KT-150 a reality?

I don't know how it works in US, but in Europe You can verify possibility of replace KT88 on KT120 or KT150 by serial no. The KT150s has more air and tube musicality than older version, and with hard driven loudspeakers sounds better then the newest Crossfire.
 
Jay, that was my impression of KT150 and KT120. They produce stronger bass, but overall quality in my set ups was not as good. KT150 fared better than KT120, which practically alway sounded dry and not very open. KT150 positioned between KT88 and KT120 in overall sound quality. However, it would depend on music type. In my tests KT150 sounded superb for hard rock, rock and pop, but lost in classical and jazz - especially vocal jazz showed weakness of both 120&150 in midrange. Now, there are multiple KT120 out there, not only from Tung-Sol, I haven't tried them and can't comment.
 
The sound depends on correct, or incorrect implementation - Ayon Spirit 3 on KT150 sounds (IMO) much better than on KT88 and Jadis i50 (on KT150 too) is better than i35 (on KT120). Of course I love Rammstein, Megadeth and Dragon force, but I love too L'Arpeggiata & Youn Sun Nah, so both versions were tested on very wide spectrum of music.
 
I'm intrigued...80 watts per channel is a big uptick in power. What speakers where you driving? Also, is that a USB input to the right of the volume knob? I'd love to read the review when it is out.

Thanks.
 
Jay said:
I'm intrigued...80 watts per channel is a big uptick in power. What speakers where you driving? Also, is that a USB input to the right of the volume knob? I'd love to read the review when it is out.

Thanks.
Click to expand...

Near volume knob is the volume display not USB input ;-)
 
USB port was in older version on the rear and only for service :-/ Here You are - photo from my previous version of Spirit 3 review:

Ayon_Spirit_3-0008.jpg
 
SoundRebels - I have an Octave V110 and the KT120's to me sounded fantastic when they had less than 20 hrs on them. They reminded me a lot of original Tung Sol 6550 solid black plates. After that the bass tightened up too much and the mids got extremely forward. Sounded too much like SS (like the EAT KT88 Diamonds except the EAT KT88 has a lot more and much better detail). I was hoping the the Bass and Mids would more like the TS black plates with the KT150's. Last I also like the Ei KT90 type 2 a lot. Do you have any experience with the original TS and or the Ei KT90? If so how would you compare them?
Thanks
George
 
I don't think you can make comparisons when you use KT-120 or KT-150 tubes as drop-in replacements in amps originally voiced with Kt-88s or 6550s. Transformers, driver tubes and circuit designs would likely have been all different with a different output tube type. In other words, the KT-150s (or KT-120s) may sound very different in amps designed with those tubes in mind vs. when you drop them in an amp that was designed originally with a KT-88 or 6550 or what have you. Just my 2c.
 
octadyndude - cmalak has wright. If producer/designer didn't anticipate to use KT120 or KT150 it's not good idea to try it into 1:1 set-up. Even Ayon recommend to check by serial no. which item is OK, and which must be modified in factory/dealer store.
 
The Octave V110 is designed for the KT120 and it is the standard tube. Andreas Hoffman (owner and designer of Octave) is testing the KT150 in the V110.
 
Octadyndude - We're talking today with Polish Octave dealer about possibility of replacement 120 by 150 in V110 and during next few days we should have official producer info.
 
That would be great. I'm also waiting for Dynaudio (North American distributor of Octave) response. They were the ones that told me Andreas was testing the KT150 back in late October.
 
OK, We've got official info directly from Andreas - there is no problem with KT150 application on V110 ... except one thing - dedicated tube cage is too small for these tubes, but ... who cares ;-)
 
I e-mailed Dynaudio again asking if Andreas would sell KT150's. This is the answer I got.
Dear George,
At this point Andreas is not shipping any units with the KT150's so he would not have any in stock however he really likes the KT150 and is considering a new version of the V80 that will utilize the full power capability of the KT150, designed with all new circuitry. You can currently use the KT150 in any of the units that ship with the KT120 and realize the sonic differences but you would not really experience any power benefits as these units and their power supplies are maximized for the KT120. I will definitely keep you and Tyler updated as to how progress on this tube.
Click to expand...
So as I read from this there maybe and new model designed just for the KT150's.
Just great - another upgrade :skeptical:
 
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