KT150 to KT120..or KT120 to KT150

daveyf OP

@decooney Intersting point. I tend to agree that ic’s can make or break your system, depending on a number of variables. Your findings above do not actually jive with mine, as I am very impressed with a pair of OCC Ohno Continuous ic’s with my KT150’s. However, I am fairly sure that the design and make has a lot to do with the ultimate results. So, no real generalizations are possible here.

Sure, and referring to tone changes mostly in a specific case example as an approach. No debate on whether OCCs work well or not with KT150s. All preference. In fact, I’m running Analysis Plus Crystal OCC cables at my source to preamp, preamp to amps right now with (KT120s or KT150s). Also, validated with five different pairs of Cardas Audio interconnect cables too up and down the line, in a similar manner. If I change to the exact same design cables in OFC Copper, it offers a slightly richer tone at the cost of slight loss of upper most frequency detail.  Something else to try in general terms with tube comparisons, if interested.

@daveyf my KT150s are back in their boxes, nice, yet kept comparing. After the KT120s had 100-200hrs on them, have not wanted to remove them. My first impressions were off for sure, and they just needed time to settle in. Very nice.

@decooney  Remind me again as to what amp you are using with these tubes.

@daveyf two Quicksilver Mono 120 tube amplifiers with upgraded Mundorf EVO Silver Gold (non oil) capacitors, Premium Psvane MKII 12AU7 and 12AT7 small signal tubes paired with Tung Sol KT120 output tubes. Combo works nicely.  

@decooney No doubt that combo works well. Question is whether these amps were originally designed for KT120’s or KT150’s?...my money says KT120’s, which would lead to your observations.