New KT150 tubes?

I sure as sh*t, I am not dropping those pups into my Ref 150 until ARC gives the green light. So, I'm taking my own advice.

It's your amp and you can do whatever you want. There are players and spectators ... what makes the world turn.

I am going to call Kalvin at ARC and ask him about the use of the KT150 in my Ref 110. I suspect that they haven't nor will they test it in the older generation Ref amps (unless there is sufficient demand/enquiry on the part of owners to do so)but will push them to see if I can get a definitive answer. I will also ask about current Ref amps and if I get an answer will report back.

Separately, if the answer definitively comes back as no for my specific question of dropping the KT150 into my Ref 110, does anyone here have a view as to whether the Winged 6550C SED tube is preferable to the KT120 tubes in the Ref 110? It seems like of all the 6550 variants, the Winged SED version is the top dog and often goes for big bucks but wasn't sure if anyone here has compared it, either to ARC standard issue 6550s or to the KT120?

Would appreciate any input on this front. Thanks.

As an ageing cynic, really ARC have no interest in showing the 150's will work in the current Reference power amps. They have the reputation of bringing out new models faster than a Milan fashion house. I would put money on them having a range of Reference power products, using the 150's, within a year or so.
" Step this way Sir for the new super reference Power amp, the 120's are so last year"

An unworthy thought I know.

Cmalak -- I haven't tried the KT150 in my Octave V110 but I have tried the SED 6550 and the KT120. Both have very similar sonic signatures. When I was looking for SED EL34's a few years ago (had the Octave V70se then)I met with Jim McShane and he told me about the quality of SED tube taking a nose dive. He said that Arc was the largest customer for SED tubes. In fact when I got my V70 the SED 6550 was the stock tube with the SED KT88 as an option. The KT88 is a much warmer sounding tube.

As an ageing cynic, really ARC have no interest in showing the 150's will work in the current Reference power amps. They have the reputation of bringing out new models faster than a Milan fashion house. I would put money on them having a range of Reference power products, using the 150's, within a year or so.
" Step this way Sir for the new super reference Power amp, the 120's are so last year"

Anything is possible. New SE model, KT120 inventory too high, haven't decided if new resistors are needed ...

I have a friend interested in ARC Ref250. The only reason hasn't pulled trigger is uncertainty of KT150. He spoke to a big ARC dealer past Mon and dealer said ARC is very happy with sound of KT150 in Ref amps and should work fine without problems. But since ARC hasn't officially endorse using them, he can't officially endorse them either.

Friend is exploring other options so I think the uncertainty has some negative effects on sales.