Gold Lion KT88 & MC275/MC2301

[KahunaCanuck]

I've had the Lions in the "porch" as well as the Phono sections of my C500 now for a week or so, really like the sound, much more open and airy, the high end in general sounds much better than the stock tubes. Overall a huge improvement!

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck

I've had the Lions in the "porch" as well as the Phono sections of my C500 now for a week or so, really like the sound, much more open and airy, the high end in general sounds much better than the stock tubes. Overall a huge improvement!

Mike.......This is good news. I may have to go ahead and spring for a set. Did you go straight from the stock McIntosh 12AX7 tubes to the Gold Lion tubes, or have you been listening to other tubes?

I have had the Tung-Sol gold pin 12AX7 tubes installed in my C1000T for the past six months or so, but two nights ago I decided to put my Telefunken tubes back on the porch. Having the Telefunken tubes in the preamp has served to remind me once again just how good the Tung-Sol gold pins sound. The Teles are so silky smooth top to bottom, solid punch on dynamics, and ultra quiet. I was expecting to hear a bit more of a difference from the Tung-Sol tubes, but not so. Perhaps the Teles are a tad more articulate in the upper midrange, but the Tung-Sol gold pins are definitely in the ballpark with the Telefunken's. When you consider a set of four Tung-Sol gold pin 12AX7's run $100, and good Telefunken's run about that price per tube, the Tung-Sol gold pins are an excellent performer, and a truly amazing value.

[m.tonetti]

I installed in my C2300 (Line sections):
- Raytheon JRP-12AX7 NOS Black Plate;
- Raytheon 12AX7WA NOS Grey Plate;
- Sylvania 12AX7 NOS Black Plate;
- Sylvania 12AX7WA NOS Grey Plate;
- Tesla E83CC NOS;
- Tung Sol ECC803S Gold Pin.
I prefer the Raytheon JRP-12AX7 NOS Black Plate.

[blacsno]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Now -- should have a few early next week.

Bob

[IMG]http://www.newsensor.com/images/product_1357
/12AT7%20GENALEX%202.jpg[/IMG]

If I want to try a set for my C2300. Which give the biggest bang for the buck?
(2) in-line or (2) MM phono stage or all? I'm currently using tele's (6).

Ken

[vintage_tube]

Originally Posted by blacsno

If I want to try a set for my C2300. Which give the biggest bang for the buck? (2) in-line or (2) MM phono stage or all? I'm currently using tele's (6).

Ken

Depends on what source you use the most I guess. IMO, doesn't matter per se as the reward with a better tube will have benefits in either the line or phono side. For the C2300, you only need the 4 -- if not using the MC slots, just put the originals back in there - I wouldn't waste Telefunkens in those unused slots.

Only reason I put them in the MC side on the C500T was the phono tubes can be changed in seconds verses taking time not to scratch up/smear w/fingerprints the polished "front porch" reflector & it's a bit tight in that area too.

Bob

[KahunaCanuck]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Mike.......This is good news. I may have to go ahead and spring for a set. Did you go straight from the stock McIntosh 12AX7 tubes to the Gold Lion tubes, or have you been listening to other tubes?

I have had the Tung-Sol gold pin 12AX7 tubes installed in my C1000T for the past six months or so, but two nights ago I decided to put my Telefunken tubes back on the porch. Having the Telefunken tubes in the preamp has served to remind me once again just how good the Tung-Sol gold pins sound. The Teles are so silky smooth top to bottom, solid punch on dynamics, and ultra quiet. I was expecting to hear a bit more of a difference from the Tung-Sol tubes, but not so. Perhaps the Teles are a tad more articulate in the upper midrange, but the Tung-Sol gold pins are definitely in the ballpark with the Telefunken's. When you consider a set of four Tung-Sol gold pin 12AX7's run $100, and good Telefunken's run about that price per tube, the Tung-Sol gold pins are an excellent performer, and a truly amazing value.

Dan,

I had replaced the 1 phono section with some Electro Harminoux as a test, and liked it a lot better than the stocks, but once i got the Lions in, replaced all of them and let them burn in a little, I preferred the lions sound.

Lions on the Porch:


Cheers!

Mike

[blacsno]

Originally Posted by vintage_tube

Depends on what source you use the most I guess. IMO, doesn't matter per se as the reward with a better tube will have benefits in either the line or phono side. For the C2300, you only need the 4 -- if not using the MC slots, just put the originals back in there - I wouldn't waste Telefunkens in those unused slots.

Only reason I put them in the MC side on the C500T was the phono tubes can be changed in seconds verses taking time not to scratch up/smear w/fingerprints the polished "front porch" reflector & it's a bit tight in that area too.

Bob

Thank you! I've order a match pair for in-line on my C2300.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by blacsno

Thank you! I've order a match pair for in-line on my C2300.

Ken.......I see you have the Linn LP-12. Just a suggestion, but you might as well order two pair of 12AX7 tubes, and take care of the noisy stock tubes in the phone stage at the same time.

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck

Dan,

I had replaced the 1 phono section with some Electro Harminoux as a test, and liked it a lot better than the stocks, but once i got the Lions in, replaced all of them and let them burn in a little, I preferred the lions sound.

Lions on the Porch:

Mike.......Those Gold Lion 12AX7's look good on the porch.

[blacsno]

Originally Posted by jdandy

Ken.......I see you have the Linn LP-12. Just a suggestion, but you might as well order two pair of 12AX7 tubes, and take care of the noisy stock tubes in the phone stage at the same time.

Thanks.... I've already dumped the stock tubes long ago. I've been using telefukens for a couple years. I wanna try a little tube rollin'! Then listen without inhaling.......

Ken