I bought them too and am very impressed. I would say that they might be the best new production EL84. However, the NOS Mullard was always my favorite and I don't think the Gold Lions are quite as good in all ways. The GL's seem a bit too tight in the bass but that may be the only downside. Perhaps the Mullard is a bit too loose down there and I just prefer it. I'm also comparing a pretty worn set of Mullards to a fairly new set of Lions so this is not exactly a scientific result. With the cost in mind, it is a no brainer... the Gold Lion is a safe bet. I never would have said this about any of the other modern EL84's I've tried. I was never completely happy with any of them. There is a reason I spent a ton of money collecting old Mullards and "D" getter Amperex Bugle Boys. But, no longer, I am going to get at least one more set of the Gold Lions for now.
