Gold lions 12ax7

[vegman1973]

Cheers Zoidburg
I do love my man cave and toys
I've had the gold lions in my phono for over a week constantly on. They have settled a little but sure have a ways to go
I've ordered some Winged C Ktt88 see how they sound?

[Haselsh1]

Genalex Gold Lions with gold pins are the finest modern valves I have ever used and at the moment I am using three 12AX7's in my Croft preamp. Lovin 'em lots.

[vegman1973]

My 12ax7's have gold pins also
How long did it take for them to burn in, would you say?

[Haselsh1]

My 12ax7's have gold pins also
How long did it take for them to burn in, would you say?

I have to be honest here and say that I don't really know. I was immediately impressed with them due to their clarity and level of detail but I can see where people may refer to them as bright. When I had an Icon Audio Stereo 20 I fitted Gold Lion gold pinned pre valves to that and then followed that up with four EL84's but I have to say that the biggest improvement by a long way was not the EL84's but the 12AX7's.

When I eventually treat myself to a new all valve guitar amplifier I shall be using Gold Lions in that also as it will take 12AX7's and an EL84.

[vegman1973]

Sounds good to me
I wouldn't say I find them bright. I have very sensitive speakers and these new valves seem to giving them some lol
I find the mid range a lot more prominent and it seems to have brought the soundstage forward?
I don't dislike them but I think it's a case of getting used to them.
I have a few 12ax7's now and apart from a nos pair of Telefunkens I find the other valves very similar. As for the gold lions I've renamed them the little fire crackers
I'd like an amp that used el84's as well. My kt88's are great for rock and pop but I think the el84's are more refined for classical and such.
I keep an update on the firecrackers

[vegman1973]

Sorry el34's not 84's my mistake

[goraman]

I love the reissue Gold Lion EL84's but truly dislike the Gold Lion 12AX7 in fact they are identical to the Sovtek 12AX7LPS both in construction and sonics the top end is very bright.
They are in fact a glaring midrange tube with loads of upper treble.
They are just not as well rounded as the 12AX7 Ei long black plates I now have in my DAC, in fact the stock reissue Tung-Sol's where less forward,not as glaring and had a much better bottom end in my opinion.

[vegman1973]

I'll have to check the Tung-Sols out. I have quite a few 12ax7's now
My stereo doesn't really struggle with bottom end but can see what you mean about top end.
But I've recently bought new Dac which I run CD player through and I'm getting great results

[goraman]

The tung-sol reissues are a Rock & Roll tube, very dynamic.
The bass seems to have more slam, mids and treble are not as forward.
It's a fun tube at any party.