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Kt150
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sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
I imagine you'd be able to swap them into most any amp that can drive a KT88, with the proviso that you wouldn't get the full bang for the buck on output AND your transformer can handle it.
That's where I'm at with a set of KT120's in a Latino ST120 ... it'll drive them, but only to around 65-70 watts in a push pull pair. The transformer is more than capable, which is something you need to check before getting into them - but you'd need to make some major circuit mods to get the full rating. I got em for the big bottles, and they're rumored to have a better bottom than any KT88 except maybe the super uber expensive untouchables ...
Can't wait to see the price on the KT150's ... should be decent if the KT120's are any indication ... a matched quad was less than the same in SED winged C's when I bit ...
PS ... if anybody want's to sketch out the mods to make them work full power in a Latino ST120 ... nudge nudge ...
That's where I'm at with a set of KT120's in a Latino ST120 ... it'll drive them, but only to around 65-70 watts in a push pull pair. The transformer is more than capable, which is something you need to check before getting into them - but you'd need to make some major circuit mods to get the full rating. I got em for the big bottles, and they're rumored to have a better bottom than any KT88 except maybe the super uber expensive untouchables ...
Can't wait to see the price on the KT150's ... should be decent if the KT120's are any indication ... a matched quad was less than the same in SED winged C's when I bit ...
PS ... if anybody want's to sketch out the mods to make them work full power in a Latino ST120 ... nudge nudge ...
I'd say this is a pretty bold move by New Sensor. I wonder if this is the next version of the KT120, meaning will the KT120s be phased out in favor of the KT150 now? I'm scratching my head a little because it's got only 10 more watts plate dissipation than the KT120, the same max plate voltage (850V), and the same heater current rating. Max screen voltage is a little higher at 650V vs. 600V for the KT120. Most designers I'm guessing aren't running the KT120s anywhere near their max ratings for longevity sake.
Maybe it sounds significantly better?? Maybe it is significantly more rugged??
In any event, I'm pleased to see new tube designs being manufactured. And you gotta love (or hate?) that shape. I wonder how tall it is?
Maybe it sounds significantly better?? Maybe it is significantly more rugged??
In any event, I'm pleased to see new tube designs being manufactured. And you gotta love (or hate?) that shape. I wonder how tall it is?
sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
Most designers I'm guessing aren't running the KT120s anywhere near their max ratings for longevity sake
Not a new development ... wonder how many people are aware that a pair of 6550's can do 100 clean watts?
Agreed though that the KT150 isn't that great a step forward on the specs, but I can' wait to hear one. Historically, the upgrade seems about right, and every little bit will come in handy if run in triode mode - I wouldn't be surprised to see 50wpc there ...
Here's another review ... best o'luck with it ... da english be it not so fine ... <G>
http://www.hificomponents.ru/publ/news_new_power_vacuum_tube_kt150/1-1-0-33
Not a new development ... wonder how many people are aware that a pair of 6550's can do 100 clean watts?
Agreed though that the KT150 isn't that great a step forward on the specs, but I can' wait to hear one. Historically, the upgrade seems about right, and every little bit will come in handy if run in triode mode - I wouldn't be surprised to see 50wpc there ...
Here's another review ... best o'luck with it ... da english be it not so fine ... <G>
http://www.hificomponents.ru/publ/news_new_power_vacuum_tube_kt150/1-1-0-33
Kegger
R.I.P. 1/12/1966 - 6/1/2017
Yah while they aren't a leap more giant than a KT120, but still running them at
an true 500v plate to cathode and 100ma yur at 70% dissipation, I kinda like it.
(that's where I'd think about running them in UL at, which would "push" KT120)
Just are not a lot of high dissipation tubes that can also take high screen volts.
(Single Ended UL with one of these is where I'd see potential, near 20w output)
JRSBat
Well-Known Member
United Home Audio ran some KT150s on Jolida's (future line) Luxor monos at the Capital Audiofest last month. I talked with Mr. Beron yesterday to see if he was selling the tubes. He said he was not going to carry the tubes and did not know when they will be released. He said he liked them more than KT88s or KT120s that he has heard.
Here is the website with comments and pics:
http://www.unitedhomeproducts.com/
Here's a pic of a Luxor with KT150s:
I also spoke with Jolida yesterday. The rep said my 302BRC can be changed from the EL34s to KT88/KT120/KT150 tubes. I have to manually bias the tubes to 500mv +/- 50mv since the auto bias lights are geared for 400mv. The rep said he preferred the KT150s over the other tubes. The rep said I would not get the full impact of the higher watt tubes but I would hear a significant difference (for the better depending on taste). I am very interested in getting a quad of the KT150s when they come out.
Here is the website with comments and pics:
http://www.unitedhomeproducts.com/
Here's a pic of a Luxor with KT150s:
I also spoke with Jolida yesterday. The rep said my 302BRC can be changed from the EL34s to KT88/KT120/KT150 tubes. I have to manually bias the tubes to 500mv +/- 50mv since the auto bias lights are geared for 400mv. The rep said he preferred the KT150s over the other tubes. The rep said I would not get the full impact of the higher watt tubes but I would hear a significant difference (for the better depending on taste). I am very interested in getting a quad of the KT150s when they come out.
