Psvane Horizon Vacuum Tubes

Hello,

I have had the privilege of testing the PS Vane KT88 Horizon tubes in consultation with PS Vane.
At this point, many thanks to PS Vane.


Preface:
I do not receive any payment or similar, this review is based on a voluntary basis.
I also took my time with the tubes, so this review is based on my experience with different driver tubes and rectifier tubes.
After more than 300h including burn in you can certainly judge very well where it goes.

Setup:

The setup consists of the Gustard R26 Dac fed by the Singxer Su2 via I2S.
Headphones are mainly the Zmf Atrium with Auteur Lambskin pads and speakers from Elac from the 90's that have been refurbished, and the ZMF Auteur OG was also used, which incidentally sounded really amazing with the PS VAne KT88 Horizon.
sounded really amazing.
The amplifier is the Mcchanson Ultimate, which is very special in its design and circuitry.
The amplifier can use 12xx7/6SN7/6SL7 as drivers, and of course several with the appropriate adapters.
As output tubes we have different possibilities, 6Y6 is the main driver at this point.
But others can be used like EL34,KT63,66,88,the whole 6x6 family like 6v6,6K6 zbs and many more where adapters EL12,EL32,807 ect... are necessary.
The circuit is based on the builder hand soldered with point to point wiring, his experience is in this area also
very special with a lot of knowledge from the old era.
The capacitors I used were mainly Audionote Copper.
As rectifiers 6BW4, EZ80/81 can be used, which have some influence on the final sound.
The operating point where the PS Vane KT88 Horizon was used was 240V.

For testing and reference:

Since I only have 3 pairs of the KT88 tubes, the plan is to test on two amplifiers, but I will reduce it to 2, also because otherwise it will be too much.
I will select a common driver tube in both amplifiers and describe all 2 pairs.
It doesn't make much sense to test the PS Vane KT88 Horizon with different driver tubes in amplifier 1 (Ultimate), also because the amplifier is somewhat exotic and the intervention tended to go in other directions.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon played along well with the swap.
The 2nd amplifier is the Feliks Euforia to give a good picture of the whole thing, I also set the driver tubes there, unfortunately I don't know the operating point of the Feliks Euforia amplifier.
The test refers to the GEC KT66 and PS Vane KT88 Horizon even if it may not be quite proportionate.
My reason here is to find out how close the PS Vane KT88 Horizon comes to the Gec KT66 and all those who know the GEC KT66/88 know that these tubes are now available at unrealistic prices.
Not everyone here has the means to get hold of such exotic pairs and not everyone is prepared to start an extensive tube collection and may just want something better or something as a backup.


Note:

In my amplifier where the PS Vane KT88 Horizon has been running for over 300 hours and is fitted with a rectifier tube.
If you have the possibility to change the type of rectifier of the amplifier my tip is to do it.
Depending on the quality of the rectifier it is worth trying.
The 6BW4 was very satisfactory in my amplifier, it delivered a little more bass energy, a little warmth, and a little creaminess.
If you do not have the possibility to change the type of amplifier, try another manufacturer of the rectifier tube.
EZ80/81 also worked very well, but a little more in the mid and treble range, and for a good judgement I found it important to find the right balance so that everything fits together well.


Construction:

The construction and workmanship is absolutely flawless, wonderfully finished and also really nice to look at.
The glass not only looks beautiful, it feels stable and robust to the touch.
The lower grey base fits beautifully into the picture and looks harmonious and radiates calm, and the imprints on the glass and base also look high quality.



The lower base is not only equipped with gold pins, PS Vane has also developed a new base here and the temperature is even at the point.
If you look into the glass from bottom to top there are nice thick wires that have been soldered very well and make a very robust impression for nice hours to enjoy and gives you a good feeling of reliability.


In the centre we see black plates that have been perforated 3 times, these have also been deburred and very cleanly finished between the micas, additionally supported three times per side with 3 rods.
We can also see an additional wing plate that protrudes a little further outwards in the centre of the rod that has been spot-welded.


Further up the upper mica's we see a copper rod that goes through the black plates and ends there. 4 rods that go upwards and in the middle 2 grey winged plates, which I think will provide some warmth in the sound.


The top of the glass seems to be chrome plated, inside at the right angle we see 2 O-getters positioned.
It should also be mentioned that this was additionally coated called HPC-X.




Data on the KT88 Horizon tube:

Unfortunately I have not been able to find any key data to be able to say more about it.

Packaging:

There is definitely room for improvement, but it's okay They fulfil their purpose like all other packaging, and as a tube hare it's better not to have too big a box if you're a collector.
The packaging is clearly defined by who the manufacturer is and the cardboard is well chosen and does not look cheap, inside the tubes are well protected even against some unpleasant knocks.
The print is otherwise beautifully designed and looks marble-like.


