Gold Lion KT66 Review

[jab]

I replaced the stock tubes in my 2266 with Genelex Gold Lions. I recommend them highly. I read a review of the Gold Lion's and someone testing KT66 tubes likened it to having a loudness switch on your amp, similar to a stereo. I think that's a pretty good analogy. It seems everything got boosted in a subtle pleasing way, better lows, smoother sounding, and it seems overall more gain. Perhaps not as aggressive sounding but overall a little "bigger" sounding. I found myself having to play with detail down a notch from the stock tubes as it opens up much sooner. By the same token, as for cleaning up with the guitar volume it's still the same. Although more of everything is on tap I was still able to tailor the tone from clean to dirty as usual. I had been having a little trouble lately getting a great full tone at reasonable volume so that's what got me looking for tubes, and these definitely help. I have my stock tubes as spares now.

[surfnorthwest]

I Have not tried those yet myself but all the reviews here have been positive. I am in the camp of if it's not broke don't fix it and currently my quad of Valve Arts are doing great. Good to know though that the market has a good quality KT-66 for purchase.

[TubeStack]

I had my new 2466 retubed a couple of weeks ago. One of the stock KT66s had an internal part that had come loose and was bouncing around inside.

The amp tech put in Genalex Gold Lions - I had asked for Shuguangs but he said that Marshall warranty repairs in Canada use the Gold Lions as they're easier to get. (Whether that's true or not, who knows.)

But, I gotta say, I f*cking LOVE these Gold Lions. They sound absolutely fantastic.

As far as comparing them to the stock Shuguangs, I can't really do so accurately, as there was a 3-week gap between me bringing the amp in and then getting it back. That considered, I don't hear a huge difference between the two and if anything, the Gold Lions might actually sound better. They're just killing me, I love 'em.

[slowpokerhino]

I liked them so much in my 2466 that I now run them in my Fender Super Reverb.

[TubeStack]

I liked them so much in my 2466 that I now run them in my Fender Super Reverb.

Nice. I think they're great tubes, so far.

After two bad sets of Shuguangs in a row (in two brand new 2466s), I'm happy these Gold Lions seem to be working out. They sound amazing and look great, too.

[KH Guitar Freak]

^Funny, cause if I'm not mistakened, don't them Gold Lions cost a lot more than the Shuguangs???

[slowpokerhino]

^Funny, cause if I'm not mistakened, don't them Gold Lions cost a lot more than the Shuguangs???

...and worth every penny.