Can the VL 503 handle KT 88 tubes ?

erniebull · Last edited by erniebull on Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:36 am; edited 1 time in total

It is written at the back 75 w max ouput ,
so it is just enough for 6550's (35-40 watts ),
but the KT-88 being a little more powerfull ( 40-45 w ? )
is it possible ?

Without frying the transformers or without having not enough power to take the most of the KT 88 ?

Briefly : can I put KT-88 in a VL 503 ? :)

ClassX · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 3:22 am Post subject:

erniebull,,Welcome to the Lee Jackson amp forum,,,

The VL-503 is designed to run a pair of El34's at 50 watts ,,, or a pair of 6550's at 75 watts,,,,,,with the switch on the back matching,,,,

Would KT-88's work???,,,They might if the pins on the tubes go to the same places as the 6550's ,,, but I would not suggest trying them,,,,,,

Keep on aRockin',,,,,

erniebull · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 9:39 am Post subject:

6550 and KT88 are direct replacement .

The only question to me is to know if the transfo are powerfull enough .

ClassX · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject:

Cool ,,, I had forgotten that the KT-88 was the European version of a 6550,,,I have never seen a KT-88 myself,,,

Assuming that that the KT-88 and the 6550 are the same in every way,,the transformers should be able to handle it very well,,, Ampeg uses some of the biggest, beefiest,, transformers I've every seen in amps,,and still do,,,,

!!!ATTENTION!!!,,,I am not a amp tech,,I was an employee at the SLM electronics plant,,that made Ampeg and Crate products,,for the last 3 years before they moved operations to China,,, my job was to test and inspect amps and speaker cabinets for sound and cosmetic flaws,,,

Keep on aRockin',,,,,

erniebull · Posted: Mon Mar 17, 2008 8:04 pm Post subject:

Thanks for you answer , I feel confident about doing it now ,
and if the transformer explode , I will send you the bill ... :lol:

You meant that Ampeg stopped producing in the States ? :shock:

ClassX · Posted: Tue Mar 18, 2008 5:20 am Post subject:

erniebull,,, yes,, both Ampeg and Crate used to be manufactured for St. Louis Music co.,,In St. Louis, Missouri ,,, Almost 2 years ago Loud Technologies,,, (Mackie and Tapco mixers along with other brands) bought SLM Electronics,,,

I worked at the manufacturing plant in Northwest Arkansas,,,The plant was built in 1994,,,That was when Crate was making a name for themselves building the blond Vintage Club all tube amps,,, along with Audio-Centron mixers and P.A. equipment,, and of course Ampeg,,,,,

The plant officially closed the doors March 9, 2007 ,,,Now all Ampeg and Crate products are made in Asia,,,,

Keep on aRockin',,,,,
_________________
!!!ATTENTION!!!,,,I am not a amp tech,,I was an employee at the SLM electronics plant,,that made Ampeg and Crate products,,for the last 3 years before they moved operations to China,,,

Lee Jackson Metaltronix Amplifiers

Can the VL 503 handle KT 88 tubes ?