Here's the story- after building my ST-120 amp several years back, I started tube rolling. I tried Sovtec KT88's, 6550's, and a quad of Gold Lion Kt88's. I wasn't impressed with the GL's, and then the Tung-Sol KT 120's came on the market. I purchased them and was pleased with the sound.
After at least 5 years without tube rolling, I decided to put the GL's back in to make sure they still worked before I put them up for sale. Lo and Behold, I am actually liking the way they sound, even more that the KT-120's. I don't know what it is that made me not like them in the first place. They are a lot smoother than the KT 120's. Maybe warmer, not so analytical, so to speak.
I think that ageing them in my basement for several years made them better, you know, like a good wine. Now I'm gonna have to start tube rolling all over again to see if the other tubes sound better!
After at least 5 years without tube rolling, I decided to put the GL's back in to make sure they still worked before I put them up for sale. Lo and Behold, I am actually liking the way they sound, even more that the KT-120's. I don't know what it is that made me not like them in the first place. They are a lot smoother than the KT 120's. Maybe warmer, not so analytical, so to speak.
I think that ageing them in my basement for several years made them better, you know, like a good wine. Now I'm gonna have to start tube rolling all over again to see if the other tubes sound better!
