Lapinata
New Head-Fier
TYSM for your evaluation
Evaluating the Gold Lion KT77 with JJ 12AU7 compared to Electro-Harmonix EL34 with JJ 12AU7.
Price paid for matched pair: $109.99 USD
Headphones used: Arya V2 and HE1000se
Right off the bat I noticed two things.
The Gold Lion KT77, in Ultra-Linear mode, sounds like a true solid-state Class-A amp (much better rendition than the Mullard KT88), it brought back a lot of familiarity I have with my Soloist GT with upgraded op-amps. The romantic sound of the EL34, where the notes have longer sustain and lush mid-range, is no longer present with the KT77 on board.
- Decrease in bass quantity by 2 dB
- Different tube harmonics
What we have is greatly improved:
The KT77 have an extended presence that makes enthusiastic open hi-hat and crash cymbal hits have a piercing ring. EL34 suffer from this as well but not as much as the KT77. A good remedy is equalizing down 2.5 dB at 12 kHz.
- Clarity
- Transient response
- Shorter sustain of musical notes
Clarity quality is well throughout the whole frequency range with just a tad more tube harmonics than the Mullard KT88.
The transient response is excellent, it gives the listener better discernment of notes and improved sense of note imaging within the headstage. At one point in my evaluation using the Arya V2, I thought I had the HE1000se on. I was very surprised to be hearing such good imaging depth with the Arya V2. In contrast, with the EL34, melodic notes tend to be smeared and blends in with the other layers of musical notes within the song track. And as a result, the EL34 have a two-dimensional soundstage.
Personally, I prefer this sound signature because of the transient response, but I do miss the EL34 bass and lushness. Hopefully I can bring that back by rolling different 12AU7.
Btw, glad you got the good impression of EL34. I would say it’s not really 2D, but rather put yourself into audience seat instead of the standing at maestro stand. In this audience seat the sound project at you with the reverberation beside and behind you. It might just be my imagination though
You make me want to make purchase of the KT77 now, really do.
I had it on my cart last year, but I was settled after rolled the Amperex 12au7. It’s time for me to trigger it now