids with familiar fangs in the bite.

77’s -tighter 34 variant, stiffer but taller in frequencies, great for making hi-fidelity stuff
have a woodier feel.
- may not be on those records
you grew up listening to.

88’s -glassy in the mids & top-end frequencies,
monster punch in the balls of the bottom end
-may not on those records you grew up listening to unless the artist rocked a Park amp🤘🏻


Me??

EL-34’s for life…SED’s & Siemens.
Click to expand...
Big fan of old Siemens 34s
 
TSJMajesty said:
You mean, you do repair your tubes? (Couldn't resist. :rofl )
Click to expand...
You.....

If I could, I would. Not a glass blower.

The price of some of these tubes ....insane. I like TAD tubes..... Not much experience with others....as I didn't really fudge with the tubes back in the day ....now it's an art form.

I was looking yesterday and found some NOS seimens.....they were like 400usd for a PAIR?!?

Jesus.....my amp cost me $800 new .....no thank you.
 
Got a response from Laney, which doesn't sound confident...I'm gonna keep pressing for info....due to my lack of understanding in how these amps are biased ....I need to know!!!


"thanks for the enquiry,

we do only advise using 6L6 or EL34 in these amps, i think using KT88 would cause issues with the power TX, it is rated at 7.5A and i seem to remember the KT88 alone draw 1.6A each so thats 7.6A with the preamp valves also.

regards Dave"

When support uses words like, "I think", it doesn't instill confidence in the answer ...I'll keep pressing on.

Maybe a transformer change would help the process......this seems a bit disappointing.🤷🏻‍♂️
 
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