Tube matching question
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A key point about tube amps here. If your amp does not have individual bias settings per tube, they must be a matched pair at least. Ideally, all tubes should be matched in a channel, but pairs that share a bias setting must be closely matched. Not all matching is created equal, but that's another can of worms. |
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@tablejockey the actual lion holding the KT88 sign faces forward, the Gold Lion script lettering faces the rear. https://i.imgur.com/1yUdW2g.jpg |
"I enjoy the glow of the tubes so big bold labels kind of take away from that." It's been awhile since I bought a new Gold Lion tube for my PL HP. One thing I noticed about GL tubes, the logo faced to the rear of the amp, so no visible label. Either the labels or socket orientation is different on current stuff. You won't be replacing many worn tubes in you PL. The power/signal tubes will fail from reasons other than being overdriven. |
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@riley804 If you actually read my post I said I actually made changes to tone down the other 2 tubes so they looked more similar. I am sorry you felt I wasted your time and the other members because it didn't bother me enough after I made the changes to want to spend another $140 for cosmetic reasons. My apologies |
cause you started this thread with how it bothered you : While so far they sound awesome there is one little thing that bothers me and I know its truly cosmetic, but one of the Gold lion labels is all messed up. It wouldn’t make such a big deal but they face forward and you see these 3 beautiful looking gold lions and the one all messed up. and others told you to just buy 1 or 2 tubes and keep the others as spares......and now you decide not to do it and everything is fine now..... that is the reason for the wow..... and even though you have very little hours on these tubes......it would still be a good idea to have some spare tubes on hand just incase something does happen to one of them. |
starts with : While so far they sound awesome there is one little thing that bothers me and I know its truly cosmetic, but one of the Gold lion labels is all messed up. It wouldn't make such a big deal but they face forward and you see these 3 beautiful looking gold lions and the one all messed up. goes to : Thanks all, I am actually going to leave it be. wow..... |
Thanks all, I am actually going to leave it be. They sound great, dead quiet and I had to spend the extra right now. The more I looked at it the more I realized the two middle ones were really bright gold and the 2 outer ones were more faint. I actually prefer the more subdued look as the bright gold logo can be a little too in your face. I enjoy the glow of the tubes so big bold labels kind of take away from that. I took a soft scotch brite and very very gently rubbed over the 2 center ones to tone down the logo a bit and blend with the other 2. I am fine with it now. Here is a pic. https://i.imgur.com/1yUdW2g.jpg |
Agree with tablejockey, the tubes in your avatar have the PrimaLuna logo on them. If your amp is a PrimaLuna, it has adaptive autobias, which makes tube matching less important. Prima Luna says they don’t even have to be the same tube type, which means you could use a KT120 with your KT 88s in a pinch. If you have a Primaluna and plan to keep it for a while, order a pair of Gold Lion KT 88s and at least one of them should have a perfect logo and you’ll have a pair of backup tubes should you have any problem with your tubes. |
