Gold Lion ECC82 / B749 / 12AU7 Gold Grade / No Cryo Reviews

4.8 Rating 46 Reviews

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909.931.9686

Email:

joel.m@upscaleaudio.com

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2058 Wright Avenue,
2058 Wright Avenue
California
91750

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“Used for Primaluna Dialog Premium preamp. The set of 4 GL tubes replaced factory installed PL tubes. One PL tube went south and did not have a choice but to buy new tubes. Fresh from the box I noticed better clarity of the sound, better dynamics and better extension at frequency extremes. After a while I decided to even better that sound. My question to Upscale was simple: do you have any better tubes in terms of better dynamics, clarity and frq. extension. Their answer was also simple: no. Does anyone need better recommendation? Also tried Brimar. Hadn't tried GL tubes, I would've stayed with Brimar. GL sounds crispier, more detailed.”

Helpful Report

Posted 6 years ago

“I've owned a PrimaLuna Dialogue Premium Integrated amp for almost one year now. I'm amazed how much tube rolling affects the sound, with regard to both the input and output tubes. The unit went from very good, with the stock tubes, to stellar with the KT 120's in the output section with the cryo treated platinum Gold Lions in the input section. The Gold Lion's excel at detail and ambience retrieval, providing significantly more texture with instruments and vocals alike, greater delineation of instruments, a more spacious soundstage, sheer listenability without the slightest bit of glare or listener fatigue and a top to bottom coherence that just begs you to listen for long periods of time. I have not tried the NOS Mullard's or Brimar's yet, but honestly, I'm in no hurry to do so as I can't imagine my system sounding better than it already does. It sounds so good I don't have a sonic wish list, hoping for a little bit more of this or that, like more extension, transparency, dynamics, etc. Instead, I just listen and enjoy what's being played. A bit of info for PrimaLuna owners, just installing 2 of the Gold Lion's in the driver stage had a tremendous impact on the sound, so you don't necessarily need to replace all 6 tubes to dramatically change the sound. However, I did replace all 6, which improved the sound even further.”

4 Helpful Report

Posted 7 years ago

“I like the way it sound, very clear. The mid is very clear and the low is warm and not loud. The high it has a very good sound. Comparing this tube to the Chinese, Ruby tube, Gold Lion is by far a superior. The Chinese tube is a piece of you know what. Do not ever consider buying a Chinese tube is a very poor quality product.”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“I've loved the NOS Mullards but for a while I've wrestled with certain CD's of female vocalists that seemed to shriek at me no matter what I tried... just couldn't enjoy them. These tubes have fixed that in a CJ PV10A and at no compromise from the NOS Mullards. Finally able to play Sheryl Crowe without that fingernails across a chalkboard sensation.”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“Love these tubes, voices sound more natural (i.e. no harshness, or shouty top-end), and frequency extremes are handled very well. Hope their prices don't go up fast as the years go by. 1st hours of use outside the box, it sounds too smooth across the whole frequency range, lacking in visceral impact, reminds me of a Koetsu cartridge. 3 hours later, it starts opening up ...”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago

“Gives a stunning clarity from bass to highs. Drum kit pressures come to life. Highs are not harsh yet have detail. Separates instruments well. Beats the old JJ12ua7's I used to love which seem to have changed in quality. Has a different more detailed sound than a Bugle Boy I heard that was equaled by the old JJ's.”

Helpful Report

Posted 12 years ago