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General Initial Impressions--Genalex Gold Lion KT88 Reissue

I've been on a tear of tube rolling with no end other than to try things out and see how I like them.  

I am trying out the Genalex Gold Lion KT88 reissues--8 of them--in a Primaluna Dialogue Premium HP integrated.  I mated them with 4 Cifte 12AU7s and 2 Baldwin (likely early 60s) 12AU7s.  

I made the mistake of not changing my selector switch from EL34 to KT88 during the first 20 hours of listening to the Gold Lion KT88s.  Regardless, I thought they sounded pretty great out of the box with the EL34 setting.  

It's still early in the process so I'm not 100% certain of everything. My initial impression is that these offer the sweetness of EL34 midrange while extending most of the sound spectrum.  There's a good bit of air on the top and mid to upper level detail is superb.  Compared to the EL34 reissues, I think the bass is a touch softer yet more defined--yet this is early and I need to compare with recordings that are tattooed on my aural memory before making final conclusions. 

Overall, I'd say this reissue is a damn fine tube.  I'm not finding any noticeable shortcomings or faults.  Everything is musical and enjoyable.  Smooth is the order of the day with this tube, yet it's not sleepy or droopy. It's a nice mix, in my mind's eye, of vintage and modern.  I really like them.  

I bought a matched octet from Upscale, but I didn't have these cryoed like most others I've bought. 

I'm super curious to hear about other users' experiences. 
128x128jbhiller
newbee
4,767 posts
 
Jond, Unfortunately not. When I have more funds and a shorter supply of tubes I want to give GL's a try.

Samzx12, Are you implying that the EH KT88 is a replacement, in fact, for the Sovtek, i.e. identical in all respects, just a different label? FWIW, in recent years I have principally used the Sovtek KT88, the SED KT88, and the Tung-sol 6550, depending on the amps and system set up. The Tung-sol is my current 'go to' tube 
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samzx12
1,220 posts
 
Newbee: I didn't say the EH KT88 were a replacement for anything. I just stated they sounded sterile, clinical or analytical and lacking in bass in my amp compared to other KT88.  Don't get me wrong they have bass just not enough  of it.  The Gold Lion KT88 sounded MUCH better and a more balanced tube from top to bottom.  I have not tried any of the KT88 you mentioned however, have heard the TS 6550 is a nice tube. 

Oh and the Gold Lion KT77 is a very nice tube and I think you would love it.  It is more of a hybrid tube between the KT88 and EL34. 
boxer12
8,656 posts
 
As far as new production tubes are concerned, I don't think you can go wrong with the GL KT88's. I've tries treasures, JJ's, & the KT90. Of those I prefer the GL KT88. My amp is SE so I'm sure that makes a difference, but I really wish they would come out with a new production tube that has the mid range beauty of the older 6550 TS's or even GE's. The old TS black plates are absolutely gorgeous. 
audioman58's avatar
audioman58
4,175 posts
 
The Golden Lion are excellent very musical and Nothing even close to better balanced look also at this multi review online.Ron at Cryoset  Yes Cryoed Tubes are not only closer tolerance, but last longer. And best pricing plenty of reviews on line.
wolf_garcia
6,708 posts
 
I have to give a hearty approval to KT120s as it took a LONG time to wear out a quad of them in my last push-pull amp and I liked those tubes…then switched to GL KT88s in that amp and sold it after replacing it with a Dennis Had single ended thing. The Had came with GL 88s, and I just stuck a pair of 120s in it (there sort of cheap these days) and they sound great. Not sure if they're better sounding in this amp than the Sovteks or GLs, but hey…I can get years of fun from switching them around so there's that. 
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