Gold Lion KT88 No Cryo Reviews

4.9 Rating 163 Reviews

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Phone:

909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

Location:

2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

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“I have several Conrad Johnson amps , Over many years I’ve had many different vacuum tubes, 6550s, KT 88’s ,EL 34s, KT 120s Kt 150s. I really enjoyed Kt 150s for their dynamics and neutral character, I love tung-sol 6550s for the tight base, And sweet sound, I finally just tried golden lion KT 88‘s and they are without a doubt the most wonderful sounding tubes I’ve had in these amps ever. Great soundstage, very realistic, very musical, and no edge whatsoever.Thank you for the great tubes and prompt service”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

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Posted 3 years ago

“OK, I'm convinced...Kevin is right, it matters who you buy your tubes from! Ordered a replacement quad of Gold Lion KT88s (no cryo since they were sold out, though I'm not even sure what that's all about), and I noticed the difference IMMEDIATELY! Bought this same quad from an eBay retailer who had a decent enough reputation and feedback score, claiming similar tube testing/matching methods. Well, matched to what, PVC tubes??? The quad I just received from Kevin & the gang sound and perform NOTHING like what I had been subjected to these last several months from the eBay tubes. The eBay quad generated heat like a friggen blow dryer (couldn't really enjoy the music - too busy being in abject fear of my integrated bursting into a smoke bomb), had my bias settings all over the map, and took a very long time to settle in. The Upscale quad run cooler, bias damn near perfectly in both channels, and sound absolutely spectacular at only about 50 hrs of break-in so far (don't know if my heart can handle what I'm sure to be in store for once I get a good 100 hrs or so of break in under my belt!). As for the GL tubes themselves, the bass is deep and tight; top end is crisp but not brittle or shrill, almost lush; and the mid-range...holy s**t! These tubes really show my upgraded legacy B&W CDM-1NT speakers who's boss and do a fantastic job of taming the 1NT's metal tweets tendency toward harshness at higher volume levels without rolling off the top end. At long last, I see what all the fuss is all about with the GLs, and I couldn't be more pleased. (As a side note, I have a 15-yr old Jolida JD-502B integrated, and it's never sounded better. I paired this quad with Electro-Harmonix 12AX7/12AT7 front end tubes and they all play quite nicely together, like long lost siblings). Please forgive the long-windedness as I'm generally not prone to superlatives. But I felt it important to make known what a difference it makes as to where you acquire your valves and accessories. Excellent service along with fast & careful shipping. So long as Kevin & the gang remain in business and I have disposable income to blow on this hobby, they have a customer for life. Cheers, folks - Well done!!”

3 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

Alek Dominguez

Verified Reviewer

“Excellent Service & Product!”

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Posted 3 years ago

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Posted 3 years ago

Lazaro Fernandez

Verified Reviewer

“My wife bought me the Wilsenton R8 tube amp and it came with the willsenton KT88 , sound ok , after seen Kevin’s review of the gold lion I order 4 from upscale audio , what a HUGE difference, bass is way better and the total sound is amazing, thanks Upscale audio”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago

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Posted 3 years ago

“I was disappointed in the sound of these tubes. They were very thin sounding...severe lack of bass. My amp can run EL34's or KT88's and everyone kept saying the GL KT88's were superior for bass response. The Tung Sol EL34B's which I also purchased here are superior in every aspect over the GL KT88's. Perhaps my amp is just more suited to the EL34's.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 3 years ago