Trying a set of KT-120 in my premier 11-A

[Rafale]

hello Joe and welcome, very pleased to meet you

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by Joe Appierto

Hi,

I'm new to this forum and this is only my second post. I was wondering if you continued to use the KT-120s in your 11A and did you have any problems? I called Ed at conrad-johnson yesterday to ask if it'd be okay to use them but I haven't heard back from him. I've used them in a Pr 140 without any problems but since the 11A is an older model, I wasn't sure if it'd be safe to do so.

Your input is appreciated.

Thanks,
Joe

Joe,
Welcome aboard. I've used KT88s in my Pr11A to good success, so I would definitely try the KT-120s...should be fine. They're working great in my LP70S.

[jimtranr]

Welcome, Joe. Good to have you aboard.

[Joe Appierto]

Thank you guys for the warm welcome. I'm going to give the KT-120s a shot and see what happens.

Hopefully, no meltdowns.

[joeinid]

Originally Posted by chessman

Joe, welcome aboard!

Hi,

Great taste in gear!

Welcome!

Another Joe

[repman]

Joe , I have had my 11-A outfitted with the KT-120's since I originally posted this with zero issues - I called Ed at CJ before I installed them and he said that is the only other tube he was authorized to say could be used in an 11-A other than a 6550. I have been very impressed with them and will not be going back to 6550's any time soon.

regards, Larry

[Joe Appierto]

Hi Larry,

It's good to know they've been working well for you. I have them in the 11A warming up now as I increase the bias.

Thanks for the update.

Joe

[repman]

Joe , make sure you give them plenty of time to break in , mine sounded a bit strident at first but really came into full bloom by 50 hrs or so .
I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed mine.

Larry

[Joe Appierto]

Larry,

This quad that I have in the 11A now for about two hours is half of the set of eight which I ran in my Premier 140 for about three weeks earlier this year. They probably had about 125 hours on them and were decently broken in.

I find, though, that even tubes with hundreds of hours on them need a few days to “settle-in” after they been on the shelf before they sound their best. I have to say that initial impressions in the 11A are quite positive and considering that they’re following some Stromberg-Carlson labeled Tung-Sol 6550 solid gray plates, I think that speaks highly of them. They seem to combine the richness and timbre of a KT-88 with the detail of a 6550. Not exactly to the last degree of either, but a good blending of the two.

I appreciate your sharing your experience with me.

Regards,
Joe

[Puma Cat]

Originally Posted by repman

Joe , make sure you give them plenty of time to break in , mine sounded a bit strident at first but really came into full bloom by 50 hrs or so .
I hope you enjoy them as much as I have enjoyed mine.

Larry

+1

Bang on.

Tubes are like kids, they mature in fits and starts. Mine kind of went SNAP! one evening and were there...50 hours is pretty accurate.