How are they sounding?
They sound like an open window, extremely low noise floor, airy open sounding, wider soundstage than typical other KT88s.
The bass is very clean, tight and well defined as opposed to Classic series C which i found pretty muddy compared to Acme series.
I should get the Tungsol KT120s next saturday to compare as i think Acme series has the level of clarity of KT120s but with the KT88 warmth and refinement that KT120s don't have.
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
Good luck, I have never had great luck with Psvane tubes. Quality is to inconsistent much like JJ tubes.
I agree, 2 of my original Psvane KT88C died after 3 weeks but since they come from Jadis they are replacing the whole set for Tungsol KT120s.
I just hope the Acme series is much better quality.
Republicoftexas69
Well-Known Member
A while back I had an issue as well with Psvane T2 KT 88's. I went back to Gold Lion's. A few months back I shifted from Psvane black bottle 845's which would not hold bias well to Linlai Global D Dream series. I really like them from a reliability and sound standpoint, however for whatever reason I believe that model may not be available anymore. there are other Linlai options
Only a couple? I've yet to come across a tube that isn't still changing, often radically, as it comes on 300 hours, and sometimes beyond. That's hours on, not necessarily playing.
Of course any serious conclusions wouldn't be made till they are fully burned in. Just mainly going to do mostly background listening till I get at least 48 plus hours of initial burn in.
Same experience. Found the Psvane T-ll KT88 sounded better than the reissue Gold Lions. I got them from Grant so most likely best quality. Unfortunately one failed after 400 hours and a few weeks after Grants warrantee.
Those Gold Lions are great tubes IMO tough and sound great.
I'm very curious how the Psvane Acme KT88 sound and how long they last as their longevity is a known issue.
Thank you all for sharing here.
My Psvane ACME 2A3 tubes have been reliable so far. I ended up buying a backup pair as I am very pleased with the sound quality.
Of course, now that I made this post, they will self destruct tomorrow.
Of course, now that I made this post, they will self destruct tomorrow.
After much much anguish decided to go with 2matched pairs of ACME 300B to replace a quad of Shuguang 300B- z Black Treasures .
The Treasures had served me well for 7years of heavy use on my Audion Silver Night Anniversary PSE 300B Mono Blocks.
Unfortunately, one tube was starting to give an unusual ( but pretty though!) lingering blue light on power on. Was advised that it was on its way out.
Considered various options including replacing with the same or considering others. Issues included SQ within my system and my preferences, cost, reliability and accessibility of supplier. Finally narrowed down to Psvane ACME and Psvane WE replicas. Went with ACME
I communicated and transacted directly with Psvane, I did raise the reliability issues with them as I was concerned about the feedback on reliability/ communication / warranty issues in this and other forums.
The response was honest and frank. The purchase transaction was very easy and received the tubes within 11days ( order to delivery in Australia).
Arrived and installed a couple of days ago and using the Streamer to get the conditioning hrs up. They said it took up to 50hrs to optimum. Much shorter than the well over 200hrs with the 300B-z experience.
Only about 12 hrs now, but I must say the streamer music SQ is super - Quietness, transparency, musicality and clarity. Bass weight and body coming through more now.
Will use with vinyl system when I get 40 hrs with streamer and CD.
The Treasures had served me well for 7years of heavy use on my Audion Silver Night Anniversary PSE 300B Mono Blocks.
Unfortunately, one tube was starting to give an unusual ( but pretty though!) lingering blue light on power on. Was advised that it was on its way out.
Considered various options including replacing with the same or considering others. Issues included SQ within my system and my preferences, cost, reliability and accessibility of supplier. Finally narrowed down to Psvane ACME and Psvane WE replicas. Went with ACME
I communicated and transacted directly with Psvane, I did raise the reliability issues with them as I was concerned about the feedback on reliability/ communication / warranty issues in this and other forums.
The response was honest and frank. The purchase transaction was very easy and received the tubes within 11days ( order to delivery in Australia).
