RADAR is a price search engine. We link to the original listing — we never sell direct. Transactions happen on the source site.
Angeboten wird „GEC kt88 Nos nib 8 st.!“ von Diverse / Andere als Gebrauchtgerät aus der Kategorie „Röhren für Endstufen“ bei audio-markt.de - dem Online-Marktplatz für High-End. Das Inserat mit der Nummer 4720758372 endet am 27.09.2026 um 12:33 Uhr.
At €3,000, this is ambitious but not crazy for a genuine NOS GEC KT88; original GEC/Mullard-era KT88s are collector-grade tubes, and used-market pricing for originals can run far above modern production, with premium NOS examples often treated more like rare inventory than routine consumables. It is best seen as top-end collector pricing unless the set is especially well matched and documented.
That said, these are famous for a big, authoritative sound, excellent linearity, and strong long-term appeal in serious hi-fi and vintage valve gear. The buy gets more attractive if the listing includes matched testing, low hours, original boxes, or provenance from one owner. At this price, I would want clear photos of the getters, pins, and markings, plus proof they test strongly and are genuinely original GEC stock.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
GEC, the General Electric Company, traces its origins to 1886 in London, when German-Jewish immigrant Gustav Binswanger (later Byng) established an electrical goods wholesaler that evolved into the General Electric Apparatus Company. Joined by Hugo Hirst, the firm incorporated as a private limited company in 1889 and rapidly expanded, opening its landmark Witton Works factory near Birmingham in 1902. By the early 20th century, GEC had become a cornerstone of Britain's electrical industry, supplying everything from lamps and meters to wartime radios and searchlights, cementing its heritage as a pioneering industrial giant.
In audio and hi-fi, GEC focused on consumer electronics like radios under the Gecophone brand from 1922, later simplified to G.E.C. in 1930, and innovative metal cone loudspeakers introduced in the early 1950s. These alloy cone drivers represented cutting-edge technology, outperforming contemporaries in musical reproduction. The company also produced valve table receivers, such as the 1959 BC402 model, alongside broader electronics like televisions, though hi-fi components formed a niche within its vast portfolio.
Today, GEC holds a vintage-collector position in the hi-fi market, revered by enthusiasts for its mid-20th-century speakers and radios rather than modern high-end or mid-tier production. No longer active in contemporary audio manufacturing, its legacy appeals to niche buyers seeking rare, historically advanced pieces that capture Britain's postwar audio innovation.
See all GEC listings on RADAR.
