Shall I replace ARC Reference 150 tube to KT150?

siumeng

Dear All Ching,

I am using ARC Reference 150 for half year, heard some Ching changed tube to KT150, however, some of Ching advice not change!

Can any used Ching shared your experience?

AS881

why not send a mail to Audio Research for more safety?

siumeng

This is water goods, not sure if their can upgrade! and as per Audiogon, upgrade from Reference 150 to 150se charge US$5000 in USA!

AS881

siumeng 發表於 2015-7-1 18:14
This is water goods, not sure if their can upgrade! and as per Audiogon, upgrade from Reference 150  ...

Then I advice not to change the tube la.....until modification has been made.
Charge US$5000 for upgrade is too crazy...

ThomasLi@FB

There are many discussions on this topic in different forum. Many ARC150 users said KT150 is a direct drop in replacement of KT120, no modification is needed.

The general comment on improvement is better bass control and enhanced dynamic.

You have to decide whether to risk this upgrade.

siumeng

That's right!
How risk is this upgrade? I would like to hear from Ching already replace tube to KT150!

ThomasLi@FB

I used to have a pair of ARC250 water goods. At that time, there was no KT150 issue, but if it was available, I would upgrade to KT150 without a 2nd thought.

Buying water goods is a risk already, upgrading it to KT150 would not post undue extra risk. The improvement in sound should justify the whole thing. Please keep us posted with the progress.

jonahung

siumeng 發表於 2015-7-2 10:24
That's right!
How risk is this upgrade? I would like to hear from Ching already replace tube to KT15 ...

hi,

As a user of Ref 110, I have replaced with KT150 for almost 9 months. So far I did not experience any problem, and the sonic improvement is substantial.

The power consumption of KT150 is just a little higher than KT120. I think all amp that using KT120 can be replaced with KT150 safely, although it depends on the quality of the transformer. I think ARC transformer still have a large margin for that.

siumeng

that's great! I will order and hope can replace new week!
Shall I adjust the bias before and after replacing the Tube? or really just drop in?

ThomasLi@FB

Just adjust the bias as usual and you are set to go.

jonahung

siumeng 發表於 2015-7-3 12:54
that's great! I will order and hope can replace new week!
Shall I adjust the bias before and after r ...

I just follow the instruction on the menu to set the bias, not difficult

CKKeung

siumeng 發表於 2015-7-3 12:54
that's great! I will order and hope can replace new week!
Shall I adjust the bias before and after r ...

siumeng hing,

Why not spend a little more and get the cryo-treated and matched KT-150 from this reliable store?
http://www.cryoset.com/catalog/i ... 5d497e849aa5632a52e

siumeng

jonahung 發表於 2015-7-3 17:52
I just follow the instruction on the menu to set the bias, not difficult

Thanks Jonahung!

siumeng

CKKeung 發表於 2015-7-3 18:11
siumeng hing,

Why not spend a little more and get the cryo-treated and matched KT-150 from this r ...

Thanks CKKeung!
For ARC 150, I should order 4 pair of matched KT150, RIGHT?
Not 2 quad set KT150!

CAS2012

junahung Ching, good news for r110 user. I had been thinking of replacing the come with 6550 tubes for a long long time, but so far no one in audio forums mention KT150 can direct drop in, many are using KT120 instead. Somehow, ARC recently confirms only ARC 75/150 can use KT150 with minor modification. Now I can order KT150 for my r110 after reading your post. BTW, is there any ill effect so far in using KT150, like run hotter inside, apart from sonically superior than 6550, wish you can tell us more about it.  

CKKeung

siumeng 發表於 2015-7-4 10:14
Thanks CKKeung!
For ARC 150, I should order 4 pair of matched KT150, RIGHT?
Not 2 quad set KT150! ...

Please email Ron Sheldon of Cryoset.
He is friendly and helpful.
The matched and cryo-treated EH-6h30 inside my ARC 40Anni preamp were bought from him.

jonahung

siumeng 發表於 2015-7-4 10:14
Thanks CKKeung!
For ARC 150, I should order 4 pair of matched KT150, RIGHT?
Not 2 quad set KT150! ...

I think 8 match is the best, but I cannot find any in ebay.

So I order 2 set of quad matched

jonahung

CAS2012 發表於 2015-7-4 10:42
junahung Ching, good news for r110 user. I had been thinking of replacing the come with 6550 tubes f ...

I have used for almost 9 month and the tube used more than 400hr without any problem.

Improvement in all aspect, especially the bass is deep and strong

jonahung

CAS2012 發表於 2015-7-4 10:42
junahung Ching, good news for r110 user. I had been thinking of replacing the come with 6550 tubes f ...

They are hot and big. The space inside the amp became very limited. Ventilation should be taken into account.

CAS2012

Thanks jonahung Ching for your information.

My friend once drop in KT150 into his Carry tube amp, he said the power transformer became so hot that he cannot even touch it. He sold the tubes next day. The heater filament of KT150 is larger than 6550C by 30%, when you are using KT150, will the power transformer becomes unusually hot? Because the heat may shorten the life span of components inside, that is what my concern.