Category: – Archive [Discontinued]

6CA7-Z / KT88-Z or WE 6CA7Plus / WE KT88Plus – which one?

Posted adminPosted in - 6CA7/EL34 all types, Purchase Guide, - KT88 all types

Answer to an inquiry from Germany – related to Unison Simply Italy:

6CA7-Z and KT88-Z were released over 10 years ago to the market as the very first high end upgrade tubes. But over years, the factory’s lack of quality screening has flooded market with mixed quality. We (Grant Fidelity) no longer carry them as the ‘selection’ cost is simply too high and performance varies too much. 


WE Plus series is the latest release before Shuguang factory went into relocation and ceased production in 2020 till further notice. From our own evaluation, the sound of this series is much better than previous Z-series (yes people do hear lots of good things about Z-series as they have been on market for 12 years with certainly more users). We selected through the entire factory stock and acquired less than 10 quads which meet our quality standard. We won’t hesitate to recommend them, simply just by the excellent test results we have seen on those we picked.


For your amp – i see the manufacturer website showing it uses EL34. It can be replaced with WE6CA7Plus no problem. I don’t see mentioning this amp can use KT88 – so please make sure your amp indeed can use KT88. If so, WEKT88Plus can be used. 


In general, KT88 gives more bass low frequency but resolution for midrange and high frequency isn’t as good as 6CA7. You can have to decide what is more important to your listening and choose accordingly. 


Hope this helps. 

Type 50 tube “if you like the sound of the old triodes go for Grant Fidelity (type 50)”

Posted adminPosted in - 50 tube, Reviews by Tube Model

Read review by long time Type 50 tube lover Rob from Netherlands:

Conclusion:
Winners are Grant Fidelity and EML. I would put my money on these. You get new tubes, with warranty. If you like the sound of the old triodes go for Grant Fidelity, if you do favor a bit more modern sound, EML would be your choice. Comparing the Grand Fidelity 50 to the originals, the originals will set you back a heap of money for used pairs, whilst difference in sound will be subtle. You get the same character for far less money, and new. As a runner up I mention the EML’s. They do not exactly match tone and spaciousness like the Grant Fidelities and originals, but do breath about the same character with more tight bass and highs. A bit more “modern” sound. Available new as well. Take your pick.
One thing to mention, the Grant Fidelity type 50 was a one batch production, so only a limited stock is available. No idea how much pairs are left at this time..”

https://www.dhtrob.com/impressies/grantfidelity_50.php

New feedback! “KT120-Z CB are definitely an upgrade over Tung-Sol… and very reliable”

Posted adminPosted in Reviews by Tube Model, - KT120-Z

I had the tested Tung-Sol KT-120. Installed on the Sonic Frontiers for quite a while. I installed these new PSAVANE KT-120 on the same amp hooked up to the top of the line Pathos «  In Control «  pre-amplifier. Speakers were the ProAc Response D20 R ( ribbon tweeter) and later, the new Martin Logan Electro-Motion hybrid electrostatic speakers.

Upon installing & biasing the new tubes on the D20R, I noticed a right away increase in transparency , detail in resolution. It became even more obvious when I upgraded the speaker cables to the new Cardas Cygnus.  Also, an increase in depth very noticeable with either set of cables.

Also with both set of speakers, there was no brightness at all with these new tubes. No forwardness either. Overall, these new KT120-(Z CB)are definitely an upgrade over the Tung-Sol. And so far, they have been very reliable. And they look good too.

Have a good day,

R.

Treasure KT120-Z: “I could live with this tube for a long time.”… “it is a steal”.

Posted adminPosted in Reviews by Tube Model, - KT120-Z

treasure KT120 quad boxIt is official! The Treasure KT120-Z has been reviewed by Stereotimes and here is what the reviewer said – “I could live with this tube for a long time.”… “It is a steal!”

The review was done with a high end Ayon integrated tube amp which uses KT88 and KT120 type tubes.

“On various cuts the Shuguang Treasure KT-120 tubes sounded more interconnected across the entire frequency spectrum. The Ayon Audio tubes seemed less controlled and transparent by comparison almost lacking in headroom and while the Shuguang Treasure KT-120 tubes were more illuminated in the midrange and high frequencies displaying a more live sound. I clearly preferred Shuguangs it to the Ayons.

Over the course of this review, some cable and system grounding changes were evaluated and based on the transparency of the Shuguang Treasure KT-120 tube, it was always easy to hear even the subtle differences each system change displayed.  You know what I really like about this tube in this application?  It’s the reliability.  I’ve power cycled my Ayon Audio Triton MKIII many times over the course of this review and have never once had a tube failure but I have almost a dozen tube failures with the stock tube.

Conclusion

After hearing the Shuguang Treasure KT-120 tube I can declare my search for the best KT-88/120 tube is over.  I have no desire to reinstall the Ayon Audio KT-88SX tubes if that tells you something.  I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend these tubes and at the price of $349 a quad they’re a steal. ” Read full review here.