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KT88 vs 6550 vs ? for warm midrange - using Cronos Mag lll

I've been listening to an ST70 with EL34 Tubes & really enjoy the Sound .

Using the Cronos with KT120's  it's a different sound / feel - sounds wonderful but seems either more balance / neutral overall . Maybe more lower end but not as sweet in mid range as the 34's 

34's in the cronos is possible but not really advisable [ too much current into tubes - 1/2 the life span  even with proper biasing ] 

I've been running the amp in Triode mode and seem to prefer sound .  Listening levels are moderate / low  avg 75 db 

I'm good with the kt120's but maybe another tube would bring more mids to the game 

 

* Note - I have changed All the preamp tube to NOS - It has been a significant improvement !-  Telefunken is at center  12au7 , flanked by RCA clear tops , 2 GE ax7 's 

Any suggestions for power tubes is most welcome - Rogue audio is shipping  kt88's in lieu of the 120's [ for yrs due to war etc.] 

what's gained or lost when changing from the 120's ?

 

forgot - Primary Speakers - Dynaudio special 40's , primary source is Vinyl 

 

Thanks  

 

mfm22

Showing 1 response by helomech

helomech
1,850 posts
 

I have a Cronus Dark that shipped from their factory with PS Vane KT-88s. Years ago I owned a CMII with the KT-120s. Going off memory, this newer version sounds more refined with the KT-88s, but it’s impossible to say whether that’s owed to the tubes or upgraded parts. I think perhaps the bass with these KT-88s is slightly less impactful than it was with the CMII/120s. 

Also, I was told that Rogue has continued shipping their amps with the 88s because the batches of Tung-Sol 120s they have been receiving since the war began have not been able to hold bias consistently. 

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