Hello mozartfan. Be sure that the tubes are biased properly. The proper bias may differ for the different tubes. In general, the tube working the least hard will last longer. So the KT120s should outlast the others. If the price of the tubes is not a factor, go with the KT120s if the sound is good. Bob Carver is using KT120 in his amps and he runs them so cool you can put your hand on them. A remarkable tube! Enjoy the music!
El34 = KT88 = KT120
Sure the KT120 is 2x;'s the size of a EL34.
But in my limited expereince ((thus far,,have 1 more experiement just ahead when my new speakers arrive and I build the cabinet, then further testing of the 3 types can begin)
You get something nice of one tube vs the other 2, and another of he 3 shines better here, the last is slightly superior in this/that aspect.
6 of 1 /half dozen of the other.
I mean it all boils down gain here, and give up something there.
Power tube = power tube.
I would not make such a big deal over the comparisons.
Thats said.
I think for me , i prefer the EL34 of all power tubes (as I've been told its the best of the 3) , Why?
Because its the ideal tube in a PP amp for a single wide band speaker.
But i could be wrong,
Will test out the 3 tubes in a few weeks.
I actually could not hear much differences on the Seas speakers. All 3 sounded so very close.
You might say the Kt120's out shoot the tiny EL34 in the low bass fq's.
I have Mundorf caps in the amp, these high end caps adds a nice punchy bass to any tube in the socket.
The EL34 has just about same bass as the huge KT120's.
I just don't see much difference to debate the issue.
But in my limited expereince ((thus far,,have 1 more experiement just ahead when my new speakers arrive and I build the cabinet, then further testing of the 3 types can begin)
You get something nice of one tube vs the other 2, and another of he 3 shines better here, the last is slightly superior in this/that aspect.
6 of 1 /half dozen of the other.
I mean it all boils down gain here, and give up something there.
Power tube = power tube.
I would not make such a big deal over the comparisons.
Thats said.
I think for me , i prefer the EL34 of all power tubes (as I've been told its the best of the 3) , Why?
Because its the ideal tube in a PP amp for a single wide band speaker.
But i could be wrong,
Will test out the 3 tubes in a few weeks.
I actually could not hear much differences on the Seas speakers. All 3 sounded so very close.
You might say the Kt120's out shoot the tiny EL34 in the low bass fq's.
I have Mundorf caps in the amp, these high end caps adds a nice punchy bass to any tube in the socket.
The EL34 has just about same bass as the huge KT120's.
I just don't see much difference to debate the issue.