Burn in:

The burn in went most of the time without any problems when I received the tubes and took them out of the box.
There were no failures and the PS Vane KT88 Horizon remained completely unnoticeable from the first hour to 100 hours.
There is nothing worth mentioning that I could say, no cracking which can happen with tubes, no hissing or humming.
My personal recommendation for you would be to give this pair at least 100 hours, maybe even a little more 150 - 200 hours.
Not because it is needed except for the first 100 hours, but because it will settle over time and the tubes will sound a little rounder.
After over 300 hours I can tell you that something is happening here again.


Basic sound:

I don't want to be cheeky, but I remember exactly when I hold the PS Vane KT88 Horizon in my hands for the first time.
I had listened to the Gec KT66 a few days earlier and my first thought when I put the PS Vane KT88 Horizon into the amplifier was:
Oh wow, they sound so close right out of the box, which gave me the idea to compare the Gec KT66 with the PS Vane KT88 Horizon.
Seriously, they are really beautiful tubes, not only visually, the sound may be primarily on the neutral side, not so typically British if you call the GEC by its name.
But it's a different neutral for me when I get emotional, there's euphony in it, a pick-up vocal. With a lot of power and expression in the voices of the singers where it sounds very natural that you will like it.
The orchestration of the instruments also in the timbre where it flows very well together and is really crisp, and it doesn't colour the overall sound in the whole frequency band, it remains very linear in sound.
It remains neutral from top to bottom, with rich and deep bass, and it doesn't go in an analytical direction where you would say you can hear everything in the recording.
The music is presented in a more technical way, with a beautiful deep stage that carries you away and makes you feel when you listen.
All in all, these PS Vane KT88 Horizon tubes deliver a very nice natural music presentation at the highest level which is guaranteed to be an experience.
The tuning of the sound is for me personally in line with what the construction suggests when you have a closer look at the tube.
I have the feeling that I have written a little too little about it to be able to provide more information.
I also think that when you listen to the PS Vane KT88 Horizon you are simply captivated by the sound, because it casts a spell over you and your personal emotions will decide what you hear.
I found it hard to stop travelling and there were nights that turned into mornings.


Rollability with PS Vane KT88 Horizon:

I'm not going to say that grey plates are generally better or with blackplates.
The real thing is this, black plates have worked quite well and amazingly.
They are actually more neutral and natural in combination and also much more technical in terms of staging, mainly in the instrument reproduction it just bubbles out.
While the greyplates tended to be a little warmer in general and a little more musical in tone.
They also have a great and lasting production that tends to stay on the rounder side, and the instrumental presentation also feels more emotional here.
In the end, you decide for yourself what suits you anyway, but the overall influence and feedback was very good when comparing the two different types of discs.
What I really liked about the Ultimate amplifier is that it is very flexible in its circuitry.
That's why the 12AT7 worked well, while the 5751/6SL7 were a good deal better in terms of the sound spectrum, there was simply more power to be felt, much was more tangible.
You could hear that very well in the performance, staging, stage width, vocals, etc. In the end I changed some and unbiased driver tubes and just listened and enjoyed it.
The qualities of the driver tubes were almost negligible.
If you know your driver pool, you will be curious to test here and there what sounds best to you.
That's not to say that your amplifier can't do that either, because I think that if the circuit is generally equipped with a strong tube in the driver sector, there's no need to worry.
We'll see how the 6SN7 performs in the Feliks Euforia, I expect a bit of an opposite sound experience, so that everything will probably not be quite at the same level as on an amplifier that is also designed for KT88.
It will be a bit smoother, not quite have the sound density I guess.
The Ultimate amplifier also works a little differently to what you would expect from a standard amplifier, without going into detail, but consider carefully which driver tubes you can use.
A high Mu factor will thank you and these charming PS Vane KT88 Horizon will enchant you and reveal more strengths.
I have also tried various driver tubes in both New Stock and Nos. The Nos were a little better in the pairing because they add a little more analogue to the slightly more modern sound, rounding it off and giving it the necessary polish.
I also tried some New Stock but I wasn't quite as happy with it.
This is also an observation I've been making for a while that the New Stock output tubes don't have to be bad when you combine them with something from the Nos range.
You would be surprised how well it works, especially the tubes that have come on the market this year or last year have gone one better.