Arrived and installed a couple of days ago and using the Streamer to get the conditioning hrs up. They said it took up to 50hrs to optimum. Much shorter than the well over 200hrs with the 300B-z experience.
Only about 12 hrs now, but I must say the streamer music SQ is super - Quietness, transparency, musicality and clarity. Bass weight and body coming through more now.
Will use with vinyl system when I get 40 hrs with streamer and CD.
Attachments
I had ordered a matched pair of the Psavne Acme 845's. Sadly, one of the two tubes arrived defective.
I was able to return the pair for replacement matched pair. This replacement pair sounded wonderful! After a couple of months of them playing reliably and with me still loving their sound, I decided to order another matched pair so that I could have a back up pair.
Sadly, one of the two tubes again arrived defective. They sent me replacement and now this pair sounds just as great as my first pair!
I am very happy to now have two matched pairs of the Acme 845s vacuum tubes and they sound glorious!
If you can have the patience to withstand the hassle of return shipments and waiting for a matched pair that actually works as intended... I can say wholeheartedly that they are worth the wait and the stress. Not to mention, I think that they are a great value price wise too.
Best wishes,
Don
I was able to return the pair for replacement matched pair. This replacement pair sounded wonderful! After a couple of months of them playing reliably and with me still loving their sound, I decided to order another matched pair so that I could have a back up pair.
Sadly, one of the two tubes again arrived defective. They sent me replacement and now this pair sounds just as great as my first pair!
I am very happy to now have two matched pairs of the Acme 845s vacuum tubes and they sound glorious!
If you can have the patience to withstand the hassle of return shipments and waiting for a matched pair that actually works as intended... I can say wholeheartedly that they are worth the wait and the stress. Not to mention, I think that they are a great value price wise too.
Best wishes,
Don
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Good to hear that you had a good response to the defect tube replacement. Couple of queries: Did you deal directly with Psvane or through a third party?
And did the fault show up on installation or after a period of use?
I bought my ACME 300B about 5 weeks ago and communicated directly with Psvane. They were very responsive to my queries about QC and warranty.
Tubes arrived within 11 days of ordering.
They said to give them 50hrs for “burn in”, but I think that was more for “conditioning”. Has been an interesting ride with the changing SQ presentation, but now done about 120hrs and they are really sounding very good!
Hello,
The 1st pair I bought via AliExpress through GD Audio Parts store. Right from the beginning, one tube was defective making much noise, distortion, popping, etc. I have roughly 50 years of vacuum tube experience and I knew it was a defective and not due to a bad capacitor/resistor/or related to my amplifier. It was stressful to me trying to process the return ( I'm not the most proficient with navigating technology, etc.) but the return happened and all ended up well.
The 2nd pair I bought directly through Psvane and the same thing happened with one of the two tubes right away again and never got better even though the manufacturer felt it would get better over time. It didn't... it just got worse with time. This exchange happened much easier as I was working directly with Psvane. The replacements worked superbly and I am very happy with both sets now and think they are fantastic tubes.
I think if you can get a pair that work as intended, a person would be quite pleased with how they sound.
Best wishes,
Don
The 1st pair I bought via AliExpress through GD Audio Parts store. Right from the beginning, one tube was defective making much noise, distortion, popping, etc. I have roughly 50 years of vacuum tube experience and I knew it was a defective and not due to a bad capacitor/resistor/or related to my amplifier. It was stressful to me trying to process the return ( I'm not the most proficient with navigating technology, etc.) but the return happened and all ended up well.
The 2nd pair I bought directly through Psvane and the same thing happened with one of the two tubes right away again and never got better even though the manufacturer felt it would get better over time. It didn't... it just got worse with time. This exchange happened much easier as I was working directly with Psvane. The replacements worked superbly and I am very happy with both sets now and think they are fantastic tubes.
I think if you can get a pair that work as intended, a person would be quite pleased with how they sound.
Best wishes,
Don
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