Name: Ray Tubes Select/Reserve KT88
Brand: ThomasAndStereo
Price: 207.0 USD
Availability: InStock

Ray Tubes RESERVE and SELECT KT88

The KT88 is a beam tetrode introduced in 1956 as a variant of its smaller cousin, the KT66. Its name is derived from kinkless tetrode, an earlier name for the beam tetrode, and it's been popular in high-fidelity stereo systems since its introduction. Since New Old Stock of the KT88 is especially rare, Ray Tubes is proud to offer brand-new KT88 vacuum tubes.

RESERVE KT88 - Product Highlights

The Ray Tubes RESERVE Collection isnʼt for everyone. Itʼs the distillation of decades of experience. RESERVE reveals audio details you never knew were there.

● Bespoke design and small-batch production
● Hand-selected by engineers to our most meticulous standards
● Higher quality materials, including gold pins for longevity
● Monocrystalline carbon Magic Coating for improved heat dissipation
● Substantially more consistent performance than New Old Stock
● Unlike NOS and most other new production, covered by the Ray Tubes
One Year Warranty

RESERVE KT88 - Sound Characteristics

The RESERVE KT88 combines power and resolution, making it ideal for listeners who appreciate strong dynamics, a spacious soundstage, and well-controlled bass.

● The bass is powerful with deep, well-controlled frequencies ideal for
complex arrangements such as rock and symphonic music.
● The midrange frequencies are full and rich, reproducing vocals and
instruments with excellent texture for a detailed, layered sound.
● The treble performance is clear without being overly aggressive. A key
strength is its high resolution.
● The dynamic range is outstanding, while the soundstage is large and
well-defined with excellent spatial separation.

SELECT KT88 - Product Highlights

The Ray Tubes SELECT Collection offers the best tubes youʼll ever need. It
goes above and beyond the baseline to bring out the best in all your
favourites.
● Designed and manufactured by a team with decades of experience
● Hand-selected by engineers—only the top tubes make the cut
● Gold pins for durability and longevity
● Substantially more consistent performance than New Old Stock
● Unlike NOS and most other new production, covered by the Ray Tubes
One Year Warranty

SELECT KT88 - Sound Characteristics

The SELECT KT88 excels at powerful bass and high-resolution sound, suitable
for users seeking strong low-frequency dynamic performances.
● The bass is solid with a powerful deep end, suitable for highly dynamic
music like rock and symphonic orchestras.
● The midrange frequencies are delicate and multi-layered with a warm
tone. Vocals and strings in particular excel.
● The treble performance is clear with very high resolution and rich but not
harsh details.
● The dynamic range is very wide, while the soundstage is wide and deep
with extremely accurate positioning.

Our Quality Control

Our Quality Control Each tube undergoes a seven-step quality control process, including a 24-hour burn-in period, stress tests to minimize microphonics, and critical parameters that are carefully measured to ensure consistency and accurate matching. Finally, sound engineers assess each tube under real-world listening conditions.
By the end of the quality control process, only 5% of tubes commissioned for production meet Ray Tubesʼ standards.

Our Warranty

Books have been written about the countless ways vacuum tubes can and do fail. With most manufacturers, and all New Old Stock, a tube failure leaves the user high and dry. Ray Tubes is different. All Ray Tubes products are backed by the Ray Tubes One Year Warranty, which covers manufacturing defects for twelve months from the date of purchase.

KT88 Specifications

Specification	Value
Tube Socket	8-pin
Max Anode Dissipation Power	42 W
Max Screen Dissipation Power	8 W
Max Anode +Screen Dissipation Power	46 W
Max Anode Voltage	800 V
Max Screen Voltage	600 V
Max Grid Voltage	~200 V
Max Cathode Current	230 mA
Heater Voltage	6.3V
Heater Current	1.6 A
Transconductance	12 mA/V
Amplification Factor	8
Total Height	119 mm

Tetrode Connection	Value
Screen Voltage	250 V
Anode Voltage	250 V
Anode Current	140 mA
Grid Voltage	15 V
Grid Current	3 mA
Internal Resistance	12 kΩ
Amplification Factor	8