PS Vane Horizon with 12AT7 Mullard WA on Ultimate amplifier:

I chose Mullard 12AT7 WA as driver tube because it is the base for the amplifier, also because it is still a common tube today.
And this tube has an average gain of 50 Mu in the base.
Also one of the reasons why I chose this is that it usually goes well with Chinese or Japanese tubes when combined with something British.
This combination has a very good reverberant sound image and literally massages the ears, tonally it has a not only neutral sound image, the British added warmth fits together perfectly.
So that the vocals are authentic, crisp, coherent and at the same time not exaggerated, you can feel the emotions in the vocals of the song itself, which still offers a nice pleasant naturalness.
And that's the nice thing about these PS Vane KT88 Horizon, the vocals remain natural like never before, without being coloured or shrill, which is definitely one of the strengths of these tubes.
In terms of timbre, everything here is wonderfully harmonised, the instruments flow beautifully with each other on the beat, the attacks and percussion are right, the power of the piano is not only powerful but also authentic,
The saxophone is really strong, here I have the feeling that the saxophonist is in the room with me while he is playing.
Instrumentally, with the vocals, everything is in its place with very precise organisation of the room.
The plucking of the double bass on the left, the guitar on the right and the vocals in the centre and the way it all flows together harmonises here at the highest level.
It doesn't sound out of place or artificially produced, even the back row of instruments gets its attention, and here you realise very well how strong, how gentle, and how much attention you actually get in a song that you don't realise.
It reveals the depth and range here and also resolves it in a really clear way.
A good song for this is Ani Lennox - Unloyal, the first minute of which is a good example of what has been described.
Now we come to the bass, which has a very good response, great power and precision, it clearly reveals in some places in the song that it was not artificially added, but it is a bass that was inserted into the song.
So the illumination here is phenomenal, which I've never heard before, and my only criticism would be that it could have had a little more sub-bass to make it feel a bit better.
But otherwise everything else is good here, you can live with it because it is of the highest quality and also feels very tangible, it fits nicely into the picture of the stage and clearly defines its value here.
Here too it is almost emotional, you have a clear idea that the bass should now come and it comes with a very well dosed, exaggerated force into the picture of the stage, and it's just right, the grin on your face becomes wide.
The mid-range is also a very good place where you have to mention it remains grippy, authentic, lots of music, lots of power, emotional, coherent, the orchestra to feel, charming, refined, the details come nicely from the back row to the front and vice versa.
It is very well organised and to the point, the timing is right, the beat is right,
The treble range is also a beautiful icing on the cake, the way it extends and stretches in the room in a natural way, with plenty of air in the room and the reverb very nicely produced without being too much.
Never annoying,never too shrill or too much of a good thing and probably never will.All the glamour is there and fills the room with light,here you can only enjoy the sun rays of a mild warm coming spring shining in your face.

A good song where it is conveyed here is by Ann Nesby, Al Green - Put it on paper, Ann Nesby has something in the voice from Anita Baker when it goes from the middle to the top here you can make yourself a picture that there is no distortion or shrillness here.
But her whole power of her voice, this is also a song that describes very well the upper chapter after the song by Ani Lennox.
Emotionally at the beginning the clenched fist of the bass.the mentioned saxophone or trumpet that fits into the song without distortion and is so catchy.the hiiiii of the background singer and how they fit in,the low beat of the drums easy to feel,
the whole emotion of both singers.
And how the whole production is noticeable from top to bottom, where it goes nicely through the marrow and leg.

The whole stage is also very well presented here and, strangely enough, it is not fixed as we are used to, but moves with the music.
What I mean here is that you can hear very clearly how the song was intended to be recorded.
If it's wide it comes across wide, if the stage is narrower it comes across narrower, and here I think it's almost another secret that PS Vane has achieved with the KT88 Horizion that should be mentioned.
I can say that after the tube has been through a good 300 hours, it was one of the things I often noticed, in the previous song it was nice and wide and deep and in the next a little tighter, nice and tidy and precise as it should be.
That's not a flaw to clarify, on the contrary, it gives you a picture of how it was recorded in the studio, and it's the same with live recordings, which are breathtaking if the space allows it.
Look for MTV unplugged concerts of famous singers,Alicia Keys,Nirvana,Brian adams ect...these are great recordings and you will notice how the orchestra changes but the stage remains almost unchanged.
And later switch to another good live recording that you know personally.
The PS VAne KT88 Horizon is very far away from the tuning you know, be it Nos or New Stock, the team has done a good job here and has been very sensitive with the tuning, which has to be emphasised and mentioned again.
These tubes give you a very good idea of what music can sound and feel like, and they've moved away from the analytical way of revealing music that you might know from the other Ps Vane series.
It simply remains organic, linear, dynamic and seductive in sound with a pinch of refinement in the instrumental department, very organic and present vocals, very good detail reproduction in all levels, without ever being exaggerated.
And if you have any reservations about buying something Chinese, they are unjustified. I would say that PS Vane has taken on board and implemented criticism very well here, and this PS Vane KT88 serves the audiophile side excellently with all the demands.
Nothing more, nothing less.


