KT-150's in Conrad Johnson amps?

joeinid

joeinid

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A brave soul from the Audiogon forum mentioned he swapped in KT-150's into his Conrad-Johnson Premier Twelve mono amps. I know one user is not enough of a sample but I am very curious.

Here is the quote:

"Call me a rebel CJ told me flat out NO, but I just replaced the kt120's in my CJ Premier 12's with kt150's, 60 hours in no issues, been monitoring the transformers to see if they get hot, no issues. the sonic difference is astounding in my system. I have had these amps for 18 years, and have run 3 brands of 6550's, 3 brands of kt88's, for almost 3 years kt120's. I switched to kt120's because of better bass and better dynamics, but I always felt they brought a little touch of electronic edge, I didn't know if that was coming from somewhere else in the chain. Back to the 150's, the sound is so dramatically better, I will never go back unless my amps blow up or I do. Dynamics like nothing I have ever heard, no grain or edge, best bass, best and deepest soundstage ever and most musical"
 
joeinid said:
A brave soul from the Audiogon forum mentioned he swapped in KT-150's into his Conrad-Johnson Premier Twelve mono amps. I know one user is not enough of a sample but I am very curious.

Here is the quote:

"Call me a rebel CJ told me flat out NO, but I just replaced the kt120's in my CJ Premier 12's with kt150's, 60 hours in no issues, been monitoring the transformers to see if they get hot, no issues. the sonic difference is astounding in my system. I have had these amps for 18 years, and have run 3 brands of 6550's, 3 brands of kt88's, for almost 3 years kt120's. I switched to kt120's because of better bass and better dynamics, but I always felt they brought a little touch of electronic edge, I didn't know if that was coming from somewhere else in the chain. Back to the 150's, the sound is so dramatically better, I will never go back unless my amps blow up or I do. Dynamics like nothing I have ever heard, no grain or edge, best bass, best and deepest soundstage ever and most musical"
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Yes Lew said absolutely not.

What edge?
 
Myles B. Astor said:
Yes Lew said absolutely not.

What edge?
Click to expand...

Some people claim they hear an 'edge' with KT-120 tubes. I think the KT-120s are an improvement over currently available 6550/KT-88 tubes (and no, I haven't heard some of the Chinese KT-88s that some people are paying big money for. I don't shop at WalMart and I don't buy Chinese tubes).
 
I don't hear that either. To me my GAT and ART amps are the least electronic and smoothest sounding gear.

Myles B. Astor said:
Yes Lew said absolutely not.

What edge?
Click to expand...

mep said:
Some people claim they hear an 'edge' with KT-120 tubes. I think the KT-120s are an improvement over currently available 6550/KT-88 tubes (and no, I haven't heard some of the Chinese KT-88s that some people are paying big money for. I don't shop at WalMart and I don't buy Chinese tubes).
Click to expand...
 
Cheap amp stands, unfortunately. With all my gear, I keep moving stuff around. I know that I need to focus on isolation and cables. I'm not getting the most from my gear. I truly need a great rack too. When I start to get some funds up, it ends up going to more gear and not the finishing touches needed.

Myles B. Astor said:
Joe what do you have your GAT sitting on?
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joeinid said:
Cheap amp stands, unfortunately. With all my gear, I keep moving stuff around. I know that I need to focus on isolation and cables. I'm not getting the most from my gear. I truly need a great rack too. When I start to get some funds up, it ends up going to more gear and not the finishing touches needed.
Click to expand...

Yes you are not getting all that you can out of your investment otherwise. You need to get the GAT on a SRA Ohio Class XL+2 base or you haven't heard 1/2 of what the piece can do.
 
I had them for my Burmester monos.

I think I have a new New Years resolution :) I do believe it's time to give them what they need to shine.

Myles B. Astor said:
Yes you are not getting all that you can out of your investment otherwise. You need to get the GAT on a SRA Ohio Class XL+2 base or you haven't heard 1/2 of what the piece can do.
Click to expand...
 
So how much does an SRA Ohio Class XL+2 base cost?
 
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On the left under the Doshi is the less expensive SRA Isobase; under the Classic Direct is the Ohio Class XL+2 base. The Ohio Class base is good down to 0.5 Hz.










DSC_0024.JPG
 
joeinid said:
$4K each and are calibrated to your amps. Prices may have gone up since I had my Burmester monos with these stands.

"Each Ohio Class XL+² is hand built and because of the different parameters involved can range in price from about $1,000 each to as much as $8,000 each"

Silent Running Audio?s Ohio Class XL+² Equipment Platforms ? Reviews | TONEAudio MAGAZINE
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My guess is slightly less. :) Probably in the area of $3-3500. (Still less than any air isolation solution and maybe as good or better.) The GAT requires a little smaller base than does the Burmester. :)
 
I should have kept my bases and just had them recalibrated.
 
Joe,

I am with Myles on this one. I do not have the SRA Ohio Class bases, though i am told by many they are stupendous. In my case, i use HRS M3 base with 6 HRS nimbus couplers and 3 HRS large DPX (double thickness) damping plates on top plus an Artesania damping plate. I also use 2 EAT tube dampers. Basically an 'isolation sandwich'...and it really improved the solidity of the sound of the GAT (a lot), also stilled the images and providing a much 'stronger signal' in terms of again that solidity.

One man's experience.
 
LL21 said:
Joe,

I am with Myles on this one. I do not have the SRA Ohio Class bases, though i am told by many they are stupendous. In my case, i use HRS M3 base with 6 HRS nimbus couplers and 3 HRS large DPX (double thickness) damping plates on top plus an Artesania damping plate. I also use 2 EAT tube dampers. Basically an 'isolation sandwich'...and it really improved the solidity of the sound of the GAT (a lot), also stilled the images and providing a much 'stronger signal' in terms of again that solidity.

One man's experience.
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EAT tube dampers? New one on me. Have look those up Lloyd.

Lloyd definitely nailed it. The bases double the unit's dynamics and really drop the noise floor. Less noise = more information. Go figure as the GAT only has two tubes. My theory? Teflon caps are microphonic.
 
The EAT dampers are a tight fit but yes, they are worth it.

I was not so smart selling the SRA stands. I was easily able to recoup my funds and jumped only to regret it now. Live and learn.

Thanks guys.

musichall_eat_eat.jpg


AEATCOOLDAMPER.jpg


Myles B. Astor said:
EAT tube dampers? New one on me. Have look those up Lloyd.

Lloyd definitely nailed it. The bases double the unit's dynamics and really drop the noise floor. Less noise = more information. Go figure as the GAT only has two tubes. My theory? Teflon caps are microphonic.
Click to expand...
 
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Duh, of course. I just forgot because ordered my EAT tubes without the dampers because the rings were incompatible with my Doshi phono section.
 
Wow...its been a while since i was on this forum and thread! Glad to hear people are enjoying EAT tube dampers!
 
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