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OC and Lon,
Interesting thoughts, though I am not altogether sure the theory holds up (but it could). After all, before the Torii Monos there were only two power tube types for the whole lineup. And the Torii MkII came out of the original Torii, and the MkIII was a refinement of the MkII.
Interestingly for the MkIV, the Monos and Mystery amps had become part of Steve's language...but the MkIV is clearly that...the next iteration of the Torii following the MkIII.
From my conversations with Steve the KT66 just emerged as a tube he was liking a lot in the MkIV as he was refining/testing/voicing. And as he went further with it, the more he seemed to feel good about it. He had done a lot of power tube play with the Mystery amp if I recall, and I bet this is what opened that tube exploration creative door wide as he got closer to finishing the MkIV. And that the EL34 works really well (it was the Torii design basis), and that the KT66 gave such a different and very compelling sound...the two amps for one is a a sweet thing.
Makes me wonder further about the KT77 in the MkIII too OC. I also agree with you both that the MkIII is so good that there is no real reason to go further for me...Luckily, I need another amp, something I have wanted for a few years now, and I am glad it will be the MKIV.
I hope you get up the nerve to try the other tubes OC! I did use the Gold Lion KT77s in the Rachel I had for a while...I think they took a loooonngg time to burn in, and I think they were very articulate and solid if I recall. Dimm memories.
RJR,
My questions are in hopes of steering you in the direction you want to go most efficiently. There are thousands of dollars of legitimate improvements you could make (power treatment, room treatment, cables, preamp, caps, vibration control, tubes, and on), but you clearly want the most for the least toward a more satisfying sound.
No doubt we can help steer you better with a better idea of what needs changing. There are so many ways to adjust the Torii!
My system sounds great with all kinds of music.
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