Golden Gate 2 Reactions

[christoph]

Thank you very much for your extended answer.
Do you still have those KR 242 tubes?
I'm really curious how they work in your new GG2.
Did the 242 work for you in your GG1 or did you prefer other tubes back then?
In my GG1 I always come back to the KR 5U4G Anniversary rectifier and the 242.
This combo doesn't work in all systems, but when it works it is just so much better than the other tubes I tried

 

[shakti]

I will get the 242 tubes within the next 2 weeks again, I just need to collect them.

 

[christoph]

That is great.
Please let us know how they work.
Enjoy and have a great time with your new GG2

 

[bonzo75]

You should try the 845 Lukasz was raving about.

 

[christoph]

I tried the T100 and preferred the 242 by a big margin

 

[shakti]

Today I had the chance to pick up the KR 242 (well burnt in pair) and to give the tubes a try in my set up.

Compared to my current favorite , the Fullmusic 300b/se , the KR 242 is obviously louder

Which is no problem for my Koda K10, as my GG II has the Volume option.

Interestingly , and having done some tube comparison with KR242 on GG1, the difference to the FM 300b/se is different to what I have expected.

It is not! the punch and the dynamic of the KR 242 , which makes the difference, both tubes are (to my surprise) very similar in this regard.

The KR 242 has a rock solid staging of single instruments and voices in the room.
The room is getting baggers the distance between the instruments is increasing, while the individual instrument stays in his original dimension.

The KR 242 increases the 3D effect of the recording.

Both tubes are very similar in terms of the natural blend of wooden instruments.

If I would have the free choice, the KR 242 would be my current favorite tube on GG II (as on GG I) , but this pair will go back to my friends home.

As the Fullmusic 300b/se is in many aerias very close, I will continue to listen to the 300b/se and I will look forward to the next set of tubes to be compared.

 

[wisnon]

Shakti

You will love the RK Kron 300b.

 

[heihei]

I've just gone back and re-tested my tube preferences with the GG now it's in II-spec. No change in preferences, namely 242 & 5U4G, vs PX4 & 274B (all KR). More drive, rhythm, better soundstaging etc.

Any other recommendations to try?

 

[wisnon]

5r4gy double Mica and RK 300b.

 

[shakti]

The RK KR 300b are just ordered, looking forward

 

[wisnon]

Kudos Shakti...you will love them.

 

[abeidrov]

My Lampi GG2 has arrived. Dual mono R2R PCM / DSD512. Output tubes are KR 300B RK and KR 242. Recti - KR 5U4G RK.
Some pictures:

 

[Audiophile Bill]

I really like the new tube voltage switch at the back.

 

[wisnon]

My Lampi GG2 has arrived. Dual mono R2R PCM / DSD512. Output tubes are KR 300B RK and KR 242. Recti - KR 5U4G RK.
Some pictures:

Beautiful.
Feedback on sonics when you can please.

 

[BruceD]

I really like the new tube voltage switch at the back.

Cute!--gotta be a first--does one have to re Bias/etc for a Tube change?

Interesting that the venerable 300B is one to the fore in Hi-End playback--when originally it was conceived to only transfer mono voice /speech across the Atlantic

Back on Topic

BruceD

 

[wisnon]

Cute!--gotta be a first--does one have to re Bias/etc for a Tube change?

Interesting that the venerable 300B is one to the fore in Hi-End playback--when originally it was conceived to only transfer mono voice /speech across the Atlantic

Back on Topic

BruceD

A tube switch is not new...just a 5 point switch. Before it was just high and low. No need to bias as the circuit auto-balances.

 

[abeidrov]

Beautiful.
Feedback on sonics when you can please.

After just one hour of listening to KR 242, all I can is WOW, this is a very special kind of tube on a GG
It is so much more dynamic, than anything, I’ve heard before. It is like someone is standing behind the speakers and giving the music an extra push. Unbelievable!

 

[christoph]

Congrats on your new GG2.
I think I would have ordered it in the exact same config as you did.
Have you already compared the RK KR 300b to the KR 242 (my favorite output tube by quite a margin)?
Are all your tubes brand new, i.e. no break-in so far?

 

[bonzo75]

After just one hour of listening to KR 242, all I can is WOW, this is a very special kind of tube on a GG
It is so much more dynamic, than anything, I’ve heard before. It is like someone is standing behind the speakers and giving the music an extra push. Unbelievable!

If the 242 works in your system, nothing will come remotely close. Feel free to invite someone with 100k dacs at home. To actually see what I mean by "if it works", try the following. Swap with another tube. Is there a big clear win to the 242? If yes, take it to a friend's place. It might not work.

 

[Zero000]

Christoph, or anyone, what do you think makes the 242 better than the RK 300B i.e. how would you describe the difference?