Gold Lion KT77 tubes for Primaluna Amp - a few questions


I have a Primaluna Dialog Premium HP amp (stereo mode), and am currently running the stock el34s.  With 4 per channel, the re-tubing and tube rolling discussions can get expensive, so I have been treading lightly. Having read numerous threads (lots of great discussions and comments - thanks to everyone who has contributed) I have decided to give the golden lion KT77 tubes a go.  I have a few questions.

1- in looking around, I see there a multiple sources of the tubes.  From multiple eBay sources (some which appear to specialize in tubes and others that do not, some are “genelex authorized dealers”) to the well known Upscale Audio.  The pictures of the tubes all appear to be similar.  Am I correct in assuming they are all the same genelex “made in Russia” tubes?

2- one of the things that appears to differentiate the different suppliers is how they match them.  Is all matching the same, as long as they are “close enough”?  I see factory matched, hand matched, transconductance, plate current, 5%, 10%.  Lots of stuff here.  ESPECIALLY for the self biasing Primaluna amp, how critical is the matching method?

3- one last question about dealers.  I am in the Chicagoland area and I recall somewhere someone saying or posting that they buy all their tubes from a local company, that was very good and knowledgeable. Does anyone know who this dealer is? All things being equal, supporting the local economy (and being able to talk to another audiophile across the counter) is a good thing.

finally, just so we don’t go down a different rabbit hole, I did replace the center two 12au7s with mullard NOS 4003 from Upscale Audio.  One of the best things I have done to my system. Wow.  I plan on changing the other four, too.

THANKS 

Bill
meiatflask
I've purchased Genalex GL KT-88's and several other tubes from ebay dealer wpc1896 based in Ohio. Had one tube go bad after several months of use and it was replaced free of charge. Have also purchased from Viva Tubes, Tube Depot and a few of the Chinese dealers on ebay selling Psvane & Shugaung tubes. I've relied mostly upon feedback for the purchases and I'm totally satisfied with the quality of tubes, service and pricing they've provided. The only problem with the Chinese dealers is that if you do get a bad tube, which I have, it can take a several months to get the exchange done for the replacement. They've always made it right though.    
Is it standard practice for a tube supplier to require buyers to return tubes (and pay return shipping) that failed inside of the warranty period, and pay shipping for the tube replacement?   That's what I experienced with Kevin Deal from Upscale Audio.   Seems like poor customer service to me, but I can see how suppliers want proof that a tube failed prior to agreeing on replacement... but I disagree with requiring the buyer pay shipping both ways.
Compulsive tube rollers have caused this policy IMO by trying to return tubes that did not meet their expectations.
Compulsive tube rollers have caused this policy IMO by trying to return tubes that did not meet their expectations.
I have been curious about trading tubes.  I have 8 matched gold lion KT77s from my Primaluna HP amp, with about 30 hours on them.  They are from upscale audio, paid 50 each (400 for the set).  After some listening, I decided I preferred something else as a better match for my speakers.  Rather then have them sit in the drawer, I wonder if there is a mechanism to trade them to someone else for ...... ?  

I thought about setting up a separate thread to propose this, but since this thread became active again, I thought I’d throw it out there again.

unless someone knows of something already set up.

bill