Plans for ARC Ref 150 with KT-150s? (like is in the works for the ARC Ref 250)

[jpgr4blu]

TMcD
Pm me for details.

[TMcD]

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[jwallace46]

After the LA and OC AS meeting at Sunny's ealier in November, I also was all for the upgrade to the 150s (really need that bass). But my ARC dealer told me to be patient until early 2015 given the warranty issue and all(same message from Kalvin). I think I have about 6 months more of tube life left in my KT-120s so I will wait for the dust to settle.

[max17]

Originally Posted by jpgr4blu

Ordered matched cryoed KT 150s from Upscale for my Ref 150. Will be a shame to remove KT 120s after only 500 hours, but I can't take the torture of hearing how great they are. Also, now very assured that KT 150s are a virtual drop in replacement.

Did you receive you KT 150's and more importantly have you tried them out? I'm planning on placing my order to Upscale today - also for a Ref 150.

[Priaptor]

Originally Posted by jwallace46

After the LA and OC AS meeting at Sunny's ealier in November, I also was all for the upgrade to the 150s (really need that bass). But my ARC dealer told me to be patient until early 2015 given the warranty issue and all(same message from Kalvin). I think I have about 6 months more of tube life left in my KT-120s so I will wait for the dust to settle.

JW just go for it. Life is too short. Big deal about the "warranty". The KT150s are an amazing upgrade for little (relative) money and it will be like getting a whole new amplifier.

Forget the nonsense and as Nike says, Just Do It. You don't need Kalvin's sanction of approval. When I did it with my REF75 it was transformative. I never expected to love the GS150 as much as it turned out I did and ultimately bought it, but whether it be a "new design" or very similar to the REF150 + KT150s I don't want to argue anymore but can tell you is amazing. I am very hyped on these tubes and recommend you give yourself a Holiday Gift which will probably be the best upgrade, for the $$, you ever made.

[jpgr4blu]

I've got very few hours on the tubes (about 8 over 2 days) but I can say that they provide a bit more flesh on the bone and slightly better bass. The soundstage narrowed by quite a bit on my first listening session but expanded to almost to where it was with the KT 120s on my second session while still retaining the fleshier aspect. There may also be a slightly more natural midrange ,especially on voice. In short, I believe the KT 150 provides a slightly better all around listening experience but I can't say I've got the full measure of them yet so the differences may ultimately be more profound. I will report my impressions on Sunday after a few more days of break-in.
I was happy with Upscale's services and can recommend them as a source as others have to me.

[Masterlu]

max17... Welcome to AA!

[jzeitune]

I just placed the order of 16 kt-150 for my ref 250.

[CGabriel]

Originally Posted by veerapaneni

IS there SQ difference between cryo treated tubes and non treated ones ? I am thinking of getting KT150s for my Ref 250s .

Cryo'd tubes tend to go microphonic easier and tend to have a shorter lifespan. This is is just my experience FWIW. I ruined way to many very expensive tubes.

[max17]

I ordered 8 KT150s for my Ref150 from Upscale Audio on Friday - I had them overnighted. Before installing the KT150s I re-biased the original KT120s to the specified 65mVDC. I have a device that plugs in between the power cord and outlet letting you see how much energy you are consuming. It also displays real time wattage and amps. My thinking was to take a reading with KT120s installed and then with the KT150s (set to the same bias) level to see how much additional power the KT150s required. The results are: KT120 (331 watts / 3.04 amps) and KT150 (336 watts / 3.10). The difference does not look significant. I don't know how really meaningful these numbers are and would appreciate anyone's thoughts.
The installation went perfectly - I have had no issues so far. I took temperature readings of the internals and the case with an IR thermometer and did not see notable changes.
I have about 6 hours on the KT150s and I am glad I made the switch. Improved bass, more space around instruments, more meat on vocals and a huge improvement on the sound of guitar strings. I will post additional comments when I have more hours logged. Thanks to all for the great information influencing my switch to the KT150s!