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Tung-Sol KT120 Platinum Grade / No Cryo Reviews

4.7 Rating 78 Reviews
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2058 Wright Avenue
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I had some nice Gold Lion KT88's in my Cary, but these tubes juice up the performance to a whole new level. Increase in bass and dynamics and a lift in sound stage depth. Altogether a great upgrade for an already fantastic amp. Not the sort of thing one can play around with in the solid state world.
Helpful Report
Posted 11 years ago
I found it interesting that Conrad Johnson and Audio Research are migrating to KT 120 based amps, and since the 120s are a simple drop-in in PrimaLuna amps I thought Iâ€:tm:d give them a try. The most noticeable improvement is in the low end and it ainâ€:tm:t subtle. The bass is noticeably stronger, weightier, and more authoritative. The Telarc bass drum whacks are scary good. Even lightly struck bass drums and double basses are more prominent. Other users have reported the same effect. I must admit that Iâ€:tm:m not sure of improvements in other areas. PrimaLunaâ€:tm:s stock KT 88s are awfully good. Lastly, the 120s are dead quiet.
Helpful Report
Posted 11 years ago
These valves replaced the stock KT88s in a Prima Luna Dialogue premium, driving Focal 1008 Be speakers. I loved the KT88s, but the 120's just deliver more authority and punch. I tried the Prima Luna EL34s, which felt thin and weedy, and didnt stay in the amp for very long at all. These tubes have turned the best amp/speaker combo I have ever owned into something even better. Fantastic. As an added bonus they appear to be the same tubes that Prima Luna brand as their own and sell for about twice the price here in Australia. What is there not to like about that.
1 Helpful Report
Posted 11 years ago
I replaced failing Kt88s with the Tung-Sol KT120 in my Pete Millett E-Linear SE KT88 amp. A great improvement!! More authority from top to bottom and very smooth. There was a lack of "snap" that I wanted until raised the plate voltage to about 440v. In my amp this seems to be the sweet spot.
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Posted 11 years ago
Andy Bruns Cazenovia Ny
Unverified Reviewer
My search for tubes for my rogue cronus magnum has ended.I have tried el34's, kt77's,kt90's,6ca7 treasure and finally the kt120's.All i can say is WOW !!. this is the finest tube that i have ever heard in this amp. powerful lows,crisp clean and soaring highs, they just lit up this amp like no other tubes. I am so glad that I tried the cryo version, an outstanding product.If you have a rogue magnum or any amp that can use this tube you should try them. I have never written a fan letter for a tube but these are worth it.
Helpful Report
Posted 12 years ago
Even response along the frequency range with an extended top thatâ€:tm:s not bright. Soundstage is very good. I didnâ€:tm:t find them to be obviously more powerful, however, thereâ€:tm:s an effortlessness to their sound with a wide dynamic range that maybe tells the real story. Among current production tubes the Tung-Sol Reissue 6550s are among my favorites and to that small group Iâ€:tm:d have to add these KT-120s. Iâ€:tm:d purchase them again. (This review is based on listening to eight of them in a conrad-johnson Premier 140 amplifier over QUAD ESL-989 speakers.)
Helpful Report
Posted 13 years ago