Quote:Any word on the cost of the upgrade?
We're doing one now and it looks like the bill is going to be around $700 not including tubes. That will turn a MK III into a MK IV with cryo treated beeswax caps.
Quote:What about the Hazen modification? I don't think it would work with a KT66.
The Hazen Grid Mod will have no effect on this tube.
Quote:With upgrading the to the KT66 tube, I am assuming that you lose the Hazen grid mod? How would you compare the sound of the EL34 vs. the KT66 in the new Torii?
The Hazen Grid Mod takes advantage of the internal construction of the EL34 to make it a better sounding tube, and it does. With the circuit changes in the new MK IV, the KT66 is a better fit resulting in an even better sound. The presentation is far better balanced and you get the full range of the volume control without any clipping. Due to the increased voltage swing we introduced into the phase inverter and input stage, EL34's have more gain than they did in the MK III. The result is an amp that is at full power with the volume control barely hitting the half way mark... it can be a little aggressive.
Quote:Does anyone know if the wait time to upgrade our MKIII is the same as buying the new model? I am tempted to sell my MKIII and use those funds toward the MKIV but the thought of being without an amp for months is scary! I guess that will also depend on the cost to upgrade.
Upgrades are typically a two week turnaround, however, if everyone with a MK III sent them in right away, the wait could certainly grow.
Quote:Can the Torii MK.4 use EL34 "Or" KT66's interchangeably?
Yes, it can ship with either one. The TORII MK IV has a new toggle switch that allows you to adjust the bass to perfection with either tube.
Quote:This is what I understand to be the case. Two amps for one! From Steve's post with pic: "These hand picked Tungsol KT66's are a $100 upgrade over the stock EL34's."
This is absolutely correct, the MKIV is a completely different amplifier with either set of tubes and it would be like owning two different amps.
Quote:Like many I am hooked by the blue glow and the shapely bottles. That aside, I'm very curious if the KT66 brings more output. I'll be on the fringe of acceptability with the stock 25 watts. If different tubes can urge even a couple of watts more out of the amp that would weigh stongly in me considering them. I'll be running with the stock EL34s for sure right out of the gate.
The KT66 brings a few more watts to the table, yes. It also has less gain, meaning you have to turn the volume control to a higher position to reach the same loudness as you do with EL34.