nc42acc
New member
Sorry Mike the GE had to go back in. There is much synergy with this one!
So has anyone replaced the 6550s in their Ref 10 with KT88s?
- Thread starter joeinid
- Start date
Sorry Mike the GE had to go back in. There is much synergy with this one!
It’s wonderful!
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Barry
Member
This may have been mentioned elsewhere, but whatever 6650/KT88 power tube you like in your ARC Reference power supplies, you may not be hearing what they sound like if you're not using tube dampers on them. As I've improved my system setup, I began to notice a very slight haze/dryness using the SED Winged "C"s. It made me wonder too about my REF10 phono where I switched to Shuguang Treasure Zs.
For the last week, I've been using Herbie's Audio Lab high-temperature HAL-O IIIs on these tubes and really noticed a significant improvement in clarity and detail without any downsides of a more analytic presentation. They are made with titanium, not PTFE/Teflon or Sorbothane. Note, these tubes reach temperatures of 450 F so I wouldn't cheap-out with dampers of some other material, although PTFE ones will work.
I liked them enough, I'll be experimenting with the smaller size on the 6H30s instead of the ARC supplied dampers.
Note that Herbie's recommends the "50s size" for bulb-shaped KT88s, but that only allows them to be placed at the very top of the tube, not the middle. That seems to be just fine though. Have fun!
For the last week, I've been using Herbie's Audio Lab high-temperature HAL-O IIIs on these tubes and really noticed a significant improvement in clarity and detail without any downsides of a more analytic presentation. They are made with titanium, not PTFE/Teflon or Sorbothane. Note, these tubes reach temperatures of 450 F so I wouldn't cheap-out with dampers of some other material, although PTFE ones will work.
I liked them enough, I'll be experimenting with the smaller size on the 6H30s instead of the ARC supplied dampers.
Note that Herbie's recommends the "50s size" for bulb-shaped KT88s, but that only allows them to be placed at the very top of the tube, not the middle. That seems to be just fine though. Have fun!
Billion$Baby
New member
Thanks for sharing that info Barry. Will def have to pick some up for my REF 10 and other gear. The comments/reviews on these are insanely positive. Never heard of these suckers before....could be a game changer!!
Barry
Member
So I tried the smaller Herbie's HALO-IIIs on the 4 ARC REF40 6H30 gain stage input tubes in place of the dampers that ARC supplies. Can't categorically say they're better. It would take more A/B listening and that's complicated since I'm using Center Stage Feet and it takes a while for those to settle when I move the preamp. I am going to leave the dampers in however. The HALO-IIIs on the big 6550/KT88s power supplies still sound like a good improvement to me. I don't think you can't go wrong with them. They seem to eliminate a slight haze that was bothering me.
These damping titanium rings are a tight fit and the pads don't seem to roll on the tubes like some others. Be patient and careful when you put them on!
These damping titanium rings are a tight fit and the pads don't seem to roll on the tubes like some others. Be patient and careful when you put them on!