Gec KT66 with 12 AT7 Mullard WA on Ultimate amplifier:

Well, what can I say, every king dies one day, and so it is here too, even if the comparison is somewhat disproportionate.
The tube specifications alone are certainly a little lower and below the actual KT88.
But it should give you a feeling of where the journey is going.
In terms of sound, it is still a wonderful tube as far as Gec is concerned, even the KT66, which still offers enjoyment.
Ultimately, people should be given the opportunity to decide and weigh up what they get for their money.
We know that Gec are unattainable in price for many genera.
Hence the comparison.
My first impression and feeling at the time was that the PS Vane KT88 Horizon was very close to the Gec KT66.
The direct comparison is pretty much 1 to 1, but it sounds a bit different.
The Gec KT66 delivers a certain timbre, voice and the typical British feel of the tubes of the time.
Also, the decay and reverb is still authentically true to the original, so even the little friend here is unrivalled by the PS Vane KT88.
The bass has a nice effect here, but I won't deny that the bass of the PS Vane KT88 Horizon has more definition and precision.
The Gec KT66 also rumbles better here and also bangs quite nicely, but the sub-bass I mentioned is definitely there, which I would have liked to have on the PS Vane KT88 Horizon.
It's fun here and goes down nicely into the lower cellar without any inhibitions.
In terms of vocals, phew, that was very difficult because both pairs don't give each other anything here, you have to listen carefully and be able to memorise them to say whether it's even better.
Here too, I would say that the Gec KT66 is tonally a touch more analogue than the PS Vane KT88 Horizon. The PS Vane KT88 Horizon is simply a bit more precise and defined in its emotions.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon in direct comparison to the Gec is also a bit more technical, while the Gec KT66 remains predominantly analogue and more on the musical side with a lot of qualities.
In terms of instrument presentation and staging and the way it integrates into the music, the Gec KT66 is clearly more analogue, but not quite as refined as the PS Vane KT88 Horizon in this respect.
The Gec KT66 is also a little softer, while the PS Vane KT88 Horizon is more engaged and also a little more open.
Here there was a little more substance, a little more power from the top and bottom end, the PS Vane KT88 Horizon plays a little clearer and more obvious with a little more illumination and clarity.
In terms of stage and holography, I have to mention the word analogue again with the Gec KT66, but it doesn't reach as deep and wide as the PS Vane KT88 Horizon does.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon goes into even more detail here.
In terms of low end, it's also very similar here, but here I prefer the PS Vane KT88 Horizon.
Because not only does it sound very refined up there, but it also simply gives much more air and space to breathe without being over-committed, and also has a little more precision and openness.
The Gec KT66 doesn't quite play at the same level as the PS Vane KT88 Horizon, even if it's not bad, you can live with it.
The Gec has a little less of everything, but it's still satisfying enough.
The Gec KT66 is definitely warmer than the PS Vane KT88 Horizon. I have to say, and still plays naturally enough, even if the PS Vane KT88 Horizon is even more natural here.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon delivers more emotion, especially in the vocals.


The king may have passed away, but the legend lives on here, and rightly so.
If you're asking yourself Gec KT66 or PS Vane KT88 Horizon? Well, you have to decide which suits your taste, it's the same if you want to take your wife out to dinner.
You have to know what your wife likes to eat to give her a nice evening.
It was difficult for me because each of the two couples here has really very very good qualities, what the other one is not so good at and the other one does better and vice versa.
It's not a mistake if you have both and you can switch to whatever mood you're in, and you'll be glad you did because you won't have to look back.
To those where the Gec KT66 remains untraceable and can also be found at a good price, the PS Vane KT88 Horizon play here at a more than very satisfactory level and result.
Not a must have, maybe more a nice to have if you can find the Gec KT66 at a good affordable price and condition.


Basic information for Feliks Euforia owners:

We know that the Feliks Euforia must not exceed a certain amperage with certain tube combinations, a KT88 needs 1.6 amperes and a 6SN7 0.6 amperes times two calculated we are at 4.4 amperes approximately.
The KT66 need a little less current, only 1.3a rounded up.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon with the Linlai 6SN7 Elite is the good news - no problems.
No distortion, no noise, no hum, everything is very quiet.
My Euforia is slightly different to yours as I have used different capacitors from Vcap under the sockets.
It gives a slightly different result compared to the standard capacitors in terms of sound, so keep that in mind.


PS Vane KT88 Horizon with Linlai 6SN7 Elite on Feliks Euforia:

Also here are the chosen Linlai 6SN7 Elitedriver tubes where today are very accessible and the review should offer a little more also a New Stock combination.
Also because my stock of good NOS tubes is a bit dry, the aim here is also to reveal the effects of choosing a New Stock combination.
There will certainly be further changes if you use NOS tubes as driver tubes.

