I did try a quad of EAT Diamonds in my McIntosh MC275. Unfortunately, they were either heavily (or incorrectly) used. They tested weak and sounded no better than Pentas, Electro Harmonix, re-issue Gold Lions, etc. So, my NOS Genalex Gold Lions were (and are) the best tubes I've heard, (almost -- but I'll get to that shortly.)
A friend who tried the used EAT's (mentioned above) with me finally bought a quad of new EAT's (which I didn't hear) but he says they're even better than his NOS Genalex Gold Lions (but I haven't heard HIS Gold Lions, only mine, which are terrific!)
OK. I'm currently auditioning a premium Grade-A matched quad of the new Shuguang black bottle Treasure Series KT88-Z, which I obtained directly from a Chinese seller (not on eBay) for $360 including PayPal and 3-day DHL airfreight! They take a long time (300 hours) to burn-in, but so far are well on their way to out-classing my NOS Gold Lions ;--) Does that mean they'd be as good/better as/than the EAT's? I can't answer that. However, for ambient sparkle, incredibly wide and defined soundstage, and delicious lower midrange and tight bass, they probably will replace my NOS Gold Lions, and that's saying a lot!! And at over four times the price of these new Shuggies, the EAT's would have to have unimaginably superior performance to represent any real value.
And to avoid flames, I have to state that results can vary depending on the tube+amplifier combination (but I haven't yet heard any disappointing reports about these new KT88-Z's).
A friend who tried the used EAT's (mentioned above) with me finally bought a quad of new EAT's (which I didn't hear) but he says they're even better than his NOS Genalex Gold Lions (but I haven't heard HIS Gold Lions, only mine, which are terrific!)
OK. I'm currently auditioning a premium Grade-A matched quad of the new Shuguang black bottle Treasure Series KT88-Z, which I obtained directly from a Chinese seller (not on eBay) for $360 including PayPal and 3-day DHL airfreight! They take a long time (300 hours) to burn-in, but so far are well on their way to out-classing my NOS Gold Lions ;--) Does that mean they'd be as good/better as/than the EAT's? I can't answer that. However, for ambient sparkle, incredibly wide and defined soundstage, and delicious lower midrange and tight bass, they probably will replace my NOS Gold Lions, and that's saying a lot!! And at over four times the price of these new Shuggies, the EAT's would have to have unimaginably superior performance to represent any real value.
And to avoid flames, I have to state that results can vary depending on the tube+amplifier combination (but I haven't yet heard any disappointing reports about these new KT88-Z's).