Shuguang KT-88Z Black Treasure Tubes
Shuguang's Black Treasure KT-88 tubes are being run-in on my Cary amp at the moment. Visually striking, these tubes are classy. Launched to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Shuguang, the Black Treasure tubes are said to have 60 differences compared to their normal line. The most obvious is the black high polymer compound carbon coating inside. Initial testing upon power up resulted in a loud crackling distortion that lasted about 2 seconds before disappearing one one channel. It never happened again, so I would not put too much into that. Trawling the internet revealed user accounts of long tedious burn in (200-600 hours), with an accompanying roller coaster ride in quality in the process. It kinds of reminds me of my Mundorf Silver-in-oil burn-in experience. Thankfully, the Black Treasure sounded quite good from the outset. With about 10 hours under their belt, initial impressions are that of exquisite refinement and quietness. Compared to the Genalex re-issues ...