JJ Tubes; KT88 and 12AX7s - Any Good?

[IanBallard]

Re: JJ Tubes; KT88 and 12AX7s - Any Good?

I hate JJ tubes

So you've tried them all?


(probably not... )

 

[Warheart]

Re: JJ Tubes; KT88 and 12AX7s - Any Good?

I like them enough to have 3 heads full of them.

I did have one JJ 12AX7 crap out on me, but the amp also blew a fuse so I don't know if it was necessarily the tubes fault. 1 out of 14 12AX7's broke on me, so thats a pretty good ratio.

I could totally see them sucking in certain situations, but I don't tread there.

But a +1 to what sosomething said!

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: JJ Tubes; KT88 and 12AX7s - Any Good?

How about groovetubes or ever hear of genalex?

Genalex are re-issues although there are NOS originals around.
There's a big difference in the price of two. The NOS are getting very expensive. From memory I paid around $260 for my pair. and that's some years ago now, I doubt I'd find them for that price any more.

The re-issues. I haven't tried them but there are plenty of reviews.

In 1957 Marconi-Osram Valve Co. (Genalex) introduced the "King of Power Tubes", the legendary Gold Lion KT88. This tube became the heart and soul of such classics as the Dynaco Mark III, McIntosh MC275, and Marshall Major. Unfortunately, Genalex ceased tube production in the early 1980s and the Genalex Gold Lion KT88 has become very expensive and hard to find.
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.​

- http://www.jacmusic.com/KT88/kt88.htm -

 

[mwalluk]

Re: JJ Tubes; KT88 and 12AX7s - Any Good?

Genalex are re-issues although there are NOS originals around.
There's a big difference in the price of two. The NOS are getting very expensive. From memory I paid around $260 for my pair. and that's some years ago now, I doubt I'd find them for that price any more.

The re-issues. I haven't tried them but there are plenty of reviews.

- http://www.jacmusic.com/KT88/kt88.htm -

So genalex are rebranded nos?

 

[GoldenVulture]

Re: JJ Tubes; KT88 and 12AX7s - Any Good?

So genalex are rebranded nos?

After extensive research and engineering, New Sensor Corp. has reissued the famed Genalex Gold Lion KT88.

Not rebranded NOS; Re-issued, as in made new currently, supposedly to the same specs and performance of the origonal Genalex KT88's. Another of the current generation of re-issue KT88's. As I haven't tried them I can't comment as to whether they are any better than others.

Depending on what country your in and who you get them from, the re-issues cost around $100 to $200 a pair.
NOS KT'88s start at around $400 a pair if your lucky and can go for close to a grand a pair.