Here's the link to VAC's take on the KT 120s:
http://vac-amps.com/vacBlog/category/technical-musings/
I don't see anything there about compression, though.
Tube Physics Question
Here's the link to VAC's take on the KT 120s: http://vac-amps.com/vacBlog/category/technical-musings/ I don't see anything there about compression, though. |
Thanks for the link, rcprince. A lot of what Kevin Hayes says went over my head, but a couple of his points maybe speak to what I heard. "3) You should expect more distortion with the KT120, possibly particularly at moderately low listening levels and with highly reactive loudspeakers" "6) You’re likely to give up a few kHz of high frequency response" And one of his main points is as mlsstl suggested earlier, an amp designed for KT88s will not sound as good with tubes having a different spec. I'd still like to hear from anyone who knows what differs mechanically in tubes. Like what is physically different between KT88s and KT120s - bigger plates? - thicker metal? - different metalurgy? |
I've been using a factory upgraded Jolida 502p for a few years now and KT120s sounded great and really lasted in that thing. Don't get the distortion issue at all as the 120s were really clean and powerful sounding until I wore them out (took a long time by the way)..went to 150s and they also sounded fine (although perhaps taxing the heater current draw on the 502) but before long I simply became curious to try the Gold Lions partly because they look cool (so sue me). Consequently, earlier this year I ordered an appropriately matched quad of GL KT88s from thetubestore and they're GREAT sounding in the Jolida…sweet, snappy and accurate clear sounding tubes, and I might have to admit they're maybe a better match for this amp as it was shipped with 6550s. The Lions are currently ahead in points…"I like it, it's good." |