What I notice here is that there is an audible change due to the amplifier topology, as a reminder the Ultimate amplifier is a set based amplifier and the Euforia is an OTL.
Feliks Euforia typically has a slightly romantic sound, but I don't have the words to describe how the music sounds on this amplifier.
Also because it didn't quite pick me up emotionally like on the Ultimate amplifier.I would have liked a little more commitment here, to the tangible in the music.The amplifier topologies are definitely responsible here.
But I will still try to do my best here, which is to be expected.
I hardly hear a changing stage depth or range, so that the room changes a little with the next song, which I found striking to mention.
I also notice that this combination is not quite as neutral but offers a little more warmth, but it remains sharp in sound, but also soft.
When I tested this tube in the ultimate amplifier, I had already raved about the beautiful vocals, which have remained and are definitely one of the strengths of the PS Vane KT88 Horizon.
It remains intimate, clearly defined, emotional, but also a little distant at times, which I would rather attribute to the precision of the PS Vane KT88 Horizon.
Because it reveals the position of the vocals and how the ensemble was put together in the recording.
The upper vocal range here remains beautifully smooth and doesn't get on your nerves for a second, it doesn't come across as too sharp or shrill, nor quirky.
The timbre is definitely good, even if I have personally experienced something where the macro focus has also carried you away, it is definitely there and fits smoothly into the scene, with feeling and calm.
However, there is a bit more width and instruments have a certain distance to each other, which can sometimes be a bit difficult to locate. for me personally, I also miss a little bit more the disintegration of the instruments.
This is definitely a personal preference and I know what it is and has nothing to do with the tube in general.
From a ratio point of view it is a positive thing that it sounds very good in the Euforia amplifier.
Let's come to the bass and it's really powerful here, very nice punch, very lush and controlled, has a good impact that remains very defined and can also go down into the sub-bass, definitely something that the Feliks Euforia amplifier lacks by default.
But here you get your money's worth and it makes you grin.
The mid-range is also well placed and dominates a little more than the lower levels, there is a very good punch here, and the instruments also get their final effect here and form the centre parallel to the vocals.
However, for my taste it lacks a bit of technicality and should be a bit more refined and expressive.
The auditory range is also very well dosed, nothing is sharp, shrill or analytical in this sense, but the imaging is missing a bit here for my taste, a bit more 3 dimensionality, more glamour and shimmer,
more air, the details are allowed to spread out in the room.
The stage here remains medium-sized in terms of the overall picture and the presentation is sharp and crisp, but also a little dry.

As a small note:

I would like to add one more thing, the choice of driver tube was not my favourite at the point I noticed afterwards. So take it with a grain of salt.
Later I switched to Nos tubes in the driver section to 6SN7 Elevam, which are Japanese tubes that are very rare, and things changed abruptly for the better.
Much more engaged, more refined, more power at all levels and more dynamic too, more definition and detail, all in all a step above.
Pair the whole thing with RCA 5692 or other good 6SN7, cheap but also good 6V6 this combination with the PS Vane KT88 Horizon gets a completely different meaning in the Feliks Euforia amplifier.
If you are wondering whether a set of PS Vane KT88 Horizon would be worthwhile in the Feliks Euforia amplifier, then I say yes, and if you know your Feliks Euforia well, you know that there are sometimes combinations that don't always harmonise.
I was really shocked when I used this Japanese 6SN7 how good this combination is, much better and clearer timbre with a very good grip and beat, everything is much more tangible and fulfilling for the ears.
If you have read above in the introduction the section on rollability with PS Vane KT88 Horizon, I indirectly make no secret of the fact that the pairing with Nos tubes offers the best combination in terms of sound than with New Stock.
I personally hear quite the same on the Feliks Euforia as on the Ultimate amplifier, where at first I thought it was a topology thing among amplifiers.
But no, I was wrong, it's incredibly close to each other that you can neglect the topology here.
So you can scroll back up to read what's in the Ultimate section again, it's almost 1:1, subtly different here and there in certain parts of the song, a different way of presenting things here and there, but not much more.
It shows how well the PS Vane KT88 Horizon also performs in the Euforia amplifier, not only worthwhile but really good with the right pairing, a tube to fall in love with, the PS Vane KT88 Horizon, because it performs absolutely the same in both amplifiers, without any problems.

