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ARC VS-115 6550's or KT120's

Hello everyone, this is my first post for open opinions.    I recently updated my power am from a Jolida 502P to an ARC VS-115.  The Jolida was modified with Level 1 and Level 3 Mods, not sure what that meant, but I got a good deal on it from a fellow Audiogon member and its served me well.     I wanted a bit more power and openness and I sure got it with the ARC VS-115.   The rest of my system is as follows.   REGA RP8 with Hana SL Cartridge.  Im using a Sim Audio LP5.3 with the outboard power supply,   PreAmp is ARC LS16 Mk2,  Interconnects all around are Signal Cable Silver Resolution and speaker wires are Anti Cable 3.0.   Speakers are Spatial Audio M4 in red with spike feet.   OK, so here is my big question.    The ARC VS115 came with new 6550 tubes, my Jolida 502P was using KT-120's ,  I know apples and oranges.    My thought is , am I missing out with the VS-115 by not using a new set of KT-120's, or should I just use the 6550's for a year or so because they are new.  I hate to waste new tubes, but I am curious if anyone has made the upgrade and how was it?   Im not really concerned about the price of the new tubes, its more about wasting the 6550's,  because lets face it,  if the KT-120's are that much better, why would I ever go back to 6550's?     Thoughts?    Thanks. 
whiskeypirate
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twoleftears's avatar
twoleftears
5,318 posts
 

This is only semi-relevant, but whatever.

My Rogue CMII came with the Tung-Sol KT120s.  After I little while I splurged on a matched quad of Genelex Gold Lion KT-88s.  The 120s are now back in the CMII: more power/punch, more bass extension, and the 88's only sounded very slightly sweeter.  YMMV, but ultimately you won't know until you try it.  It's a $250 gamble...

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olskool
2 posts
 
Hello whiskeypirate, IMHO your question is legitimate and the answer is I would make the switch to the KT120’s in a heartbeat!  I own a VS-115 with KT120’s now but when I first purchased the VS it came with 6550’s (before ARC acknowledged it was ok to go to KT120’s). It was my first tube amp and I thought it was great with 6550’s till I upgraded to the KT120’s!  The 120’s provided more punch, dynamics, bass grip, extension, sweetness and was a great all around improvement. 

I recently upgraded to ARC Ref210 mono blocs with KT88’s and 6550’drivers and during new tube break-in was about ready to sell the 210’s and go back to the VS-115’s.  I’m finally in love with the Ref210’s (tube break-in was a serious time of variation in sound quality) but it really made me appreciate what a great amplifier the VS-115 with KT120’s is! It punches way above its weight class and is one hell of a used value in the low $3,000 and below!  I can’t take the Ref210 to KT120’s or it would have been done a while ago! I hope this helps; enjoy your amp!

Olskool
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