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sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
Ya but ... if it's only one company, it's good that it's not some bottle blower in Flyspeckistan making a few whenever he gets bored ...
(My face will be sooOOoo red if we find out TungSol contracts with bottle blowers in Flyspeckistan to make their tubes)
In response to an earlier question on compatibility ... you really need to check with the amp's manufacturer as to whether their equipment supports the KT120 or 150 monoblocks. Both draw significantly more juice to do their thing, and it all depends on how robust the transformers are as to whether they'll stress the amp.
We should probably put together a list and make a sticky?
I'll start -
Latino ST-120 = GOOD
Latino 150 Monoblock = GOOD
(My face will be sooOOoo red if we find out TungSol contracts with bottle blowers in Flyspeckistan to make their tubes)
In response to an earlier question on compatibility ... you really need to check with the amp's manufacturer as to whether their equipment supports the KT120 or 150 monoblocks. Both draw significantly more juice to do their thing, and it all depends on how robust the transformers are as to whether they'll stress the amp.
We should probably put together a list and make a sticky?
I'll start -
Latino ST-120 = GOOD
Latino 150 Monoblock = GOOD
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Shadowdog
Super Member
The Heater Filament draw may exceed some amps designed for KT-88/6550, but otherwise only space would be the only other physical consideration.
A separate transformer would solve that problem and the tubes would have a very long happy life running at a reduced dissipation level.
They may sound really nice running at a lower than designed for level also. Should get a bit more power also if biased higher as bonus since they will still be run well under the dissipation limit in most cases.
A separate transformer would solve that problem and the tubes would have a very long happy life running at a reduced dissipation level.
They may sound really nice running at a lower than designed for level also. Should get a bit more power also if biased higher as bonus since they will still be run well under the dissipation limit in most cases.
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Making sound is one thing but ability is another.
The big 88' or 120' amps that these would be retro'd into may have the PT to handle the 150's (or not) but what about the OPT's?. Are there currently any OPT's on the market to take advantage of such a tube?
I mean never before, not even in the heyday has there been a tube with such output potential.
With such a tube there should also be a new breed of OPT's to match and take advantage of the tubes potential.
I mean, a 6L6 will play in a 6V6 amp but the output is limited by its OPT's. (assuming the PT is up to it)
I tried a set of KT120's in my carver 180's (6-kt88 monoblocks) and on a dummy load I only realized 8 watts difference in output. The Altec Peerless OPT's were the limiting factor. So says Bob Carver. The quality of sound was no different.
I gotta say also that to me tubes are a retro thing and Im not in love with the envelope shape of these tubes
..
The big 88' or 120' amps that these would be retro'd into may have the PT to handle the 150's (or not) but what about the OPT's?. Are there currently any OPT's on the market to take advantage of such a tube?
I mean never before, not even in the heyday has there been a tube with such output potential.
With such a tube there should also be a new breed of OPT's to match and take advantage of the tubes potential.
I mean, a 6L6 will play in a 6V6 amp but the output is limited by its OPT's. (assuming the PT is up to it)
I tried a set of KT120's in my carver 180's (6-kt88 monoblocks) and on a dummy load I only realized 8 watts difference in output. The Altec Peerless OPT's were the limiting factor. So says Bob Carver. The quality of sound was no different.
I gotta say also that to me tubes are a retro thing and Im not in love with the envelope shape of these tubes
..
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sKiZo
Hates received: 92644 43.20°N 85.50°W
True all dat, but ... All I'm saying is best to be safe than sorry and check with the mfg first, especially with older equipment.
Only amps I can speak of with authority is the Dynaco lineup. Those who know STRONGLY discourage using the new KT120's (and by extension, the KT150's) in the stock Dynacos, citing the original transformers as borderline at best. Upgrade to new high power iron, and you're ok as that has more than enough capacity.
You still won't realize much in the way of a power output gain without a complete redesign of the amps ... rumored to be around 6-8 watts at most on a Latino ST-120 using KT-120's. These were tested up to "holy smokes" bias levels with no appreciable increase in output, so the recommendation is to stick with the basic 55ma used for other KT series tubes. The KT-120's WILL give you a bunch more punch on the bottom due to the tube design, and should have a major increase in longevity due to the fact they won't be working all that hard. Real bonus with today's tube prices.
I imagine the same will hold true with the KT-150's when they hit the market. I also expect it won't be long before there's a slew of mfgs coming out with redesigns that can take advantage of their full potential.
Here's a project I'm working on ... kinda stalled right now due to good weather and trying to get all the outdoor projects done while said weather lasts ...
You'll notice I made the chassis big enough for them KT-200's when they come out. <G>
I like big bottles and I don't know why
They got that something that just catches the eye ...
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The only one I'm aware of so far who's actually auditioned them: http://www.audiokarma.org/forums/showthread.php?t=546811
