audio research Ref 750 w/ KT 150 tube

[tdh888]

Hi,

I'm sorry I won't be able to listen to the Ref 6 because according to my dealer shipping starts on Nov. What's arriving is the Ref 750 w/ KT150 tubes. I hope we will be able to compare it to the version w/ the KT 120's .

Tdh888

 

[knghifi]

Hi,

I'm sorry I won't be able to listen to the Ref 6 because according to my dealer shipping starts on Nov. What's arriving is the Ref 750 w/ KT150 tubes. I hope we will be able to compare it to the version w/ the KT 120's .

Tdh888

Interesting! Didn't think Ref750 was approved for KT150.

 

[Argonaut]

Interesting! Didn't think Ref750 was approved for KT150.

I seem to recall that the Ref750 didn't make ARC's recommended circular due to the low stock levels of their fully tested KT150's at that time.

 

[tdh888]

I seem to recall that the Ref750 didn't make ARC's recommended circular due to the low stock levels of their fully tested KT150's at that time.

This is the reason why its not readilly available for owners of Ref 750 to upgrade from KT 120's to KT150's. According to our local dealer ARC only had 2 pairs of Ref 750 available in the factory. Good thing he was able to get a pair. We will of course compare it our friend who has a Ref 750 w/ KT 120's once it arrives hopefully early Nov.

Tdh888

 

[number95]

Hi,

I'm sorry I won't be able to listen to the Ref 6 because according to my dealer shipping starts on Nov. What's arriving is the Ref 750 w/ KT150 tubes. I hope we will be able to compare it to the version w/ the KT 120's .

Tdh888

Hello thd888,

Please let us know if you listen kt-150 based Ref 750 and compare to kt-120 based one, how you compare them.

 

[patpend]

I'd also be curious if Kalvin noted that any changes have been made to the internal circuitry of the Ref 750's with the 150 tubes. I'm guessing they didn't need to, but if they did, i'd be curious to know...

 

[tdh888]

Hello thd888,

Please let us know if you listen kt-150 based Ref 750 and compare to kt-120 based one, how you compare them.

Hi,

Happy Holidays ,

I will be listening to it today side by side w/ the KT 120 equipped Ref 750. The amp just arrived last week .

Tdh888

 

[microstrip]

Hi,

Happy Holidays ,

I will be listening to it today side by side w/ the KT 120 equipped Ref 750. The amp just arrived last week .

Tdh888

What will be the system? Any news about the KT150 having a longer life than the KT120?

 

[tdh888]

What will be the system? Any news about the KT150 having a longer life than the KT120?

Hi ,

I was able to listen to both the KT120 & KT 150 version of the REF 750. The KT 120 version of the REF 750 had already reach 2000 hours service life. The REF 750 had less than 24 hours . It just arrived 2 weeks ago. The associated equipment are the following .

VPI HR-X w/ JMW 12.7 tonearm, Lyra Etna

Kronos Turntable w/ Kuzma 4Point 11 inches tonearm , Clearaudio Goldfinger Statement V2

audio research REF 10 Phono

audio research REF 10 line stage

Sonus Faber Aida Speakers

Interconnects & speaker cables By XLO signature

Power cords , line conditioner by Shunyata

According to audio research the KT 150 has 3000 hours of service life compared to 2000 hours for the KT120

The KT 150 version had more meat in the bone advantage w/ regards to the mids , had a more powerful bass punch. It also sound less noisy / grain than the KT120 probably because of probably the KT120's are past its prime .
The back ground of the KT150 version has a blacker background . The midrange has more of the 3D effect in KT150 version specially when one uses the VPI HR-X / Lyra Etna combo .
I wish I can post pictures but am having difficulty posting them.

Sorry for the long post,

Tdh888

 

[tdh888]

Since I'm having difficulty uploading the pictures. If someone will provide me an email I can send the pictures , please post it .

Thanks in advance,

Tdh888

 

[Argonaut]

Tdh... Entirely in line with my own considerations regarding an sub 30 hours pair of Ref250SE's, I suspect that you are in for quite an audio roller coaster ride with your brand spanking new 750's.

You could have set them up with something decent tho

 

[tdh888]

Tdh... Entirely in line with my own considerations regarding an sub 30 hours pair of Ref250SE's, I suspect that you are in for quite an audio roller coaster ride with your brand spanking new 750's.

You could have set them up with something decent tho

Hi ,

It ain't my system, I can't afford it, it's my friends system . Am just lucky I'm a close friend w/ our ARC dealer & the owner of this equipments.

Tdh888

 

[dafos]

Hi! so is Our friend from Magallanes going for the upgrade?

 

[microstrip]

Can we just swap the KT120's with KT150's or are there some internal modifications?

 

[Argonaut]

Can we just swap the KT120's with KT150's or are there some internal modifications?

Micro... When the Death Star finally released its much leaked memorandum, authorising the use of the KT150 in NON SE upgraded REF's 75, 150 and 250's any reference to the 750's was conspicuous by its absence.

However, (as was speculated at the time) this was merely due to the then available stock levels of ARC tested KT150's and the number of said valves required to re-fit a pair of 750's.

I believe that sanction has now been given, however It's always best to shoot Kal, over at ARC Central, an email for first hand confirmation, the bias settings required in the KT 150 substitution remained as per manual for the other models and therefore would likely apply to the750's.

No componant or circuit modifications are 'required' to run KT150's however ARC strongly recommend that an ARC authorised upgrade to SE status is necessary in order to 'maximise' in full the evolved fidelity of the new KT150/SE line.

 

[tdh888]

Hi! so is Our friend from Magallanes going for the upgrade?

Hi,

Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year .Our friend is just going to replace the tubes of his amp from KT120 to KT150. Since ARC cant provide us w/ the quantity of tubes ( KT150's) needed for retubing , we found an alternative source of good quality tubes burned in & closely matched from a tube vendor in Chicago. But its going to take a while before he can complete required number of tubes needed.

Tdh888

 

[tdh888]

Can we just swap the KT120's with KT150's or are there some internal modifications?

Hi ,

When I inquired in behalf of my friend who owns the REF 750, regarding retubing his amp from KT120 to KT150's . Kalvin of ARC said there are no internal modifications needed for the REF 750 to be able to use the KT150, but they dont have enough stocks to supply owners of REF 750's who want to upgrade from KT120 to KT150's.

Tdh888

 

[Argonaut]

Hi ,

When I inquired in behalf of my friend who owns the REF 750, regarding retubing his amp from KT120 to KT150's . Kalvin of ARC said there are no internal modifications needed for the REF 750 to be able to use the KT150, but they dont have enough stocks to supply owners of REF 750's who want to upgrade from KT120 to KT150's.

Tdh888

LoL! Is there an Echo in here....Is there an Echo in here....

 

[tdh888]

Hi ,

Here are some pictures when we did the comparison between the 2 amps.