“They don't call them Gold Lion tubes for nothing :) Replaced Svetlanas 6550c in my VTL ST-150. It's not that I did not like Svetlana 6550c; I like Golden Lion KT88s much better. And I have to mention the great service: I wanted to go with Winged C, but was advised of potential inferior compatibility with my amp. I am glad I followed that great advice.”

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Posted 9 years ago

“I have what you'd call a limited type of amp made in great Britain (Audion). Your experts knew the amp and also knew what I thought was good tube would not last long do to the load from the amp.They then asked what I like to do giving me some other choices.I chose from the selection (golden lions) and just the love sound. Thanks you so much your forever customer!!”

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Posted 10 years ago

“Very happy with the quality of the tubes I received from upscale audio. You need to be careful from whom you buy from, I bought the same product from another vender and it was not the same quality. They had a very flat sound stage and an noise that you could not hear but could sense, hard to describe. Anyways 5 stars for Upscale Audio.”

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Posted 10 years ago

Olivier Closse

Unverified Reviewer

“I heard immediately the basses that where lacking with the original chineese tubes. But the whole register sounds more musical.”

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Posted 10 years ago

Francois Roberge

Unverified Reviewer

“As I'm writing, the tubes have only about fifty hours of use. But uncle Kevin wants an opinion so "voici mon opinion". They are now starting to flourish with smoother bass, very good detail and imaging with a more enjoyable mid range that is not bright, and it's quite noticeable. Very musical. I'm getting the sound I want from these. They are cryogenically treated and have replaced aged Electro Harmonix KT88 in Rogue M-150 monos, so a comparison would be unjust. However, I can say this...I've read some internet blogs from so called experts that say the GLs are the same as the EHs. Well maybe up to a point, except that the EH KT88 does not have side getters, only at the top while the GL has two on opposite sides and one on top. There's one reason why they cost more. I was apprehensive before making this purchase (especially with devalued Canadian $), however, with so many favourable reviews I put in my order for an octet (two matched quads). Once installed bias was slowly brought up to 40ma after 45 minutes of war up. It' been five days and no drift. So if you want nice sounding KT88 tubes that don't cost $750 a pair this is the way to go. Don't be shy and don't be cheap, get them. I'm very happy with the purchase from Upscale Audio. F.Y.I. Preamp is ARC SP16 with ARC's own tubes and speakers are Vandersteen 2Ce paired with 2WQs.”

1 Helpful Report

Posted 10 years ago

“I replaced 4 Tung Sol 6550's with these Gold Lion KT-88's in my Jolida 502. I use a passive set up with no tone controls as a pre-amp. Basically just a volume pot from the components to the amp. Pure as I can get. The difference in sound was not subtle at all. It was immediate. These KT-88's have a tighter, bigger bass sound. And the sound field is out of this word. The stereo imaging is almost visual. Very impressed with these tubes. I had read a few negative comments about their reliability though. So I bought them from Upscale Audio because of their unique tube testing procedures. Hopefully the great sound will last the tubes lifetime.”

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Posted 10 years ago

“Although I have less than 50 hours on the Gold Lions, to my ear, they sound better than the stock tubes and the Svetlana SED "Winged C" EL34's that I tried. The sound with the Gold Lions is crystal clear at all frequencies. The tube "warmth" is still there, but without compromising the mid and high frequencies. Perfect for my Cayin A88T MKII.”

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Posted 10 years ago

“I tried these as a potential replacement of my stock Prima Luna set in my Dialogue Two. First impressions were very positive: the Gold Lions are extremely detailed, sophisticated and transparent. Quick and airy with fine rhythmic precision, and look the part too. Why 4 stars then? It lacks punch and authority. The bass is very dry, tight and tuneful, but lacks body, drive and energy. Kick drums, double bass, electric bass, grand piano - you "hear" them but do not "feel" them. As my friend pointed out, "it shrinks your floorstanders to bookshelf speakers." We listened to the Gold Lions in another system (built around a Cary SLi80), but experienced the same. The set was well break in with around 100 hours in it. I can imagine that systems with unruly and/or overblown bass can benefit from this character, but the Gold Lions were clearly not for me. Finally I picked a set of Tung-Sol KT120s. Compared to the Genalex you lose some details and finesse, but with it comes verve, flesh and bones. Good buy chamber music, hello rock'n'roll! Honestly, after the enthusiastic performance of the KT120s the Gold Lions sound way too matter-of-fact. So, 4 stars it is.”

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Posted 11 years ago

Gold Lion KT88 No Cryo Reviews