Gold Lion reissue EL84 tubes arcing - Page 2

Well at least he responded. you can source them from a reputable dealer new and have them matched as they are not that expensive. Here in the States I use Jim Mcshane but I am sure you can find  good vendors to source them new. You also need to use them in amps under 15W as they will burn out quickly if you dont at least according to my vendor. I liked NOS Sylvania Blackplates better but everyone seems to like the Genelex EL84. i like there 6922 and feel it the besy current production tube.

Edited by Frank I - 3/12/13 at 5:28am

Glad this is sorted out. Frank1 is right keep to no more than 15W RMS The 6922s are a "step-up" from EL84s[special quality] as used by government etc.This side of the water NOS Mullard are held in high regard but US versions are as good if made by well known tube company And yes matching is well worth the extra few GBP. Lower distortion figures/less strain on the amp[depending on biasing]

There are adverts in Electronics/Wireless World mag /Every Day Practical Electronics mag in this country.Maplin Electronics sell valves and will change any faulty components no hassle. Been with them 30YRS no trouble although their stock of electronic components is much smaller now.Or the many professional companies  whom I used in the past will now sell to hobbyists.

Golden lion like many "golden names" from what I remember come from China. Now there is a big problem when dealing with china-they build to a price.

An example my Weller soldering station went dead[unrepairable] I looked at various dealers and a lot seemed to be selling the same type of stations with their own brand label. It wasnt until I actually checked the build quality of each of them that I found -although outwardly the same shape design etc the cheaper ones were rubbish I then spent more from a high quality industrial dealer and it has lasted 14Years and still working with spares still available.

Everything made in China has a price so watch out. Especially head-phones.

The Golden Lion tubes are made by New Sensor in Russia. They are russian tubes not Chinese. You may be mixing them uo wit the Golden dragon tubes which were made in China. The Genelex reissues if run in amps that are under 15W and sourced from reputable dealers who match them properly they are extremely reliable tubes. I have Genelex 6922 that are outstanding and very rugged tubes.  But make no mistake the Golden Lions are made by new sensor in Russia. I had the el84 Genelex and had zero issue with them in my Taboo. They are well made and most consider them the best current production new tubes made. The best vendor for these type of tubes is jMcshane@prodigy.net. he matches them and test them properly and is extremely reliable.

Duncan postwed these were chinese made which is wrong and you also said they were unreliable which is also not the case unless used in amps over 15W. I was just trying to set the thread with more correct information so people get the correct facts on Genelex tubes. The EL84 when done right by a reputable dealer and used as the dealer instruct  them to be used are nice tubes and they are current production. With old stock tubes more luck is required without owning a tube tester.  Dincan refer the tubes as made in China and being sourced from China which people may think they made in China. Just getting facts form you guys straight.

Yes, from what I know and read, the reissue Genalex Gold Lion EL84 tubes are made in Russia and not in China...

read his post China built clearly stated. Genelex originally was a British firm and New Sensor bought the name as they did Mullard and Tungsol. All their tubes are made in Russia and the owner Mike lIves in Brooklyn NY. Most people who are into tubes buy from their favorite vendors and there are some really good ones I deal with in the states. I have never bought tubes from China but there is one guy in China who sell  the shuggies and the psvane tubes that is very reputable and his name is Clark but I cant find the email for him but its on audio asylum lots of guys save money through him for Shuguang tubes.

Well, it's a fact that the Gold Lions reissues are Russian made. No argument there... Btw, I also use PSVANE tubes that are made in China in my headphone amp and they're indeed very good! 

Edited by putente - 3/14/13 at 5:26am

Thanks for "putting me right" on the source of these valves. China has over many decades manufactured tubes with brand names with "golden in it. And yes Russia can produce good quality tubes.When the West went over to BJT/MOS-FETS/ICs they scrapped a lot of tube equipment .Not so Russia they were used in many front line attack jets so that they would not be affected by a nuclear-"burst" meant to disable solid-state equipment . When one pilot defected his jet was examined by US authorities and were surprised to find many tubes inside of special design. My warning on who to buy from still applies though.