ARC Galileo GSPre vs ARC Reference 5 SE ? ....

Look at the 2 recent leveraged buyouts at ARC and you might conclude, as I have, that the GS 150 was aimed at the Asian market as higher ups at ARC have told me because it is an even bigger and potentially more profitable market than the US.
However,the Asian market has generally not been taken with the current ARC design as they have, for example with McIntosh. That market likes Bling or "authentic" American design (see Chuck Taylor Converse, etc). So ARC restyles the Ref 150 circuit for a more "authentic, retro/chic"-meter dominant look to hopefully capture that market. But how can you ask for primo $ just for newer (retro/chic?) looks without being able to state that more money also gets you better sound?. Well-- you put in KT 150s in what is basically a Ref 150 circuit to make it sound better.
But hold on--- if ARC says publicly that KT 150s can be placed in Ref 150s and have the same sound, they have just undermined the rollout. So--sotto voce--we in the U.S. are told unofficially that it can be done.
End of story.

Gpgr4blu,

Thank you for that. Makes perfect sense.

BTW, I love the "sotto voce" comment. :)

This thread has really taken off in terms of info exchanged.
I say, if the KT 150 fits into the Ref 150- go for it.
Otherwise, has anyone auditioned the GS150/GSPre? Did any of you guys see them at CES 2015? Happy Listening!

A friend of mine just received his GSpre. I know it's probably too soon for him to say definitely but he thinks it's as good or better than the REF 5se but the REF 10 still beats both.

As my careful survey of KT120s and KT150s has shown, no amp in the history of the universe (many billions of years) has been damaged by these tubes, assuming an amp was originally designed for similar but lower heater current draw. Many respectable (unlike myself) reviewers, technical experts, pole dancers, vegan nuns, and convicted felons have recommended 150s as "drop in replacements." Also, I've bought matched and tested 120s and 150s for a LOT less than Kevin Deal sells them for (or ARC who seem to be holding many of their fans by their seemingly tiny balls) and all have worked perfectly.