KT66 suggestions

brucegill

Hi

After a process of elimination, I need a new KT66 (Can put others in there but preferred the KT66 so far). Currently has one made by "ARS".... no idea about these, but its very new and already noisy)

Can anyone suggest a good one to try? Can see a nice NOS RCA one for near £50 but not sure its worth the cost? New or NOS is fine, just something people have tried and know to be well made/sound nice.

Thanks!

jpfamps

I've had good results with the RI Golden Lion KT66s.

RCA never made KT66s. Is it a relabeled 6L6?

Collings

I;ve used someTAD KT66 with no problems. I believe that they are shuguang built.

brucegill

Ah yes, sorry RCA was a 6L6. 

Will look for some info on RI golden lion. Thank you. 

RiftAmps

Gold Lions are exceptional, TADs are brilliant, JJs are good.

Reissue Tung-Sol are actually 6L6s in a KT66 envelope.

brucegill

Thanks guys!! 

Just checking we are talking about new readily available Gold Lion and not NOS? Thanks

Modulus_Amps

I use the Gold Lions, they are good. can't go wrong with them.

jpfamps

brucegill said:

Thanks guys!! 

Just checking we are talking about new readily available Gold Lion and not NOS? Thanks

Yes we are taking about current production Golden Lions.

NOS are great, but quite expensive.........

brucegill

Thank you. Appreciate the help! 

Classic

My two favourites are Valve Arts/Shuguang and Gold Lion. probably nosed by Shuguang.

i tried TAD which veryone considers rebadged Shuguang but they definitely sounded thinner with slightly different frequencies going on. I don’t doubt they were made in the same factory though.

shuguangs have a more raw sound. Gold Lions are rounder. One review pretty accurately analogised Shugs = Billy Gibbons Gold Lions = Santana.

You can’t go wrong with either.

DJH83004

If you are only looking for one, (I take it the amp is single ended), then you could try and source a GEC KT88, they are pretty bomb proof, the Hi Fi boys love them   

brucegill

Thanks all. Gold lion turned up. Really pleased so far. Has needed some viton orings to stop some rattle. (Its In a little combo, so gets a hammering)