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New KT150 tubes?

Has anyone any experience with these pretty new tubes. There are already one or 2 amps I know of, that use them. The review of one of these amps in a UK magazine suggested they were a little warmer and more natural sounding than the nearly new KT120's

The article also suggested they were a straight swap for KT120 based amps, with no adjustment necessary. They are more than twice the cost of KT120's, but still not too costly compared with NOS tubes. I know changing from KT88's or 90's to 120's. did require some amp modification. I have an ARC reference 75 and might want to try the new tubes at some point, ARC don't seem to have a customer E-mail service, to ask the question
david12
hifigeek1
770 posts
 
Regarding the KT-150. It is not known yet if this tube is a drop in replacement for the KT-120. I'm awaiting info from the ARC engineering dept. on this issue. The KT-150 puts out more power than the KT-120 which could mean it draws more heater current than the KT-120 does. When I get more info on this, I will share it here. Until that time, I would be very careful using this tube.
joe_appierto
81 posts
 
According to the New Sensor data sheet on the KT150, the heater current is not less than 1.75A and not more than 2.0A and for the KT 120 it's not less than 1.7A and not more than 1.95A. So, they're pretty close in that regard.

There may be other characteristics, physical, mechanical or electrical that may preclude using the KT150 in applications that are designed for the KT120. Physical size is an obvious one.
wolf_garcia
6,686 posts
 
Unfortunately, due to the shape of the KT150 I can only assume that emergency rooms will eventually be dealing with those who've decided to cram them up their...uh...nevermind...innapropriate...sorry...
bifwynne
2,206 posts
 
Joe ... that's an interesting bit of data. I understand that ARC is looking at the KT-150 now.

Here's my little dilemma. My KT-120s have about 1900 hours on them. According to Gary (Hifigeek1) and ARC, I'm just about at the end of their useful life and should get ready to replace them. I wonder how much longer it will be before ARC announces yeah or nay??
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
11-13-13: Wolf_garcia
Unfortunately, due to the shape of the KT150 I can only assume that emergency rooms will eventually be dealing with those who've decided to cram them up their...uh...nevermind...innapropriate...sorry...
Wolf_garcia (Threads | Answers | This Thread)
Fortunately not something you have to worry about ... well broken in with plenty of room. I bet break-in was shorter than your KT120s?
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