Has anyone tried these new Psvane KT88T tubes

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by MC352

I will probably be placing my order next week. I sold some old radio gear to a local guy and once he pays me next week, I'm going to order up 4 of those and try them.

Chuck.......That's great. Anxious to hear what you think.

[Masterlu]

Chuck... Any updates?

I have my Psvanes, but don't plan on putting them in any time soon. Just re-tubed one 2301 with fresh GL's.

[gtubes]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Chuck... Any updates?

I have my Psvanes, but don't plan on putting them in any time soon. Just re-tubed one 2301 with fresh GL's.

Ivan, curious. Why was one 2301 due for a tube swap and not the other?

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by mc602

Ivan, curious. Why was one 2301 due for a tube swap and not the other?

Corporal Bob here -- forgive me Ivan (swoosh),

His one MC2301 had a blown resistor (??) as the result of a GL going south. Had to send it in for repair & reloaded it with fresh ones when it was repaired.

Bob

[gtubes]

Bob, thx

[JayV]

I know this thread has been quiet for a while, but I was wondering if anyone had an update on the Psvane kt88's? One of the black treasures in my Ayon Spirit III has gone bad, and I'm trying to decide if I should get the Psvanes or try KT120s? The amp can handle the KT120s without problem according to Ayon, but I'm not sure which would sound better.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by JayV

I know this thread has been quiet for a while, but I was wondering if anyone had an update on the Psvane kt88's? One of the black treasures in my Ayon Spirit III has gone bad, and I'm trying to decide if I should get the Psvanes or try KT120s? The amp can handle the KT120s without problem according to Ayon, but I'm not sure which would sound better.

I still haven't gotten around to putting them in. I have a second pair of 2301's I would use the Psvanes in, if I had another system to use them in.

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by JayV

I know this thread has been quiet for a while, but I was wondering if anyone had an update on the Psvane kt88's? One of the black treasures in my Ayon Spirit III has gone bad, and I'm trying to decide if I should get the Psvanes or try KT120s? The amp can handle the KT120s without problem according to Ayon, but I'm not sure which would sound better.

The new model of your amp comes with the KT120's and according to Ayons' web site, the model has been updated with a larger transformer to accomodate the four KT120's:

"The Spirit III is not a simple update; it is a new re-design featuring new circuit boards, automatic bias, bigger power transformer to handle also the KT120 power tubes and increased the power supply energy storage two times."

You should be able to use the KT120's out of the box without worry, especially if Ayon advises such. Wonder how much larger they made the transformer -- probably not that much larger -- probably fits in the same can(???).

Many people tout the extra dynamics the KT120 offers and IMO, what better reason to try them (KT120's).

With KT88's, the Spirit III pumps 50w in Pentode mode -- any idea what the output would increase to w/KT120's -- 60+??

Best

Bob

[JayV]

The stock KT88s in my Spirit III are Black Treasure SX2's. I can't find much about them on the internet, but they are made under a JV between Ayon and Shuguang. They offer replacements for $146 per tube as a service to Ayon owners, but they cost $225 each new. I guess I'm just going to order a single replacement as I haven't had any complaints about the sound. I might try a set of KT120s as well just for comparisons sake...

[JayV]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

I'm not sure how much bigger the transformer is vs. the Spirit II, but it is definitely much larger than the one in my Sophia Electric KT88 based amp. I think the Ayon transformers are made by Lundahl. This amp is a beast at close to 70 lbs!

I'm going to order a replacement BT KT88 from Ayon, matched to the set they originally provided (they keep a database of tube detail by the amp's serial number). I also just ordered a matched quad of KT120s as well so that should be a fun experiment

I run it almost exclusively in Triode mode to my Nola Micro Grand's, so it will be interesting to see if there is any noticeable power increase....