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Conrad-Johnson It just sounds right

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  #11  
Old 08-30-2012, 06:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor View Post
I might be wrong (sure Lew will correct me otherwise) but I think that VCap makes cj's Teflon caps. Not a cheap date.
My understanding was that C-J's Teflon caps were made by Dan Babineau, founder of Running Springs...
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  #12  
Old 08-30-2012, 06:22 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe Appierto View Post
Naturally, that’s going to some degree depend on the amplifier you’re using and the associated system. Your unmodified Premier 12s, I’m guessing, fall somewhere between bi-amped 11As and the Premier 140, maybe.

There are two main schools of thought here in this forum. And please guys, if I’m misstating anyone’s feelings, please jump in because I don’t want to put words in anyone’s mouth.
Okay, I will keep that in mind!

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Originally Posted by Joe Appierto View Post
The majority view is that the KT120s combine the best characteristics of the 6550 with the KT88. They may not be more powerful when used in a circuit not designed for them, but they seem to be a little more dynamic and have better headroom. They present a strong bass line without bloat and are articulate in that presentation. Mids and treble are smooth without being rich or warm.
I completely agree with this and would add that the presentation from top to bottom is superior, but I do think that KT120s are more musical (sweeter?) than you describe here; in essence, they combine the best characteristics of the 6550 and KT88.

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Originally Posted by Joe Appierto View Post
The minority view (caveat: I’m one of this group’s members) is that the KT120 is an excellent sounding output tube. However, when compared to a good 6550 (e.g., SED =C= 6550C or a Tung-Sol reissue 6550), the KT120s lack a little top-to-bottom coherence, may be a little bit on the rich side of neutral and don’t have the same degree of clarity in the upper midrange and lower treble.
For the most part, I disagree with some exceptions. In my experience the top to bottom coherence of the KT-120 is superior and there is no difference in upper midrange/lower treble clarity or air. The bass performance is markedly better. I do agree as mentioned above that the 120s are a more musical tube, which is fine with me because I found 6550s to be in general a bit too cool for my taste (this is based on Winged C 6550s, not Tung Sols, bear in mind). Overall, I find the KT-120 to be superior in pretty much all respects to 6550s and I ain't goin' back! So, I'm with Myles on this one....

Bear in mind that I firmly believe that a tube's performance is highly dependent on the circuit topology it is going into, and my views are based on KT-120s in an LP70S.
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Last edited by Puma Cat; 08-30-2012 at 06:28 PM.
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  #13  
Old 08-31-2012, 04:19 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Puma Cat View Post
My understanding was that C-J's Teflon caps were made by Dan Babineau, founder of Running Springs...
Unless my memory is failing, Lew told me Vcap make them to cj specs when I was debating whether to do my prem 8a.
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Old 08-31-2012, 05:18 AM
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Myles & Steve,

I'll have to respectfully request that we agree to disagree. At least until I try them again now that the 140 has been modified.
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Old 08-31-2012, 05:25 AM
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rlw3,

I have to agree with the previous posters. The CJD Teflon cap modification has resulted in my Pr 140 sounding clearer, dynamic, more neutral and for lack of a better way of putting it, more dramatic. I also haven't found it to be particularly painful. It sounded better straight out of the box and while some days are better than others, there's always been a significant improvement over how it sounded previously. I'm now at the 400 hour mark and if anything, it's never sounded this good.
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  #16  
Old 08-31-2012, 09:05 AM
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Vcap does produce caps for a few other manufacturers.
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  #17  
Old 08-31-2012, 09:23 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Myles B. Astor View Post
I might be wrong (sure Lew will correct me otherwise) but I think that VCap makes cj's Teflon caps. Not a cheap date.
I don't think Lew is disclosing this information.
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  #18  
Old 08-31-2012, 09:25 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rlw3 View Post
what is the sonic difference between 6550's and kt 120s??
Depends on which 6550. Compared to the =C= 6550C which CJ used previously the KT120 has better bass, a larger soundstage and is more extended at the extremes. The difference is not night and day but clearly noticeable.
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Old 08-31-2012, 09:31 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Joe Appierto View Post
rlw3,

I have to agree with the previous posters. The CJD Teflon cap modification has resulted in my Pr 140 sounding clearer, dynamic, more neutral and for lack of a better way of putting it, more dramatic. I also haven't found it to be particularly painful. It sounded better straight out of the box and while some days are better than others, there's always been a significant improvement over how it sounded previously. I'm now at the 400 hour mark and if anything, it's never sounded this good.
Joe, It will sound even better with another 300 hours on the clock...
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  #20  
Old 08-31-2012, 10:03 AM
Joe Appierto Joe Appierto is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ronenash View Post
Joe, It will sound even better with another 300 hours on the clock...
Good things are worth waiting for. I keep wondering though if it sounds like this now...
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