Karl Kandler

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Posted 2 years ago

Charles Proctor

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Posted 2 years ago

“I love these KT120s. I agree with what another reviewer said they are the "English Gentleman with a bit rugby player mixed in". I especially love how they handle the lower frequency ranges. Crisp yet warm. The contrabasses in jazz sets really come alive with their very individual characters. For me they ended my tube rolling. Also was very happy with the quality of the tubes from Upscale. I bought my second set of these KT120s a few months before the pandemic during which I used them almost daily, and frequently more than 10 hours a day. They lasted up to yesterday (October 2021) when I noticed the first distortions. So, almost 2 years of very heavy use. I did a quick and very rough calculation and I came up with an estimated cost of 10 (or less) cents per hour for them. Cannot think of much that can gave me so much joy for 10 cents per hour :). Top quality tubes from a top quality seller.”

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Posted 2 years ago

Dave Johnson

Verified Reviewer

“I always buy my tubes from Upscale Audio. Their knowledge and products are peerless in my opinion.”

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Posted 2 years ago

“When one of the stock power tubes went out on my 2-yr old Primaluna Dialog HP, I decided it might be fun to try something new. I love my Primaluna, but I thought it occasionally sounded a bit too polite on rock music. After talking it through with Mike, I decided to roll a new set of KT-120s. I’m loving the difference. I don’t feel like I lost much, if anything, in the midrange, but I definitely gained something at the low and high ends. Chris Squire’s base growls in a very impolite way on Roundabout. I hear more weight and more definition on the low end. On my setup, it’s the difference between hearing the bass and feeling the bass. Vocals and acoustic instruments still sound great, and well-recorded cymbals sound like they’re in the room. Highly recommended if you’re looking for more a little more punch from Primaluna gear. Primaluna Dialog HP with Brimar CV4003 in the gain tube slots Spatial Audio M3 Sapphire open baffle speakers LUMIN U1 Mini streamer with Schiit Gugnir multibit DAC Project Extension turntable, Ortofon Quintet Black MC PS Audio Stellar Phono Pre”

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Posted 2 years ago

Anthony Kurcon III

Verified Reviewer

“When I first dropped the KT120s into my power amp, I thought oh no, what did I do! They were a bit cranky, bright, dry and very upfront. Bass was thin, but still well controlled. The highs were a bit harsh. Midrange was dry and had little body. Overall, from top to bottom, everything was a bit fuzzy and incoherent. The soundstage was not as deep or well defined. I certainly lost all the EL34 glory I've been enjoying over the past few years. After about 20hrs to shake off, everything began to improve. I'm at approximately the 100hr mark now. What a difference. The bass is deeper, tight, full, powerful and even more well controlled, especially in the lowest octaves. Quite impressive. The highs are beautifully clear, airy and shimmering, but not at all harsh or fatiguing. The midrange to me is 98% as glorious as EL34s. Perfect saturation, warmth and just the right amount of color. Compared to EL34s, losing 2% in the midrange is a very small price to pay for the extended highs and lows with more control and coherency from top to bottom. This is all running the tubes in ultra-linear. Running the KT120s as triode strapped pentodes, is far better than EL34s in the same configuration. You get all the EL34 glory with more authoritative, deeper bass, deeper, more defined and wider soundstage, less rolled off highs and the midrange is just glorious. I only used triode mode with EL34s for jazz, female vocals and overly hot recordings. I find myself listening in triode mode more often now with a variety of genres. For me and in my system, the KT120s are definitely an upgrade from EL34s. Highly recommended. Just give them some time to settle in. EL34s are like an English Gentlemen, while KT120s are like that English Gentlemen with a little bit of Rugby Player mixed in. Have to give a shout out to Upscale Audio for prompt delivery, secure packaging, great online resources and premium quality tubes. Kudos to Kevin for the many great and informative videos as well as honestly promoting such great audio gear. My System: Preamp - PrimaLuna EVO 300 (all stock tubes)/NAD C165BEE, Power Amp - PrimaLuna DiaLogue Premium HP (stock 12AU7s), DAC - Oppo Sonica, Speakers - GoldenEar Triton One”

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Posted 2 years ago

Terry Mcdonald

Verified Reviewer

“I have had alot of fun with Upscales Audio powertubes the Kt120 TungSol purchased. It was nice to have tube/valves that were already Burned in for 72hrs . Compared to my Kt88 the Kt120 have much Fuller/stronger lowend with very good Dynamics The top end has a Sizzle to the Sonic sound Chacter also , The midbody is warm inviting and a lil bit more meat on the bone than me kt88s Very Happy with my Purchase Kevin ! Thank you Kevin From -TeeJay The Stereo Bargain File (utube)”

Tung-Sol KT120 No Cryo / Platinum Grade Reviews