Gold Lion KT88 No Cryo Reviews

4.9 Rating 159 Reviews

Visit Product Page

Phone:

909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

Location:

2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

Visit Product Page

“I agree with everything Kevin said about these tubes in the video as well as many of the commenters. They are clear and detailed throughout all frequencies - strong bass, clear & liquid midrange, extended highs (which balance out the top-end softness in Tannoy Revolution XT-8F speakers)”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

Peter Dufour

Verified Reviewer

“A little more punch in the low end then the EL34s I was using before. Very happy with the performance.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

Alex Bornstein

Verified Reviewer

“Love the KT88s in my integrated Primaluna Prologue Two. Much more dynamic than my Mullard EL34s with my Magnepan LSRs. I wasn’t sure if this tube amp had the oomph for LSRs but it has been a month and I still haven’t rehooked up the solid state amp with tube pre. Sweet KT88s”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

David Sheaffer

Verified Reviewer

“I bought these to replace a set of 6550s in an old tube amp I inherited. Everything you've read about these tubes is true. They sound fantastic. I'm listening to Buddy Guy right now. I feel like Upscale Audio really takes the time to match them on tubezilla. I have a bias meter on the amp and they are solid as a rock.”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“My PL Dialogue Premium HP integrated amp came with the stock EL34 that I absolutely love. I have the wonderful Harbeth 30.1 speakers where the midrange is already glorious but bass shy. After some research, the Gold Lion KT88s seemed to be the output tubes to try. I wasn’t disappointed with regards to the added dynamics and improved bass performance after I tried these KT88s. However, in the context of my system and personal preference, a little further tweak was needed so I won’t miss my beloved EL34s too much. Long story short, the final tweak was installing the NOS Mullards 12AU7s in the front slots, followed by the Cifte 12AU7s and kept the stock PL 12AU7s as is (outermost) on my HP integrated amp. In these context, the Gold Lion KT88s shine and 5 stars for me. Danny E”

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

Author didn't leave any comments.

Helpful Report

Posted 5 years ago

“I have a simple set up of a Cary CAD 120s amp, Cary SLP-98P, Cary SACD 303T and a Rega RP8 turntable, Dynavector XX2 MkII cartridge and Totem Forest speakers. I have tried the stock tubes EH KT-88 and Tungsul 6550 to KT-120. I must say i was impressed when I put in the kt-120s into my cary 120s amp. With the bigger dynamics and wide sound stage. Though I felt I lost a lot of the midrange magic and the bass throw of the kt-88s. I was stuck in a hard place looking for a cross between the power of the kt-120 and the midrange of the EH kt-88s keven said that kt-88s don't have a sound Gold lions have there own. He is right i finally found a tube that has big dynamics like the kt120's and even more midrange glory! Playing Bryan Adams or Van Halen on vinyl you can actually hear distinctly what octave the bass player is playing. Over the lead guitar or Eddie's guitar solo, and the sustain on each note he plays sounds more like a real tube amp, like never before. Or Tina Turner's voice in Its only love by Bryan Adams, sounds more sweet in the high notes and real then the kt-120s. And bass from tin pan alley by stivie ray is more fuller like the kt-88s. But goes noticeably almost as low as the kt120s and, room filling. Also playing todays digital music like Ariana Grande's Jason's Song, I have never heard a finger snap so clear, vocals so high and realistic, or In Daft Punk, Lose Yourself to Dance, and Beyond have so much a bass and sustain.. Defiantly a killer tube you must try!”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 7 years ago

“At a very early age, I found myself mesmerized by the glow of the vacuum tube as records were being played - in an Motorola "all-in-one" wooden console. Over 45 years later, I searched for that "magical" moment, rebuilding my late father's Sansui receiver. It was certainly great, hearing it again. I still wanted more, and spent an entire weekend watching Kevin's YouTube videos. The following Monday, I pulled the trigger on a PrimaLuna Dialogue Integrated Amp. The EL34's sounded great, but like many of the other reviewers, I wanted additional bass. The Gold Lion KT88 (cryo) were ordered from Premium Audio, and the EL34's were replaced. I started with Billie Holiday (Lady Signs the Blues), and continued with Miles Davis (Kind of Blue). I sat in the dark smiling, and I was a 7 year old again, staring at the glowing, beautiful tubes. My ears finally found what they wanted, and it was way beyond what I ever recalled as a kid.”

2 Helpful Report

Posted 7 years ago