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KT 150 Amp Options

It is tax return season, which usually means I immediately spend it all on a piece of equipment. I've been looking to upgrade to an amp that has been designed for the KT 150. They have been around for about 2 years now but I don't see a lot of amps designed for them. ARC came out with the REF 75 SE, which seems like a nice amp. However, I run an ARC SP3-C for my pre, which is an SE out. My understanding is the 75 is balanced which does not make them ideally compatible. I've been waiting for CJ to put out a KT 150, but am not sure if that is even on their radar. Any thoughts on a good KT 150 amp or any rumors on when the market will have some more options?
jgottget
jedinite24's avatar
jedinite24
1,503 posts
 
Hi Plato,

I heard the same thing from Jolida regarding their thoughts on the KT90 and KT120 tubes. I don't remember if I was talking to Jared or not though. It is true the 502P can handle the KT150 tubes. They have been in my Jolida for some time now. Jolida said I may have to increase the bias to around 700 mV rather than the normal 500 mV with the KT150s in place.
audioconnection
1,271 posts
 
(((Zd542 the older QS V4's cannot use KT150's without significant modification but the newer ones are set up to be able to use 6550's through KT150's, I believe.)))
The older V4s can use 150s
The newer V4 units are now manufactured to take full advantage
of the 150s
JohnnyR
Quicksilver dealer
weebeesdad's avatar
weebeesdad
141 posts
 
Charles1dad, what has been your experience with Quicksilver which would lead you to agree with Tubegroover's assessment? Thanks...
dmanzi0219
12 posts
 
The Primaluna HP monoblocks can use KT150s. They sound almost as sweet as the kt88s but with much more punch. I really like the Primaluna's especially for the money.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
Weebeedad,
I've own a Quicksilver full function preamp for 20 years(now used in a second apartment system). It clearly outperformed my then Audio Research SP9 MK II and later a friend's Reference 2 line stage(5x the cost). It still sounds very good and is utterly reliable over all this time. This company tends to fly under the radar despite their consistently high quality componrnts for very reasonable money.

Word of mouth from people I respect say the QS V4 is an excellent amplifier. I'm inclined to believe the current V4 with improved transformers is quite an amplifier.
Charles,
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