Kevin Formeister

“I have not been able to use these tubes yet because of a back order. I have no doubt about them though, because I have purchased tubes from Upscale Audio for almost two decades and have never been disappointed”

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Posted 3 years ago

Mamoru Wilkie

Verified Reviewer

“The tube is great, but the customer service was THE best I've ever received. Kudos to Upscale Audio.”

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Posted 4 years ago

JosÃ© Morales

Unverified Reviewer

“I have a 20-year old BAT 150 SE amplifier, and I decided to upgrade its two 6V6 tubes. Because I have bought BEL's and RFT's NOS tubes for my tube phono Decware preamp from them like eight years ago, and later buying two 6H30Pi cryogenically treated tubes for my BAT 150 SE from Upscale, I decided to take a look at Upscale's offer in the 6V6 tubes. After reading the description and the costumer reviews, I decided to go for the Pope 6V6GT with its highest treatment: cryo frozen and the platinum level. Although I cannot complain about the sound of the stock 6V6russian tubes (EH), I was ready to experiment what improvements a non-stock 6V6 tube can bring to my beloved BAT 150 SE amp. When I received the Popes pair, I turned off the BAT to cool it off, and then take the stock tubes out of the amplifier. When I put the Popes a couple of hours later, I expected that if there was going to be any sound change perception, it will take a couple of hours. Was I wrong! Inmediately, I noticed the following change: tridimensionality, if there is a word to describe the sound change. Let me describe this as adding cubic volume, not just the high and length, but the depth to the plane. Is like feeling that the sound is not only wide, expansive, and high or low decibels, but now also you can feel that the sound can be seen, experienced from back to front. Sorry, but the only word I can find to describe this psychological perception is "tridimensionality". Until now, I have loved the sound of my BAT 150 SE, but this new sound quality to a very good amplifier, is cream pudding. Is this sound improvement worth around $200? That is something everyone has to decide. But, for me, a cheapo buyer of audio, who bought this amp used, after I bargained down the price down at the Audio Consultants store, this improvement in sound is definitely worth what I paid. I will not go into whether this Pope 6V6GT is the best one as I do not have much experience of listening other 6V6's nor tube amplifiers (this is my first tube amplifier). Is this tube warm or clinical? It's hard for me to deny the Pope adds cascades of flowery layers of sound, but at the same time feels very precise its timing and pacing, not feeling edgy at all. But, again, the BAT amplifiers are renowned as very precise tube amplifiers. I do not know if Upscale Audio have ever used this Pope 6V6GT at any BAT amplifiers, but in my limited experience, I suspect that this marriage of these Pope 6V6GT with BAT amps, is a sort of "marriage in heaven". Which now has sparked my itch to also tube roll its stock 6SN7's, and I already bought some cheap non-matched sextet RCA GSN7BT's and the improvement on warmness is great, but a bit excessive. Will I go for the Upscale's russian 6SN7 they recommend? Not yet, but based on my positive experiences with the Pope, that is a future possibility. Probably after the Coronavirus Pandemic...”

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Posted 4 years ago

“I used these Pope tubes to replace the Visseaux 6V6GT purchased from Upscale many years ago. I was assuming the Visseaux were getting tired and bought these. Even after much burn in I can say the Pope's sound very similar to the Visseaux, so I guess my Visseaux were not in that bad of condition. Used in a BAT VK3i. Not disapointed just wanted to share my experience.”

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Posted 5 years ago

Dick Johnson

Verified Reviewer

“These Popes are absolutely awesome in the BAT VK-3i. Thanks for the fast shipping too!!”

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Posted 5 years ago

Steve Colagrossi

Unverified Reviewer

“I bought them (8 pairs ) when Kevin had a huge stock. I’m still using the same pair in the same amp for at least 6 yrs.. No degradation of tone to my ears. I guess I have overbought, but I’m not sorry. When Kevin says “ buy now because they will go up in price “... listen to him. All tubes purchased have been a bargain in the end.”

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Posted 5 years ago

Russell Brikowski

Verified Reviewer

“best I have used. Service is excellent thanks Kevin.”

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Posted 5 years ago

“Bought the Popes to replace the Visseaux 6V6GTs in my Bat VK-3i preamp. Uncle Kev had recommended the Visseaux to me some years ago and he was absolutely right as to their sound ... great tubes. However, when I got the urge to tube roll, I again sought Uncle K's advice and sprang for the Popes. Amazing is a polite understatement for these tubes. Great midrange, sparkly top-end with lots of air around voices and instruments, and authoritative bass response. Inserting the Popes into my rig is like having a brand new preamp. Also, notifications and shipping by Upscale were prompt and trouble-free. I really trust Kevin ... in almost 20 years of dealing with him, he has never, ever steered me wrong. His recommendations typically have been spot on. So, if you're looking for a great 6V6GT, then get the Popes. You'll be very happy you did, and you can thank me later.”

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Posted 5 years ago

Pope 6V6GT No Cryo Reviews