Tung-Sol KT120 Platinum Grade / No Cryo Reviews

4.7 Rating 81 Reviews

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909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

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2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
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“I put a quartet of these cyro-treated tubes into my PrimaLuna Prologue 2 to replace a several-year-old set of Primaluna issued KT88s. I could not believe the improvement. There was a richer overall sound spectrum with a bigger but not overbearing bottom, richer mids, and more transparent highs. I played a range of well-recorded CDs through a Musical Fidelity DAC and wow. It made my speakers, Opera 5s, just fill the room with a larger and more engaging sound stage. I even rolled back my REL sub a bit. We're not talking about spending 1000s here on a new power amp, but $250! Most of the additions and tweaks to my rig make modest improvements. I'd say that these tubes and the modded DAC prompted the biggest jumps of all the gear. They really surpassed my expectations--and GUYS--even my girlfriend noticed it and liked it!”

Helpful Report

Posted 10 years ago

“Plopped these in and, oh, it's quite the scene man. If you too own a PL product, what are you waiting for?”

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Posted 10 years ago

“I wrote a review also for the Philips 5R4GYS Made in Holland rectifier tubes that I replaced at the same time. These KT120 bring me more power and authority over my PL KT-88's, to my low sensitivity ProAc Response 2,5S speakers. The KT-88's were also about end-of-life. Have now Â±100 hours playtime on the set, and overall a noticeable quality step-up!! The jury is still out how / if this will further improve, so 4 stars. For more experience see my write-up with the Philips 5R4GYS's. Reason to buy from Upscale audio (and import to Holland at a cost) was their testing and cryogenic treatment option. Very happy also with the customer services and related communications thru the site. Thanks to Kevin and Team!!”

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Posted 11 years ago

“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.”

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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.”

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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.”

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Posted 12 years ago