Gec KT66 with Linlai 6SN7 Elite:

Let's see how the king performs and presents itself here.
First of all, this is a good combination, the Linlai 6SN7 Elite bend much better this time, as you can see synergy thing, and also as a note NOS tubes combined with New Stock tubes, this time it is the other way round from the order.
And there are very good results to report.
What I immediately notice is that there is more flow in the music, less sterile than with the PS Vane KT88 Horizon combined with the Linlai 6SN7 Elite tubes.
Also overall more engaging in presentation, good refinement, charming with a touch of romance, and good analogue sound, quite similar to when the 6SN7 Elevam was combined with the PS Vane KT88 Horizon.
The staging is wonderfully presented, timing is right, dynamics are also very dynamic in their presentation, the PS Vane KT88 Horizon in comparison are a little sharper here, the information is a little clearer to retrieve.
Vocally in the vocals I feel with the Gec KT66 a breeze more the emotions also the pain out compared to the PS Vane KT88 Horizon but they are very very close and claim if you get the right driver tube here again, it will be really tight.
And go one step further where I would say that the PS Vane KT88 Horizon will take it up a notch vocally.
My reasoning for this is that the PS Vane KT88 Horizon offers excellent sharpness, perhaps a slightly more modern sound, and I know from the Ultimate amplifier that it can really spark out emotions.
The Linlai 6SN7 Elite also does a remarkable job here, nothing sounds too sharp or too shrill, not even at the top end, and you are very well involved in the vocal image.
No difference between male and female vocals.
I don't have much to criticise about the timbre, it fits together very well and fits nicely into the picture.personally I lack a bit of refinement to feel it.compared to the PS Vane KT88 Horizon at eye level, air upwards is possible.
In terms of bass, the crown goes to the PS Vane KT88 Horizon, in comparison a bass monster you could say, because here the definition, drawing and presentation is much better, even if it may seem more modern here, it fits the music better.
The Gec KT66 plays a bit crisper here, and doesn't go down into the sub-bass as nicely as I have experienced on the Ultimate amplifier, for example.
The Gec KT66 knocks a little more here and could be a little slightly annoying, the PS Vane KT88 Horizon was more relaxed at this point and was fun to listen to and enjoy.
The mid-range is definitely warmer on the Gec KT66 compared to the PS Vane KT88 Horizon, more on the relaxed side, great rhythm, you are very well involved and picked up.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon plays much sharper, has a bit more bite and concentration and you can still relax and let things sink in.
The treble range is also not exhausting and has enough air in the room and shimmers beautifully with the Gec KT66 in a nice relaxed way.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon were also better with Nos tubes in direct comparison later, I found it noticeable that they were faster at the top end, which I wish was better on the Feliks Euforia.
I personally felt that the timing could have been a little quieter, but I think there is still room for improvement with different Nos tubes.
In terms of the stage, the Gec KT66 remains a bit dull when changing songs, the PS Vane KT88 Horizon gave much more feedback here, but it's okay, the stage is otherwise very well placed with the Gec KT66 in a medium size.
The Gec KT66 is definitely very analogue compared to the PS Vane KT88 Horizon, but that all has its price, its advantages and disadvantages, but also something that belongs more in the category of personal preference.

Anecdote:

Rarely have I been so divided, of course the comparison between KT66 and KT88 is where you have question marks, but I'm completely on your side.
It was also really difficult and took me several hours of listening to filter things out more clearly.
Ultimately, I wanted to be able to show where things are going, what was better in the past and where New Stock has improved and developed.
In addition, SET VS OTL amplifier topology comes into play, which has made it really difficult with the PS Vane KT88 Horizon and that is not a flaw in itself, but something good because it has been reduced to a subtle level.
With the Gec KT66 it was much more obvious and I was able to hear the pros and cons much better and differentiate between them.
With the PS Vane KT88 Horizon it was different, the presentation has shifted a little and offered quality here and there, a little more sharpness, better texture, more homogeneous staging, and the hmmm the vocals are so catchy and noticeable.
This actually shows how much work the PS Vane team has put in and you have to recognise that they have created something that knocks King Gec off his throne, at least for me.
If you have the means and are in possession of Gec tubes decide for yourself and maybe you share my opinion or not you are welcome to comment.

Conclusion:

My personal opinion is that I liked the PS Vane KT88 Horizon better on the Ultimate amplifier based on the SET.
Because it was just that little bit more grippy, involved, refined and holographic, but it's a personal preference, in fact I might buy another set and keep it safe in the drawer with a clear conscience.
Apart from the excellent work that has been done here, you get a lot for your money, certainly not a Gec sound but very close with a more neutral rather than typical British warmth or treacle sound.
Even old analogue recordings still sound very good and offer something here that you have not yet uncovered, as if your vehicle or piece of furniture had been freshly polished.
What I really liked was the vocals which were so engaging, delivered and felt emotion on an intoxicating level, I also liked the stage swapping between song changes which was very astute here with beautiful resolution and presentation.
Even in stereo mode with loudspeakers this was noticeable.a lot of things become clear when you have bought and played these tubes.because there is so much more to how these tubes sound and you are lost for words.you understand it when you hear it.
Also the rolling ability has to be mentioned again how it blends in mercilessly and gets the best out of everything.
I'm also very happy that these are tubes that cater more to the audiophile side, tuned for the audiophile who wants to relax and enjoy a glass of whisky, gin, wine, whatever, in his hand.
Or simply over a good meal with music playing on the side.
In fact, I had expected the Feliks Euforia amplifier to have a fairly neutral sound due to the neutral OTL tuning, which was not the case. Especially if you take my tip of combining with Nos tubes to heart.
I think that they are also a very good addition not only in warm tuned systems but also in neutral systems.
The PS Vane KT88 Horizon is my personal favourite, before that I dipped into the KT88 Sevetlana wingend C, which is not as great as the PS Vane KT88 Horizon in comparison.
In fact, it took a long time to write the first words for a review because it is a sound that has captivated me for a long time and still does.

