Good news on your experience so far! Still waiting for my single driver, more efficient speakers before trying the Popes. I'm using a vintage RCA "black plate" 5Y3GT in my LP-2 and have a second to use in the amp with the Popes. I grabbed a trio of RCA and a trio of Sylvania 6FM7 that I haven't tried yet (only $3/tube). Dennis supplied GE's. The seller said not to expect any difference. But at that price, what the hey?!

I'd be *really* interested in your thoughts on the different 6FM7's. That's the least "roll-able" tube in any amp I've owned. Pretty oddball in the tube world, but a cool idea: half 6SL7 / half 6SN7. Surprised it didn't catch on elsewhere.

I think the GE's are Sylvanias (or vice versa?) or maybe all the different brands were made by the same plant. They all seem to be clear tops with the getter on the bottom. I'd love a close look at all 3 variants to see how the innards differ (if at all). Either way, I'd be interested to know if you can hear any difference.

I love this hobby! I can't believe the sound that I was getting from 6 watts/ch earlier tonight! If you told me I'd be trying to get there when I was listening to my Kenwood receiver in the 1980's I would have laughed! Things go in cycles, I suppose...

G'night all!
(and... go Blackhawks!)

I'll take some photos of all three, but probably not till Friday.

Has anyone tried KT77's in their amp? I am wanting to try something different and I don't know if I should go KT77 or KT88

I haven't tried the KT77/EL-34 type yet, but it might be fun tracking down a nice vintage pair for some more tube-rolling fun. What is the recommended rectifier for those? The 5AR4?

I remain amazed that it seems like the vintage Amperex/Pope 6V6GT's don't seem like they have any less power than the KT-150's. It might be awhile before these are pried from my FireBottle to find out! More fun arrives on Thursday when my Mk. 1B upgrade kit arrives for my Zu Omens. A new woofer and tweeter with upgraded crossover components should prove a fun test too. My ex-wife always said I was "all about the upgrade"....

I ran the KT77s for a while. They were great, but the Pope's seem a little more balanced top to bottom in my system. You might like them better. It's just a matter of taste and synergy. I use the 5U4G that Dennis sent with both the Gold Lion KT77s and the Pope 6v6... His recommendation. Good luck!

I am a little worried about trying 6v6's. I am using very inefficient speakers and I am concerned they might not have enough ommph. I have some reissue tung-sols 6v6 and 2 metal tube rca 6v6 so I guess I could give them a shot.

Yes, I could see your hesitation - but if you've got a couple 6V6's sitting around and don't have to buy them - what the heck?

My speakers are 97 dB/w efficient, so the 6 watts/ch seems to be plenty. They appear to be similarly "loud" as the KT-150's at the '12 o'clock' setting on the volume knob.

OK Jury is out. It is working and it sounds nice, so maybe the 6v6 is an option for me. I am using a 5y3 rectifier, the pic has the 5u4 but I changed it shortly after because I was worried about voltage.
https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-s...0/R0001884.JPG

Perhaps I should try these now
https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-n...0/R0001878.JPG

I’m amazed at the quality of the sound from the KT150 amp driving Kharma 3.2 speakers. The only area that needs further refinement is the bass, still not as refined as I prefer.

I’m currently running Telefunken E88CC / 6922 and Philips 5R4GYS Made in Holland.

I don’t understand how 12 watts can drive the semi-efficient Kharmas. Does the amp running in class A have anything to do with it?