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VAC Sigma 170i tube swap?
- Thread starter Dizzie
- Start date
Not a 170i, but I've tried all 3 tubes in my pair of 200iQ. And right now I'm realizing that my recent switch from an ARC Reference 6 to VAC Master preamp has a significant impact on system voicing and tube choice. Your 170i is an integrated, so that's all "VAC voicing" and you won't be trying to make another brand of gear behave with it. So with the Ref 6 preamp in place, I actually liked the KT-120 best - it tamed the top-end energy, and resulted in a great overall balance with good bass impact. The stock Gold Lion KT88's were a close second, and would be #1 for some (my local friend with great ears preferred KT88 over KT120). The KT150 were...interesting - way too dark, but amazing bass impact, WOW! But it was a miserable overall balance. Definitely sounded like "the amps weren't designed for this" to me.
Now with the Master, in an all-VAC phono/preamp/amp chain, I think the KT88 are finally emerging as a clear favorite over the KT-120. That said, my KT-120 seem to have taken some wear over the last year of used, as evidenced by their shrinking side-getter patches. KT88 are fresh, maybe that impacts the comparison?
It's certainly fun to try the different tube types, but VACs ship with the Gold Lion KT88 for a reason.
Now with the Master, in an all-VAC phono/preamp/amp chain, I think the KT88 are finally emerging as a clear favorite over the KT-120. That said, my KT-120 seem to have taken some wear over the last year of used, as evidenced by their shrinking side-getter patches. KT88 are fresh, maybe that impacts the comparison?
It's certainly fun to try the different tube types, but VACs ship with the Gold Lion KT88 for a reason.