Introduction

Not many vacuum tube manufacturers are left these days that tubes are considered outdated and old-fashioned. However a lot of audiophiles think that only tubes can make audio sound like real music and not just high fidelity sound.

There are four major vacuum tube factories that produce all audio tubes currently made and are then sold under several different brand names.

Psvane vacuum tubes

One of them is the Chinese Psvane, a brand that was established by a group of designers that spun off the government-owned Shuguang group, where they used to work, and formed their own company.

Psvane is by now a well known, high-end manufacturer specializing in the production of vacuum tubes for all kinds of audio applications. Their product line includes a wide range of vacuum tubes, from classic replicas to innovative designs, aiming to provide the best choices for every user seeking ultimate sound quality.

The hierarchy of the Psvane audio tubes is as follows:

Basic - “Hi-Fi” and “UK”
Selected - “Horizon” and “Art”
Premium - “Western Electric” and “Acme”

Psvane Horizon

The Horizon series is their latest line, featuring a more neutral sound compared to the Art Series and incorporating the latest technologies, such as HPC-T and HPC-X anode coating technologies, alongside new high-density ceramic tube base materials. They have also reinforced the internal structures in their mini tubes to ensure exceptional durability. Every Horizon series product undergoes rigorous quality control and burn-in testing to guarantee unmatched stability and reliability.



Technical stuff

The HPC-T anode coating technology is designed to address issues related to anode heat dissipation and thermal stress. This innovation reduces signal distortion, ensures stable output, and enhances sound purity.

Additionally, the HPC-X anode coating technology increases anode and output power while also absorbing excess gasses, thereby extending the tube’s lifespan.

The bases are made with increased-density ceramics which reduce conductivity and dampening, enhancing overall stability.

The Horizon series includes the following types of tubes:



Psvane Horizon 12AU7-AT and EL84-AT

The 12AU7, otherwise known as ECC82, is a miniature nine-pin medium-gain dual triode vacuum tube usually found in pre-amplification stages and guitar amplifiers.

The EL84 pentode power tube was released in the early 1950's and originally intended for use as an inexpensive alternative to the larger power tubes of the time. Shortly afterwards there was a large selection of stereo hifi tube amplifiers using them and at that same time, Vox began using the EL84 in their guitar amplifiers.



The xDuoo TA-84 headphones amplifier

An audio device that uses both these types of tubes is the Drop + X-Duoo TA-84 , an Output Transformerless (OTL) headphones amplifier. The TA-84 utilizes dual ECC82 tubes in the preamp and dual EL84 in the power amplifier.

The TA-84 possesses a delightful and highly enjoyable sonic signature that combines the enchanting sound of tube amplifiers with the technical prowess of solid-state amplifiers of the same category. In case you are not familiar with this amplifier, I strongly advise you to read my review so you get a general notion of how it sounds.

The xDuoo TA-84 comes bundled with Psvane tubes of their Hi-Fi series and in my case both the 12AU7 were microphonic and produced hissing and background noise. So I decided to replace all tubes, pre and power, with their equivalents made by JJ Electronic. My listening impressions that you can read in the TA-84 review refer to these tubes that I have now replaced with the Psvane Horizon 12AU7-AT and EL84-AT to compare and check their audio performance.



Psvane 12AU7-AT and EL84-AT / Audio stuff

The tubes underwent 150 hours of burn-in time to ensure that they have reached their optimal working condition. For this review I have used the Sennheiser HD660S2 and Drop + Sennheiser HD8xx headphones.

Listening with the Psvane Horizon tubes was a real surprise and offered great pleasure because they performed much better and surpassed in sound quality the already good sounding JJ Electronic tubes.

First thing to note is that both pre and power tubes are dead silent and don't produce more hissing or background noise than the transformer of the power supply. The tubes are not very microphonic, you have to tap them with your fingers to make them produce noise.

The technical performance is superior to that of the JJ Electronic, the Psvane Horizon tubes can produce the whole frequency range, from the deep lows up to the highest treble without rolling-off. The frequency response, at least the audible one because I don't have tools to do measurements, is ruler flat without any deviations from linearity. Their sound is exceptionally transparent and precise with class-leading definition and crystalline clarity.

