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Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?

75.26.186.98
Posted on October 13, 2009 at 08:33:32
keithmundy20@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: February 24, 2008
 I'm fairly new to the tube game so forgive my ignorance... I am considering running the Genalex Golden Lion KT 88's in my Antique Sound Lab Hurricane amps, but in researching this tube I've noticed that they come in different "flavors" - soft, medium and hard. Which flavor is best for audio reproduction?

Thanks to all who comment.

Keith Mundy
Sacramento, CA

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 15, 2009 at 21:44:37
casouza
Audiophile

Posts: 486
Joined: March 18, 2008
 Keith, do NOT buy tubes for your amp from guitar dealers.
Guitar tubes are selected based on their ability to go into distortion at low, medium or high volumes, which is desirable for guitar amps but incompatible with hi-fi amps biased for minimum distortion.
I have made that mistake and regret it, the "matched" EL84 tubes lasted 2-3 months and could not be biased within spec anymore.

Buy your tubes in burned-in and matched sets from an AA sponsor, you will not regret it.
good luck

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 15, 2009 at 22:51:03
keithmundy20@hotmail.com
 Thank you casouza for responding. I ordered my tubes from The Tubedepot. Bill at Response Audio recommends them. Bill works with Hurricane amps. Hopefully they'll be good tubes. Thanks again for taking the time to share your wisdom.

Keith

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 18, 2009 at 12:44:29
Jim McShane
Dealer

Posts: 3409
Location: Chicago
Joined: January 13, 2003
Contributor
  Since: April 11, 2002
 I hope the reply I sent to your email was helpful; it appears it answered your questions in any case. Of course, I'd have preferred you got the tubes from me, but you got what you needed - that's a good thing.

"Soft, Medium, Hard", posted on October 17, 2009 at 22:49:09
FenderLover
Audiophile

Posts: 3313
Joined: July 31, 2007
Contributor
  Since: May 17, 2009
 In guitar parlance these terms usually means when the tubes break-up or start to distort. "Soft" meaning that the break-up, fuzz, distortion, overdrive, whatever occurs earlier in the volume range of the amp. "Hard" occurs later in volume range and tends to be a more severe "crunch." "Soft" more Bluesy with longer volume profile of distortion. "Hard" more severe and at louder volumes.

The tubes are made the same by the manufacturer. Just selected on arbitrary basis for guitar use. Most hi-fi ppl like the "hard" selected tubes, as they display less distortion through the volume range. Distorting only at very loud volumes.

Think of it this way. A lot of hi-fi ppl with EL34 amps like substituting a good 6CA7 or KT-77, as these tubes tends to remain "clean" through the volume range as compared to the standard EL34.

RE: Soft, medium & hard, posted on October 13, 2009 at 09:48:27
Neff
 That reads like a guitar amp site parts ad. Reminds me of some of the 1960s 'hippy shops' with incense & a black light burning (not that I mind those shops- all in good fun).

Personally, I would hope the tubes are consistant and sound the same.

RE: Soft, medium & hard, posted on October 13, 2009 at 10:03:25
keithmundy20@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: February 24, 2008
 Hey Neff. Yes they do use those tubes for guitar amps and that is exactly why they come in those flavors. I'm just wondering which "flavor" is best for audio?

RE: Soft, medium & hard, posted on October 16, 2009 at 07:32:26
Neff
 Again, soft, medium & hard means each tube sounds different. Errrr, NOS tubes I use for home entertainment do not sound different in same lot from same manufacture.

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 13, 2009 at 09:11:34
scrooie looie
Audiophile

Posts: 643
Joined: September 28, 2000
 My friend got his from Jim McShane. The original Shuguangs were dying regularly. Since the Gold Lions were installed they've been trouble free. Over 2 years. He has the upgraded Type 1 Hurricanes with the new bias boards.

Jim burns in his power tubes on a high voltage rig that weeds out troubled tubes. Many other sellers simply match at 400 volts on a Maximatcher. He's one of the very few tube sellers that I've used that has never let me down. Practically unheard of.

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 14, 2009 at 00:22:01
Mossback
Audiophile

Posts: 972
Location: Washington, the State
Joined: November 17, 2001
 I’ve dealt with AA sponsor Jim McShane for many years and have been very pleased with the tube quality and service he provides.
I have also bought KT66 KT77 and KT88 Gold Lion reissue tubes from him. I like them all, not cheap but a good value for your money…Dan

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 13, 2009 at 09:24:06
keithmundy20@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: February 24, 2008
 Hey Scrooie, thanks for your response. How can I reach Jim?

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 13, 2009 at 09:31:48
keithmundy20@hotmail.com
Audiophile

Posts: 29
Joined: February 24, 2008
 Scrooie - never mind I found him. Thanks for your help.

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 16, 2009 at 03:55:23
Dangerbird
Audiophile

Posts: 46
Location: hot 'laanta
Joined: December 28, 2006
 Jim is " top shelf" all the way,,buy from with confidence.

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on October 19, 2009 at 19:56:57
Theron D
Audiophile

Posts: 432
Location: Baltimore
Joined: June 21, 2004
 Agree McShane is A+!!!!

Theron

RE: Which Genalex Golden Lion KT88 to use?, posted on November 1, 2009 at 03:41:04
Animal Chin
Audiophile

Posts: 34
Location: British Columbia, Canada
Joined: April 26, 2009
 Google "Jim McShane". I'm a happy customer as well. Sold me my GL re-issues. Excellent pick on the preamp tubes. Great service.

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