Life of KT 150 Tubes


Auris audio Mono Block -Forte 150 uses Two KT150 for power output for each monos, Very strangely a both amps popped the KT 150 same time. I can vouch it had less than 1000 hours in 2 years as I have NAIM NAC 252/NAP 300 in the same room. I tested the tubes and one is 100% dead and the rest have very marginal life. With great difficulty I have ordered four new tubes. Would any of you know why this would have happened, in the sense bath amps not working at the same time? I am trying to get hold of Auris in Serbia. Even a good Valve tech will not open the unit without schematics and Auris wouldn’t provide one. I am in Canada. There are 2 authorized service center in the US. When crated both amp weighs 94 Kgs.Not easy to ship. I tried with a borrowed set of TUBES , there is no Biasing at all,mA reads 0, but there is signal coming in and VU display lights up. 

Lesson learnt well not to buy equipment that is hard to service. I bought this even before there was a dealer in canada. I tried contacting the distributor Motet in Toronto. They are telling me to contact Dealer in Edmonton 300Km away. He never sold me the unit, why would he have any interest if he didn’t make any money on this unit? The unit cost $16,800 USD. Any advise what I should do?

128x128vishu

@ jerryg123.  You've been lucky.  Isn't that nice.  Why comment on something you know nothing about, much less hurl a pointless ad hominem attack? 

You obviously have never had to ship a 100 pound amp back to the manufacturer for repair.  It costs about $200 to either coast, each way, from where I live.  It costs considerably more if you do not have the original box or do not wish to lift and pack it yourself; recently it was c. $360 by Freighters and Craters, one way.  I do not intend to ever ship an amp to Europe or China, but I do plan to keep supporting US manufacturers.   

 

@vishu ...asked me to take it to Edmonton 300 Kms away to their dealer. I am going this morning and will keep you all  posted.

How was the trip to the dealer in Edmonton back on 4/17 - were they of any help, any luck? Curios to learn more about what compromised your KT150s. Thx. 

@decooney - It’s been 2 weeks since I dropped of the Amps at the Dealer. So far no word yet . Dealer did mention amps will be sent to his Tech and it will take 4 weeks  at the least. Dealer did say he received the schematics from Auris and the case is ‘ out of warranty service’ as I missed by 4 months. Mean time i have already ordered KT 150 from Germany , cost me less than 1/2 the price of canada and USA .KT 150 is made only by Tung Sol and they are Russian . I called supplier in the US , shocked to the hear even though it is in stock they are banned from selling because of sanctions.  KT’s are hard to find.Now I am afraid Custom duty will be very high because of sanctions. Will  find out when I get it.

 

vishu

KT 150 is made only by Tung Sol and they are Russian . I called supplier in the US , shocked to the hear even though it is in stock they are banned from selling because of sanctions.

Huh? There are no sanctions against selling Russian products in the US. Your "supplier" must have other reasons for not wanting to sell to you.

This is nothing but ‘Gouching”  It is true supply is in very big demand for Russian made Tubes. KT 150 used to be available for $100 CAD now you will not find them for $225- $250 per tube now. Canadian availability is very Low, if it is it is pricy.