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Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?

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Posted on October 30, 2020 at 09:02:28
Bob Latino
Audiophile

Posts: 209
Location: New England
Joined: May 21, 2007



Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes that are listed on the hificomponents.ru web site ? Newsensor, the USA distributor of Tung-Sol tubes shows nothing ? Interesting tube shape ..

Bob

 

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RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on October 30, 2020 at 10:00:02
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 10352
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 News to me, Bob. First I've heard of them.

Wonder why? Was the KT150 a flop? Maybe it's a solution looking for a problem.

The bottle shape is very cool though.

 

Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes, posted on October 30, 2020 at 12:45:21
Alex F.
Audiophile

Posts: 877
Location: Florida
Joined: February 29, 2004
 Here is a bit of info posted earlier today:

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on October 31, 2020 at 09:45:36
Mr_bill2
Audiophile

Posts: 2199
Joined: September 17, 2002
 Better than the 150s, yes. The KT88s still look the best to me though!

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on October 31, 2020 at 10:19:51
Sondek
Audiophile

Posts: 10352
Location: Fort Worth
Joined: May 17, 2000
Contributor
  Since: April 5, 2002
 Ken Stevens, of CAT fame, is no fan of the 150 either. He is a big fan of the 120 however.

I wish them success with this new 170 venture.

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on October 31, 2020 at 14:49:15
Mr_bill2
Audiophile

Posts: 2199
Joined: September 17, 2002
 Too many opinions on this...swear by the 150.

Audio Research
Quicksilver
Etc.

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on November 1, 2020 at 07:09:43
Nunki
Audiophile

Posts: 661
Joined: November 27, 2010
 crazy nipples on top. (sex sells!)


 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on November 5, 2020 at 09:41:07
ivan_terrible
Industry Professional

Posts: 222
Location: Ivangorod
Joined: April 26, 2015
 Ugly, pointless, high IMD, & quite possibly badly made?

The only reason to make them is the value of the Russian rouble, which is going further and further down the toilet.

Export or die!

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on November 8, 2020 at 05:43:25
blakey
Audiophile

Posts: 213
Joined: October 24, 2000
 I have to say that's the fugliest looking tube I've ever seen. Who cares about the way it sounds, I will never an amp that uses these

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on November 9, 2020 at 12:34:08
kobasa@xs4all.nl
 It is always nice to see something new in tubeland.

But... is it any good?

The kt120 and kt150 are nice tubes if you use them in an amplifier with feedback. The curves are not very good (and not bad either), also in triode mode. I expect the same for the kt170.

Use them to get more power and add a little bit feedback to make it work good.

So, a very interesting tube if you know what you are doing.

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on November 9, 2020 at 17:34:45
decooney
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: NorCal USA
Joined: January 6, 2004
 +1 The KT150s are great in my Quicksilver Mono 120 tube amps.

Tried the KT120, and it was dry and less musical compared to the KT150 in my amps, but then again my amps are designed for the KT150 specifically with huge transformers and higher plate voltage to take advantage of KT150s.

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on November 11, 2020 at 20:14:51
Pscarlsen@outlook.com
Audiophile

Posts: 1
Location: TX
Joined: November 11, 2020
 I heard that this tube is a JV between Tungsol and Primaluna via Upscale Audio. I heard this on the hifipodcast.net episode 10

Apparently Tungsol makes the Primaluna branded EL-34s that come with all Primalunas and this tube will be the most powerful tube that can be used on the Primalunas

Very cool looking. Pushes the design of the KT150s to another level

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on May 22, 2021 at 20:42:27
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 Have you tried the KT170 yet?

It's all about the music!

Support Asylum Trader

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on May 27, 2021 at 08:21:28
6bq5
Audiophile

Posts: 4690
Location: SF Bay
Joined: August 16, 2001
 I am kind of suspicious as to the value -
The KT-90 had horrible hysteresis, and I have not seen good analysis of any of the subsequent developments

if the KT-88 / 6550 does not have enough power -
Use the 811, 845 or the like

In any case the need for an excellent OPT may override the exercise ....
Happy Listening

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on May 28, 2021 at 09:09:07
rich121
Audiophile

Posts: 5401
Location: Yakima, Washington
Joined: March 8, 2003
 Why?
There are glowing reviews of this tube already.
The KT150 is a wonderful tube too!
It's all about the music!

Support Asylum Trader

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on December 12, 2021 at 23:43:42
decooney
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: NorCal USA
Joined: January 6, 2004
 Have not, only read in a few places that its "similar to the KT150" yet apparently KT170 is another 15w per tube more capacity/power capable above KT150.. Seems like a lot to design and manufacture a whole new tube [IF] to only add power capability and not change something about the tone or presentation somehow?

It would be helpful to learn if the sonic signature changed somehow low / midrange / highs with the KT170 somehow.

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on December 13, 2021 at 04:12:40
Lee of Omaha
Dealer

Posts: 1800
Location: Omaha NE
Joined: September 8, 2006
 We just had in for light repair a Line Magnetic power amp that had KT150s. The amp can use a wide variety of tubes. I didn't care for the sound, particularly. The owner is planning on trying KT88s.

The amp, by the way, is the best-built piece of Chinese gear I've seen. The cut no corners in the construction. I was surprised, even shocked. I hope using KT88s makes the amp sound like it looks like it should.

 

RE: Does anyone know anything about these new Tung-Sol KT170 output tubes ?, posted on December 13, 2021 at 22:45:01
decooney
Audiophile

Posts: 25
Location: NorCal USA
Joined: January 6, 2004
 On a related tube note, I'm enjoying KT150s a lot more AFTER putting 300hrs on them.

During hours 1-150, they still seemed kinda too open or too clear lacking some body and velvet.

>>> Wondering if KT170s have a similar sound once fully burned in. Or, different sound how so? <<<

I had been comparing my same amps and output tubes going back and forth to my local dealer who has my exact same amps/KT150s fully burned in well past 300hrs. A NOTABLE difference after these big Tung Sol output tubes settled in past 250-300hrs. Top end smooths out, more texture comes in, and they become less modern sounding and more rounded out like I was hoping for.. Getting there now.

 

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