PSVANE "Horizon" KT88: Listening Impressions - Review

[@2HatHudders]

Thank you Skunkie, I used an older video of yours to help me replace the 10 ohm resistor because a kt88 Willsenton stock tube red plated. I came across these tubes and you have already reviewed them. So helpful.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Glad I could help

[@cobar5342]

Very good to see these tubes giving good performances

[@abxaudiophiles]

Just heard these in my buddies Galion TS120 amp… Really nice tubes. 😊. Stunning tube amp. Put my R8 up for sale instantly after hearing it.

[@middleearthltd]

Nice to see you here.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@middleearthltd Oh yea, been here for a long time, typically lurking around. 🤣🤣😊😊

[@1mctous]

Thomas himself noted the quality of the Horizon series of tubes.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@1mctous yes he did. 👌

[@cdhumiston]

The PSVANE Horizon tubes were a great improvement in my Willsenton R8. I upgraded again to the PSVANE ART series, and they were even more of an improvement. The Art series really brought the bass out in my system. When I upgraded to both the Horizon and the ART series, I also upgraded my 6SN7 and 6SL7 tubes to match the set.

[@Guitar5986]

15-20 yrs ago I never thought we'd see any kind of improvement in new production tubes. I just assumed it was all downhill from there & started amassing a large NOS tube collection. I'm so happy that I was wrong & we are seeing modern tubes that are performing so well. Longevity wise I'm not sure if they are going to match NOS tubes but I hope they do. Typically NOS tubes last 2-3 times longer than new production. Thanks for sharing these reviews with us.

[@kicle877]

what you mentioned about the sonic signature of KT88 is in line with my finding of Psvane KT88 cossor series; ie; a lot of details, great layering and very quiet. They beat my other tubes (6L6, EL34 etc) by a massive margin. If you like this type of signature, put it under your future upgrade list, worth to try. I will try out the KT88 from the ACME series as my next upgrade. Thanks for your great works, Skunkie. I have learned a lot from you.

[@anhdangduc1061]

Back to back with all helpful videos!

[@Davor-f9v]

Along with the Willsenton R8, I got for $200 plus a set of Psvane KT88s. They sound fantastic, but more "transistor" to me. Well, the devil didn't let me rest, so I replaced them with Nos RFT (Siemens) EL34, and the other 6sn7 with Nos Sylvania and got a "sweeter" tube more open sound with the same amount of detail. It's all a matter of taste. Tube rolling is very interesting and can be surprising. Great review again.... And great shirt!!!

[@warrenbeatty9582]

Now I have to try these. I’ve been more than pleased with my EH KT88 tubes in my X7, but love rolling! 😊

[@rongreen1538]

Great review, thank you for taking the time to make it.

[@TheJoyofVinylRecords]

I just popped the Horizon KT88s into my Galion last night and have to agree with everything you said Stephe. It was the bass that really caught my attention. I have some of their AU and AX 7s to test out and then plan on posting a review as well. First impressions were great.

[@PSVANE-official]

Thank you for your appreciation.❤

[@rosswarren436]

Great to know that some new production tubes can be excellent. Thanks! Thinking of ordering a Willsenton R8 or a Muzishare X7 based on your reviews. Just wish you could get them off Amazon with exactly the tubes you want without buying some that you don't.

[@jefffeith4201]

Always enjoy the PSVane tubes I have. I don't have the Horizon line. Love their 6SN7s in my preamp.

[@Madmart54]

As a follow up to my previous comments I have to say after slotting these PSVANE Horizon KT88 into my system I’m a bit blown away after having used KT120. So detailed and open and airy. More realism-more of everything in a good way. I could write a long list but it would be too long. I think the only people who might not be impressed are those who like a more warm thick creamy sound.

[@FidelitySoundz]

Great review!!! Thank you.

[@whome8192]

No Monday Monologue, but you have put out a video about everyday this week!

[@dtg474]

I may get a set of the KT88 for my Jolida 801

[@Madmart54]

I was thinking of going back to KT88s from my KT120s. I had some GE6550As at one time which sounded great but as they eventually failed the flavour of the month was to try KT120. I was impressed. The bass didn’t seem as full but adjusting my subwoofer the bass then sounded good and tighter than the GEs. The only negative I noticed was a bit of a steely top end. I sort of got used to it over the years but after upgrading my other components and obtaining a really nice sounding system, I still detect a slight harshness which I wonder is due to the KT120s. So,as you do, I’m thinking of trying going back to. KT88 in the hope of just mellowing that top end. The Horizons may be the answer? I hope when you said they are detailed that’s not meaning they’re bright sounding? Thanks for the review. I did catch someone else’s last night saying these were nice and mellow but really good and better than the Mullard’s he’d been using as his favourite.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

It's hard to say what they will sound like in your circuit without trying them.

[@Madmart54]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics I paid £230 for a quad on Amazon, which is ridiculously cheap but unfortunately an extra £150 import fees from USA to UK- but £380 is still good. Lo and behold the price has just gone up another £45 plus import duty on Amazon. I think Psvane are seeing the good reviews 🙂.

