New KT150 tubes?

David256, ARC has unofficially said that their tested and calibrated KT-150s will sell for almost $200 per tube. By contrast, ARC sells KT-120s for about $100 a tube. Way over my what I will spend for a tube. By contrast, Upscale Audio is charging about half those amounts.

When ARC blesses the KT-150, I'll probably go to Upscale. No f***ing way I'll spring for $200 a tube from ARC. My current set of KT-120s is getting long in the tooth. I might spring for the KT-150s with or without ARCs blessing ... maybe

Btw, I read somewhere that the KT-150 has a life span of 4000 hours, which is twice the suggested limit for KT-120s. Let's see what is officially reported, all of which I suspect will be shortly after the ARC G Series is released.

BIF

Another titbit from elsewhere.

" My dealer has checked with Audio Research and apparently I would be able to put the KT150 in my 750s tube amp without any modification to the units. The only reason I cant do that now is because they claim they dont have enought KT150s on hand to properly match the quantity I need for the 750s. I guess this means they might adjust the bias of the KT150 in such a way that it works with my units. I have no ETA from them since they claim being very busy with the G series at the moment.

I am tempted to try sourcing the KT150s myself but given I am not them impact of the bias current have and the matching issues as well if I was to get them from the web, I guess I will be patient. I only have 700 hours on my 750s anyway so I can live with the set of KT120s I have for now! "

It's been a while - any updates on arc kt150 acceptance and release dates of G series?

Sent another message to Kal. Waiting for a response. I asked him how the GS 150 differs from the Ref 150. The specs are identical, except the GS 150 uses KT150 tubes. I think there's a marketing wrinkle here.

I had an E-mail from someone who went to RMAF and noted an ARC ref 75, tubed with KT150's. I contacted the manufacturer, whom I won't name, but is a well respected US company. He kindly replied saying the KT150's are a straight swap with the same bias setting and no modification required. He also said he thought the sound was a real upgrade. I had already been told by a retailer for ARC, he thought this would be the case, but may not apply to larger amps using more tubes, such as the Reference 150.

When I have some time, I am going to be brave and find some KT150's and give it a go.