Northern Electric KT88 Anybody use them ?

[Bluemcintosh]

I found very interesting KT 88. The guy who used them describe as these ;

Compared to the Genlalex the sound comes way outside the speakers boxes,top end sparkles and the bottom end goes deeper with way more control.
And what tubes are all about the mids ,these tubes have no rival that I have heard.

By the website description ;

The NE-KT88 is a radical new design. For the first time ever a KT88 tube utilizes a solid, thick and completely unique graphite plate (anode). This improves tube life and reliability on top of providing outstanding audio amplification characteristics.

The Northern Electric KT88 audio tube is made with the highest quality materials, from the thick glass bottle to the copper and ceramic bases with gold plated pins. The NE-KT88 is carefully handcrafted. Each build stage is measured and verified on state of the art equipment. Then a battery of tests must be passed to make it into your hands.

This new KT88 has been three years in the making. Numerous designs were evaluated, rejected and/or revised until we were satisfied we had the best KT-88 tube on the market today. Everything was designed to give you unsurpassed audio quality which you really need to hear.

The Northern Electric KT88 tube's low end is deep and controlled. The midrange is full and exceptional for vocal, classical, and jazz recordings. The high end is smooth and fairly well extended. The overall sound-stage has great separation and clarity.

Northern Electric had a rich history of producing high quality audio products and vacuum tubes in Canada. We are now re-introducing this classic brand and bringing to you the highest quality tubes possible.

So my question is anybody use this tubes on McIntosh MC275 yet ? If so how you like them ?

[Bluemcintosh]

By the way, These tubes are ain't cheap.

$ 398 for matched pair and I need 4 pairs lol.

[bakerman]

I was just looking at the 12AX7 variant this morning. $58.00 each for these so not as much a stretch as the KT88's. It looks like they are made in China and then shipped to Canada for testing. I might order a couple soon to try out.

Let us know if you go for the KT88's.

[Allan W.]

I'd need 16 not including spares big LOL...

[vintage_tube]

I would be curious as to what they test at as compared to others on the market. At those prices, I doubt I'd be interested. Reminds me of a fellow AA'r who bought 16 EAT KT88's for $5.5K+ and for that outlay he told me he could have spent his money more wisely.

I have found there is no correlation to present day & more expensive tubes equating to OMG performance in MC2301's. Maybe other amp/preamp designs relish a benefit, so I'm only speaking of my experience w/my beloved MC2301's & those who have or had MC2301's.

Happy Holidays Folks,

Bob