KT120 Vacuum Tube from Tung-Sol

[Raj J]

no problem at all for those of you who want to retain the same output tubes as recommended by the manufacturer, keep what you have; I am sure you are enjoying your music!

For my system since I have spent nearly a fortune (well over 50 grand) accoridng to my means; a couple hundred bucks transitioned me to a place that I haven't experienced before, and it was the change of output tubes, so I thought that Id share this experience with others who may be interested in the attributes of the KT120. Whether it is changing the voicing or not, I don't bother about that region, since the overall performance is a dramatic improvement. I was told that the c-j circuit is a very simple one, and one that works quite well with different types of output tubes provided they are compatible.

If it was a marginal improvement, I wouldn't be making such a noise...
There is another customer here who did a smilar change with his c-j LP66s amp, and is wondering why they didn't think of the KT120 before, that's because it was not around until recently. He's absolutely loving it!

Anyway, it is upto you, only your ears can be the judge of that, so if you are enjoying what you have, be it a tin box or 100 grand system, good on you! That's all that matters at the end of day, you should be able to relax and enjoy your favorite music through your system in a way it was intended for.

As for me it is now 6pm, just about to shut down the office heading home and this time George Benson and Miles Davis are coming home for tea!
Have a good one all!
cheers, RJ

[E-Stat]

no problem at all for those of you who want to retain the same output tubes as recommended by the manufacturer, keep what you have; I am sure you are enjoying your music!

Thanks for the heads up. I'll stay tuned to what Luke Manley does. The tube draws 100-300 mA more filament current than a 6550. The third generation MB-450 was in use by a number of manufacturers at recent shows and I'm leery of a more "tubey sound" as reported by others: Another review.

rw

[Feanor]

Thanks for the heads up. I'll stay tuned to what Luke Manley does. The tube draws 100-300 mA more filament current than a 6550. The third generation MB-450 was in use by a number of manufacturers at recent shows and I'm leery of a more "tubey sound" as reported by others: Another review.

rw

By the way, I'd really like to hear a Bob Latino ST-120 in my system. For the money, they's be a semi-realizable dream for me, assuming I liked them.

The AA reviewer did allow that the Tung-Sols were probably not fulled burned-in. But assuming what he said is valid overall, I'd rather have the "air" than the "fuller" bass.

[Fred70433]

I was thinking about the Shugaung Treasure KT-88's for my Jolida 502B. Not that I'm unhappy with the stock Tung Sol 6550's, but I was wondering if they might lower the noise floor a bit.

Also, what's the bias for the KT-120'S? How much "bigger" are they than the 6550's?

[Jack in Wilmington]

I was thinking about the Shugaung Treasure KT-88's for my Jolida 502B. Not that I'm unhappy with the stock Tung Sol 6550's, but I was wondering if they might lower the noise floor a bit.

Also, what's the bias for the KT-120'S? How much "bigger" are they than the 6550's?

I was wondering that also. I was useing the Audio Research DSi200 over the weekend and it uses the 6550 tubes. It was nice to be throwing 200w at my Dynaudios. Sounded sweet.

[Raj J]

regarding direct comparison to KT88 and 6550's bias requirements; I am not familiar with the bias current required for the KT120's simply because my conrad johnson does not require biasing, only a slight adjust with a led indicator...

for those of you out there using a multi-meter to actually bias your output tubes, you will have to check with the KT120 spec sheet and find out what the exact bias is required in Milli apms/or volts. I would also check on the net as they have the bias requirements for the KT120's, another area to look for would be to ask TungSol directly.

I do know the current milli amp requirements for the 6550's, KT88's & KT90's when I was using Manley monoblocks which required individual bias with a multi-meter, but now that I am using conrad johnson amps it doesn't require such biasing.

in terms of size, the KT120's are much larger than KT88, KT90's and slightly fatter and much taller than 6550's. if you are using a tube cage or top cover, make sure that there is enough headroom as not to touch the tubes in anyway during operation. they also dissipate about the same heat as 6550's but this is because the circuit they are currently in was originally designed for 6550's and not KT120's. therefore, they are probably just cruising along with absolutely no stress...

please check out the specs and dimensions of the KT120, they are available on-line and TungSol are happy to answer your questions.
hope this hepls!
cheers, Raj J

[Raj J]

Regarding direct comparison to KT88 and 6550's bias requirements; I am not familiar with the bias current required for the KT120's simply because my conrad johnson aamp does not require biasing, only a slight adjustment with a led indicator is all that is required...

for those of you using a multi-meter to actually bias your output tubes, you will have to check with the KT120 spec sheet and find out what the exact bias is. I would also check on the Net as they have the bias requirements for the KT120's, another area to look for would be to ask TungSol directly.

I do know the bias current requirements for the 6550's, KT88's & KT90's when I was using Manley monoblocks, which required individual biasing. However, now that I am using conrad johnson amps it doesn't require such biasing.

In terms of size, the KT120's are much larger than KT88, KT90's and slightly fatter and much taller than 6550's. if you are using a tube cage or top cover, make sure that there is enough headroom as not to touch the tubes in anyway during operation. they also dissipate about the same heat as 6550's but this is because the circuit they are currently in was originally designed for 6550's and not KT120's. therefore, they are probably just cruising along with absolutely no stress...

Please check out the specs and dimensions of the KT120, they are available on-line and TungSol are happy to answer your questions.
Hope this hepls!
cheers, Raj J