[@adamfrandsen]

I havent’t heard the Horizon KT88, but I own the KR Audio KT88s in my Quad II 80 monoblocks - sound incredible! Also you should try the red base tubeampdoctor kt88s, very good price!

[@ernestporee3697]

Very good explanation... I have a Mc240 with 6L6 power tubes and I would like to try some KT66 as you mentioned they aren't cheap? So any help in narrowing it down is most helpful.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

KT66 tubes normally aren't cheap.

[@ericelmore887]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronicswhat is your top choice of KT 88 that you have heard?

[@nbramaputra]

How is it about the bias adjust? 6550 vs kt 88 will the amp do it corect ? i have a cayin a88t mk2- i know 5% is about inside in tube world but do you think the amp only do corect on kt 88? Nice Canal you have here, i made amps 20 years ago and maybe i go again? have alott of tubes and spares and some old chassis from radios to work on!

[@vespass225]

Hi Stephie, Is the current status , scematics + BOM, of your wonderful KT120 mono blocks to be found anywhere? I got very eager to build them, but in a dual mono-Single chasis config.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

The real issue is the availability of tubes that actually perform at their rated dissipation. I've had to hand sort through early production KT120 tubes to find samples that actually perform to their rated specs. The new production versions red plate when biased at anything over 40W and they are rated at 60W. The KT150 IMHO are even worse.

[@kenshinhimura1981]

Just got in a R8. Which sound signature would you prefer between EL34 and KT88 for it? I usually like detailed sound with strong bass so not sure if the EL34 would be strong enough. Thanks.

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

From what you describe, stick with the KT88

[@kenshinhimura1981]

​@@SkunkieDesignsElectronicsthanks. 😎🍻

[@souldoc123]

hi,its time to change kt88 in my amp,tad kt88 str or kt88 horizon???

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

I would go with the Horizon!

[@souldoc123]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics well,i ordered from psvane,waiting to test..

[@souldoc123]

Ive got tubes,my amp is yaqin mc100b with some mods,after installing them into amp,i was confused...i thought,was the sh.t i just bought...after burn them 15 hrs,sound changed to better side...now about 30hrs burn..and...amp now plays much more better..psvane recommended 50hrs to burn..to best condition...🎉

[@Madmart54]

@@souldoc123 They are stunning

[@chrislj2890]

This is one I've been waiting for. Since I'm new to tubes I'm wondering how important matching is. Do I need a matched quad for my R8 or is having two matched pairs acceptable? It appears Amazon only has matched pairs, but were the four you have matched?

[@nbramaputra]

Matched pairs are fine. The canals in amp are seperate.

[@chrislj2890]

@@nbramaputra Gotta love autocorrect, lol.

[@Geoduck.]

Puppy photo bomb was cute. Nice review thank you for sharing. I agree with you those black treasure ll are very good sounding but in many cases unreliable.

[@roofermarc1]

I purchased a quad of 12au7-at Psvane tubes and had them in my Rogue RP-7 preamp. They were horrible sounding, bright screeching ear hurting which doesn't make any sense because everyone else likes them? I had put 12 hours on them and they did sound a little better. They have a distortion to them with no bottom end. Very bright, I've already got a slightly bright setup but these were unlistenable. I've re installed my nos tubes for now. I'll put them back in later, maybe they need more time? Bought them off Amazon even the packaging was a joke, maybe there fakes?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

If they don't work for you, return them!

[@roofermarc1]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics I will return them but I'm curious as to why they sound so bad to me? Every post I read on them there amazing you know?

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

Could be the bias point of your amp doesn't agree with them? Not sure.

[@roofermarc1]

@@SkunkieDesignsElectronics idk enough about it. My foray into nos tubes hasn't worked out well either, they all sounded great but 3 out of the 8 acted up way to soon on me and that's from reliable sellers. So I've said I'm not purchasing anymore nos but may have to! Does it take many hours on these tubes. They are the Horizons, don't know if I mentioned that. I could not find the acme line in these Psvane, don't think they make them in the 12au7

[@SkunkieDesignsElectronics]

They can change in a subtle way with some time. It's not going to be dramatic. This amp may have the bias for the input tube set in the "knee" of the curve, which makes the sound vary a LOT when you try different tubes?

[@adamfrandsen]

I have yet to hear a truly bad psvane tube - try the HiFi series 5u4g, its an impressive tube for a modest price in my opinion.

[@ferryvandijk3008]

Shuguang stopt making the -z series to replace them with the -T series. I realy like the kt88-T

[@mbracerh]

He he the nosy dog in the background

[@Marco.p-76]

🐾🐾🐾💪

[@mnbsay9548]

Boooooooo! I Red Plate when I see that pile of 💩 Mine red plated (sockets melting and the base of the tubes separating) and I literally put it into the trash can . I really do think you probably saved us from a house fire or some sort of other emergency.