KT88 vs The 800b tube in amplifiers.
There are a lot of subtle intricacies that make tube amp listening so fun. Sorting through all the options can be a little bit daunting however. This week on The Occasional Podcast, Kevin Hayes of VAC helps to clear the air on some of the more potent issues, including some of the differences between KT88 tubes and the legendary 800b.
In addition to a little history and background, he chats about his love for analog amplification, the benefits of Class A, and why tube amplifiers can be so expensive. Kevin manages to shed a lot of light on some of the more obscure options for audiophiles, and doesn’t throw much shade in the process. Tube amplifiers continue to be a hot topic of conversation in the space, so even as digital sources are evolving at a high clip, some still push those electronics through tubes on their way to the transducer. A great listen this week for anyone interesting in tube amplifiers or even seasoned owners looking for some more information.
The Occasional Podcast recently discussed the new Mofi Electronics Sourcepoint v10 with Andrew Jones, The Top 10 Best Speakers Of 2025, the future of the CD, the idea that the term “Yacht Rock” might be offensive to some, interviewed Stereophile’s Michael Trei, and covered AXPONA 2025, The Best Vintage Amplifiers To Buy At A Garage Sale, interviewed Jason Stoddard of Schiit Audio, and covered the future of digital and class D with Michal Jurewicz of Mytek and High End Munich 2024, but previous episodes include how tos, tips, tricks and education in all things high fidelity audio from episodes like an Interview With John Devore, 3 things to know about streaming audio, and 5 things to consider when buying a tube amplifier There is also a great interview with Steve Guttenberg, how to’s and more from audio’s greatest talents, including Michael Fremer, another interesting conversation about the History Of The BBC’s LS3/5a Loudspeaker, A Beginner’s Guide To Tube Amplifiers and A View From The Booth: Reference Systems, Accuracy & Why Audiophiles Love Jazz So Much: including rare interview with the late audio legend engineer Al Schmitt. You can also find episodes covering British HiFi, Subwoofers/Setup/Tips, and the how to: Budgeting From Entry Level To High End. Fan favorite What Is Mastering? What Happens When An Album Is Remastered? is also still available as well. If you are interested in further exploring the analog realm, the Guide To Buying A Turntable (and records) might point you in the right direction.
Options to stream this week’s episode the KT88 vs the 300b with Kevin Hayes of VAC, direct from the embed below or subscribe to the show on your favorite podcast platform including iTunes, Android, Google, Deezer, Spotify, iHeartRadio and more.