The bass is fast, tight and controlled with excellent layering and definition while at the same time it has the weight, the fullness and the elasticity that only high quality tubes can produce. The bass has more liquidity, natural echo and visceral textures than the JJ tubes that in comparison sound a touch dry and lifeless. The EL84 power tubes do miracles when it comes to the dynamic range and raw impact of the low-end as they have the muscle to make your headphones sound punchy and impactful.

The Psvane Horizon technical behavior is strongly reminiscent of solid state designs but at the same time they offer tons of musicality and tube magic, especially when it comes to their mid-range. Except for their colorful harmonies and the wealth of overtones, they also make vocals sound eerie and the singers appear larger and more realistic than with the JJ tubes.



The treble is vivid and energetic but smooth and polite. Contrary to most people's belief, tubes can sound very bright and harsh but this is not happening with the Horizon's which excel in detail retrieval and resolution while sounding natural without brightness or artificiality. The Horizon tubes are also very capable of producing a grand, holographic and immersive soundscape while excelling in imaging and positioning accuracy.

Their sound is euphonic and effortless but not mushy or syrupy, technicalities are married with musicality to offer the best of both worlds. The Psvane Horizon tubes are a highly recommended upgrade for the xDuoo TA-84 amplifier and any other compatible audio application.



Psvane Horizon KT88-AT

The KT88 is a beam output tetrode tube with an octal base and power that can be as high as 50W, for a pair, with very low distortion. The KT88 vacuum tube is considered to be one of the best sounding power tubes for HiFi tube amplifiers. The Psvane Acme KT88 tubes are considered among the finest sounding on the market and now Psvane has made the Horizon KT88-AT as a more affordable option.



Lab 12 integre4 MK2 - Tube integrated amplifier

Lab 12 is a boutique Greek audio company that specializes in tube gear with products that have earned worldwide recognition among audiophiles and reviewers.

The integre4 MK2 is a transformer coupled, integrated amplifier that can handle the KT170, the most powerful tube in production, while it is also compatible with 6550, EL34, KT88, KT120 and KT150 tubes. I own the newest version with dual toroidal transformers in the power supply and custom-made output transformers. To get familiar with this amplifier please check my reviews here and here.

For more difficult loads I use the Tung Sol KT170 tubes but my favorites ones are the Psvane EL34-PH, one of the most musical sounding tubes of current production.

The KT88-AT were left playing music for more than 150 hours to let them reach their optimal performance. For the listening evaluation I used the Audio Physic Spark, three way stand-mount speakers.



Psvane Horizon KT88-AT / Audio stuff

The Psvane Horizon KT88 tubes strike the perfect balance between the solid-state-like technical prowess and dynamic power of the KT170 with the liquidity and the deep musicality of the EL34. They are powerful enough to drive difficult speaker loads without breaking a sweat, they sound crystal clear and transparent with linear frequency response and are exceptionally resolving and refined.

The KT88 are more capable in producing impactful, tight and controlled bass than the EL34 while they don't sound as dry as the KT170. Their mid-range might not be as euphonic and harmonious as with the EL34 but it is more colorful and lush than the KT170. They blend together the outstanding technicalities of the KT170 with the class-leading timbre realism of the EL34 in a sound that is perfectly balanced to satisfy everyone who seeks the best of both worlds. The Psvane Horizon KT88 is a tube that offers deep, visceral and impactful bass, crystal clear and well defined mid-range with exceptional tonal accuracy and precision, as well as extended and energetic treble with plenty of detail retrieval without sounding clinical or solid-state.

Where the KT88 outperforms both the EL34 and the KT170 is in the outward projection of the sound and the size of the soundstage both in depth and width. The KT170 is slightly more accurate when it comes to imaging and separation while the EL34 makes for a more intimate listening experience but the KT88 is the more holographic and immersive with a soundstage that reaches beyond the boundaries of the speakers, offering an exceptionally realistic reproduction of the musical event.

This is a tube that feels at home with all kinds of music and can handle everything, from classical to heavy metal and electronic music and still sound extremely satisfying. While I am a great fan of the EL84-PH, I found myself not willing to part with the Psvane Horizon KT88.



Conclusion

The Psvane Horizon tubes strike the perfect balance between solid-state technicalities and tube musicality. Their sonic performance is truly remarkable without anything negative of note while they are absolutely silent and free of background noise. They are also very well made with excellent thermal stability and they promise hundreds of hours of playing time before they die.

The Psvane Horizon represents the apogee of tube manufacturing, a great current production tube with special sound qualities that can match the best specimens of the past but without the risk of poor quality control and the insanely high prices of vintage tubes.

The tubes were kindly provided free of charge in exchange for an honest review. The prices for matched pairs are KT88 $145.99, EL84 $49.991, 2AU7 $54.99. You can buy them from Amazon. KT88 - EL84 - 12AU7.