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Original Message
RE: Thanks, Joe.
Posted by casouza on April 2, 2011 at 09:46:27:
Gonzalo, thanks.
I agree 100% with your choice of tubes,
5751 is way better than most 12ax7s: quieter, less microphonic, less grainy, cleaner sound.
Your 6SN7s are some of the best NOS tubes.
I believe you meant to write GEC or Gold Lion re-issue KT88s. These are amazing tubes, probably better that the original 1960s GEC KT88, if you value a very even tonal balance. The original KT-88 is slightly muffled in the treble range, though its sound is very seductive.
I do not believe that the KT120 is hyped, it comes from the same factory that makes the excellent GEC KT-88. It is just too risky to pop them in any tube amp without knowing the safety margins of the transformers. If the output transformers are specified to handle 100 watts and the power transformer can handle the extra heater current with almost no rise in temperature, then it is a GO.
Changing from KT-88s to KT-120s may increase power output 20-30%, which in terms of sound pressure levels adds roughly a decibel to the maximum room sound pressure level (peanuts IMO).
To increase room SPL levels noticeably, say by 3 db, one needs to double the power output.
I plan to try the KT120s in a power amp with beefy transformers, for their sonics, not for the relatively small in-room SPL gain.
Thanks for a great post.
Enjoy the music!