I'm looking at buying a quad of either of these for my ST-120. Any consensus as to which ones to buy. Price is the same. Can't audition either set. Really want to keep a set on hand for spares.
Thanks in advance
Thanks in advance
+3
mantha3
ArlanB
WntrMute2
7 posters
Shuguang vs. Gold Lion
WntrMute2- Posts : 116
Join date : 2010-11-21
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Last edited by PeterCapo on Wed Dec 02, 2020 1:48 pm; edited 1 time in total
ArlanB- Posts : 73
Join date : 2011-01-23
Age : 77
Location : Santa Cruz, California
I have had Penta Labs KT88SC's in my VTA ST-120 for over 2 years now and I really like their sound. They are the solid plate version. Have not had any trouble with splayed pins, however the solder job at the tips of the pins sometimes needs minor burr removal to facilitate ease of seating the tubes for the first time. I have also had Gold Lion KT88s which lasted all of two and a half weeks before catastrophic failure. So I moved on to Chinese tubes after trying JJ, and Elektroharmonics as well. None of the tubes from Russia seem to last very long.
Psvane and Treasure series from Shuguang are out of my budget range.
ArlanB
Psvane and Treasure series from Shuguang are out of my budget range.
ArlanB
WntrMute2- Posts : 116
Join date : 2010-11-21
Yes, the tubes are KT-88s. Although I could be convinced to try the KT-120s
mantha3- Posts : 303
Join date : 2010-11-10
I run a quad of Shuguang treasure KT88s in my ST120 and they sound excellent.
Take a look at Grant Fidelity online. They sell these and the normal Shuguang KT88. Take a look at the Psvane line... Good stuff.
Take a look at Grant Fidelity online. They sell these and the normal Shuguang KT88. Take a look at the Psvane line... Good stuff.
WntrMute2- Posts : 116
Join date : 2010-11-21
Bob,you got an opinion on this? What do you think about the KT-120s in your ST-120?
avi.inc- Posts : 62
Join date : 2009-08-03
Age : 71
Location : L.A.
Not Bob
I have KT-120 in my st-120 and i love them. I had three set of the goldlions and they never lasted very long (three to four months) The KT-120 almost 18 months and no problems and i think they sound better!!
I have KT-120 in my st-120 and i love them. I had three set of the goldlions and they never lasted very long (three to four months) The KT-120 almost 18 months and no problems and i think they sound better!!
Bob Latino- Admin
- Posts : 3272
Join date : 2008-11-26
Location : Massachusetts
WntrMute2 wrote:Bob,you got an opinion on this? What do you think about the KT-120s in your ST-120?
The Tung-Sol KT120's work great in both the VTA ST-120 and the VTA M-125 monoblocks. To my ears, the KT120's are a little "tubier" sounding than the GL KT88's. Kind of like an EL34 on steroids .. Because the KT120's have a higher voltage rating and the plates are physically larger than a KT88's plates, they should be more durable tubes than KT88's in both amps .. Below is a photo that I have posted before. I did a temperature test with an infrared thermometer running KT120's in my own VTA ST-120. The amp does run a little warmer but works fine and sounds great with the KT120 tubes ..
Bob
WntrMute2- Posts : 116
Join date : 2010-11-21
Any thoughts on whether using the KT-120s stress that 5ar4 rectifier any more than with the KT-88s?
Bob Latino- Admin
- Posts : 3272
Join date : 2008-11-26
Location : Massachusetts
As long as you bias the KT120 like a KT88 in the ST-120 amp (55 milliamps per each output tube), it doesn't seem to stress out a GZ34 tube rectifier any more than a KT88.
Bob
Bob
jdm- Posts : 45
Join date : 2011-04-04
I run the Tung-Sol KT120's for several hours a day and have over 1000 hours on a quad and agree with Bob on the sound. I also like the GL's and have over 500 hours on those and use them to listen to my different 12AT7's. I do run those KT-120's with 3 new inexpensive Tung-Sol 12AT7's and they seem to have great transparency with the KT120's verses the NOS Mullard E180CC's from Holland. Mullard GZ34 is a must upgrade. I assume most quality tubes for the VTA ST-120 are interesting to listen and enjoy. A quad of Shuguang KT88s will also sound great in this amp. "Svitanak" tonight and Szechwan
tomorrow!
tomorrow!
evgenibgr- Posts : 16
Join date : 2012-02-28
jdm wrote: the NOS Mullard E180CC's from Holland.
Could you please share your impressions of the sound of "NOS Mullard E180CC's from Holland" in the center position.
jdm- Posts : 45
Join date : 2011-04-04
Here is a link that reviews the Mullard E180CC and several other tubes.
http://www.artsandmedia.com/5965.html
http://www.artsandmedia.com/5965.html
mantha3- Posts : 303
Join date : 2010-11-10
I run some Phillips SQ E180CC in my ST120. I run a Mullard CV millitary 12at7 in the middle VTA volt amp spot and then these E180CC in the phase splitter spots right and left on the VTA.
I'd go to E Pay and look up a Langrex in England. They are good to buy from ( I have and Bob I think has) and they have these. Buy two and get a matched pair. These are industrial and will last longer then us!
I'd go to E Pay and look up a Langrex in England. They are good to buy from ( I have and Bob I think has) and they have these. Buy two and get a matched pair. These are industrial and will last longer then us!
mantha3- Posts : 303
Join date : 2010-11-10
PS - Try a nice NOS pair of 6414 GE black plates in place of the 12AT7... Smooth as silk and excellent! Long lasting 10,000 hour tubes.