Preferred Series KT88 Power Vacuum Tube (Matched)
Need matched power tubes? Don't worry! Price includes matching in any quantity you need for no extra charge. Need a matched pair? Just order "2" tubes. For a matched quad order "4" tubes. Matched sextets and octets are available as well.Our Preferred Series KT88 vacuum tube is a versatile high quality tube. It is very musical and with a frequency range balanced from top to bottom. It has a strong detailed bass and smooth highs, with the mids slightly warm yet still detailed. The soundstage is wide and deep. The Preferred Series KT88 power tube construction features a solid plate design and triple getters.
We have been working at sourcing a good quality KT88 tube for the past couple years. This KT88 has excellent quality and for the price is one of the best KT88 in production today. Our years of experience in testing, rating and listening, combined with customer feedback and knowledge were used to give you the best tube value we can provide. These are tubes that consistently provide us with positive customer feedback.
This tube is also sold as or known as Penta KT88SC or KT88-SC tube.
The Preferred Series KT88 tubes carry a 6 month extended warranty.
Wholesale pricing: Is available on 25 pairs or more. Contact us for pricing.
Other Preferred Series tubes
KT88 Tube TypesAdditional Information and Downloads
Tube Matching Information:
Power Tube Matching FAQ
Perfect Pair System
Warranty Information and Return Policy
Warranty Period: 6 monthsPreferred Series tubes have a 6 month warranty from date of purchase. (Any exceptions will be noted on that tube's Warranty tab)
If you receive a tube that does not perform to the manufacturer's specifications, please do the following:
- contact us to get a return authorization
- return it via regular mail within 180 days from when we shipped it, and we will provide an exchange or refund of the full purchase price of the tube.
Returns not related to warranty or defect will be considered at our discretion, and are subject to a 15% restocking fee.
We can not accept returns that don't have an authorization, are past 6 months, or are returned improperly.
These guidelines may be updated without notice.
Ratings & Reviews
23 reviews
Smooth tubes all through out the tonal spectrum
by jeff mercer
I initially had issues with these tubes being to to bassy sounding, but i have a handful of preamp tubes, and decided to go back, and experiment. I had to take out the JJ 12ax7 out of V1, and went back to the Tung Sol for that position. In the V3 position i like the Tungsram ECC83 for my Coreblade. I find that these three preamp tubes really work well together, and help the mid knob get a airiness type mid range that doesn't overly affect the bass, and resonance adjustments on the amp. With my previous EL34b power tubes these preamps tubes just wouldn't' work because they eliminated all the bass frequencies, and since I added the KT88's I was able to get all those bass frequencies back, which is awesome. I find I can turn up all my amps tone adjustments, and affects adjustments to the max settings, and still get a good sound. I don't have nearly as much percussive pick attack as i did previously, but that is more because I replaced my Jensen Blackbird/ Tornado speakers, with Warehouse speakers ET90, in my Port City OS Wave 2x12, which i find is brings out smooth lead tone instead. In order for me to get any semblance of percussive palm muting attack on my A standard tuned Reaper I have to dial back the resonance,, and bass parameters a lot. I might possible in the future try out a Vintage 30, after i try adding a compressor to my sound to see if i can bring the percussive back for the certain rhythm I like to use it on.
I moved the Dimarzio D activator pickups on my guitar as far away from the strings as i could, and raised the Poles as close as i could get them to the strings to help further reduce the bass that i get from my 27" scale mahogany Agile Reaper. This helped clear up the bass on the Bridge pickup some, but i still have issues with the neck having more bass then i care for, so I think I'm not going to use it much if ever. I found with the KT88's i can get a really good warm but not dark lead tone with the bridge pickup on It's own, with some minor amp tone adjustments which is sweet.
Overall I'm pretty happy with the sound I'm getting with my amp after these changes. They have been a great improvement.
great sound from my V4
by Gardar Holm
Great value.
After using the great JJ KT88 I bought those and do not regret.
Great base and silky soft sound. Good for all music, jazz, classic, rock...
Outstanding Replacement in Primaluna DiaLogue Two
by M. Grozde
When my Primaluna DiaLogue Two power tubes needed replacement I decided to search around for either an upgrade with NOS or highly rated new tubes. I wanted to purchase the KT88 Preferred but they were out of stock so I borrowed power tubes from a friend, namely Tungsol 6550 and KT150. I've had a fair amount of listening time and liked the 6550s better than the KT150. Well the Preferred Series KT88 are back in stock so I decided to get a set. I was floored how much better the overall sound improved. I didn't think that power tubes could make such a difference. Highly recommended to anyone thinking of getting a new set of KT88s.
Surprised and Delighted
by Tube Nube
If these are reminiscent of the GEC KT88s then count me in. Sound really good in a Bob Latino ST-120 amp. Bias is stable. Bass grunt similar in a way to Tung-Sol KT120s but tighter with better precision and without the bass bloat. Nice balanced highs and very good vocals. I like them better than other high-end Shuguangs like their KT-88T which are hot on the high end and have too much detail (ear bleed) not to mention notoriously LONG break in cycle. The Preferred Series KT88 tubes dropped right in and sounded good after a an hour or so warm up. Tube selection is a compromise of sonic qualities and the PS KT-88s checks off a lot items I prefer. Well done!
Robust Tube! Great for Bass Amplification.
by NickelFlatwound
As far as I'm concerned, this tube is the most "NOS" sounding KT88 of modern production!
Creamy, Glassy, Crunchy, whichever tone you desire.. these step up to the plate by delivering superior tone and stability.
Bing Bing Shuguang !