KT150 amps

Mike

Mike

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I'm a big fan of this tube ever since I first heard it in the GS150. I want to see what KT150 amps are out there.

I can think of Ayon, ARC, PrimaLuna, Octave, Doshi.

I know in some cases you can pop in the KT150 in lieu of a KT120, but I'm speaking about amps made/optimized for the KT150 tube.

Any others come to mind?




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I would like to know what amps are actually optimized for the KT-150 vice being compatible. Most amps aren't taking advantage of the output power that is possible with a pair of them let alone a quad. You need a bigger power transformer and bigger output transformers.
 
mep said:
I would like to know what amps are actually optimized for the KT-150 vice being compatible. Most amps aren't taking advantage of the output power that is possible with a pair of them let alone a quad. You need a bigger power transformer and bigger output transformers.
Click to expand...

Agreed
 
mep said:
I would like to know what amps are actually optimized for the KT-150 vice being compatible. Most amps aren't taking advantage of the output power that is possible with a pair of them let alone a quad. You need a bigger power transformer and bigger output transformers.
Click to expand...

What is the maximum power that a pair/channel could output? Obviously it would not be good to run them full out. What is a good design max?
 
I wish I could run KT-150 in my Ray Lumley M-100 mono amps but they are designed for KT-88 (pushed pretty hard) to make 100w each amp. They are running fine with KT-120 but I don't want to risk burning out the transformers with the even higher filament current. They do sound stronger with the KT-120's, fuller bass and more dynamic. I would imagine that with KT-150's they would be even more so.
 
does more bass, also mean a bit "darker" or "warmer" sound - or only more deepness?
 
Dear Dizzie, Here is the answer to the question you asked. :heart::heart: Dizzie

From the Tungsol website:

With a massive plate dissipation of 70 watts, the Tung-Sol KT150 is the most powerful octal beam tetrode ever produced. A pair of KT150s can allow an amplifier with a power output approaching 300 watts to be built.

The Tung-Sol KT150 glass envelope is a special egg shaped balloon that was developed to improve thermal dissipation and maintain a superior vacuum for the best sound. The fact that the glass envelope has no flat sides means the Tung-Sol KT150 has no problems with microphonics.
 
I am not lacking any air or extension on top, the bass just sounds a little more powerful and maybe a little deeper. It would have been interesting to just put the KT-120 in one amp and keep the KT-88 in the other to compare but the KT-88 had quite a few hours on them already so maybe not a fair comparison.

The main reason I switched to KT-120 was a reliability issue. I went through three Gold LIon KT-88's in one year (burned out) until I switched to the KT-120. I've been using the KT-120's for a few years now and I haven't lost a tube since. And I like the sound with them as well. I suspect my tube amps are running a pair of KT-88's too close to their limits to get 100w out of them.

I also have a Beard P-100 tube amp that uses 4 KT-88's so I can use my spare KT-88's there. It hasn't blown any tubes but I haven't used it as much as the Ray Lumley's either. The Ray Lumley's seem a little more transparent than the Beard but they have been serviced within the last five years. The Beard is still all stock as far as I can tell.

I wish I could use the KT-150 but I just can't take the risk of burning out my Partridge transformers.
 
Ideally, I want true KT150 amps. Amps designed and optimized for the KT150's. Not easy to find.


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I agree, that would be the best. I only commented on my experiences with using more powerful tubes than what an amp was designed for as it is possible but one must weigh the risks.

Plus an amp must be designed for the KT-150 to get the most out of the tube. If I put KT-150's in my KT-88 designed amps I would still only get at most 100w with a pair instead of 150w continuous But there would be more power available for peaks and transients. I believe they called it headroom in the old days.
 
mep said:
I would like to know what amps are actually optimized for the KT-150 vice being compatible. Most amps aren't taking advantage of the output power that is possible with a pair of them let alone a quad. You need a bigger power transformer and bigger output transformers.
Click to expand...

Mine.These things are heavy, the lifting balance point is a hand either side in between the front & rear transformers.

 
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