Anyone listened to the 50th Ann Shuguang KT-88

I always really like the Shuguang KT88-98 (or Penta Labs KT88SC...same tube), but I can't help thinking this black glass 50th Anniversary release is basically marketing hype.

. . . .with two you get egg roll!

Who knows? They might be very good -- the person selling them on eBay has a starting bid of $0.99, no reserve. Maybe pick some up cheap ;-)

I think they look cool but know no one who has heard them. Shuguang really ticked me off by proving their bad poor judegment in regard to audio tubes. They ceased production of the only 12AX7 they ever made that I thought worth using. Its the "9th ed." 12AX7 C. I see they reverted to thes refined A and B versions 8th ed. I guess the audio market was not their main interest. They obviously didn't get overdriven, break up or distort easily enough for guitar amps.
In addition they seemed to have quietly let slip away the previous king of the KT-88 hill by Penta labs. Always in short supply.
On the other hand the Genelex reissues are fantastic. I own an octet and was stunned that they sound as good as they do. Albeit in a very good amp.
With all due respect to others tastes the Genelex Gold Lion are a midrangy tube. In particular they are rich, full and a bit warm for a KT-88 (and I was a devout E34L fan) As a rule I don't care for the 6550/KT88/KT90 sound but these are going to be quite a challenge for Schoo to beat. Even if the Shoo look cool!

I think they look cool but know no one who has heard them. Shuguang really ticked me off by proing their bad poor judegment of audio tube style when they ceased production of the only 12AX7 they ever made that I liked. Its the 9th ed. 12AX7 C . I see them here and there but they obviously didn't get overdriven easily enough for guitar amps.
On the other hand the Genelex reissues are fantastic. I own an octet and was stunned that they sound as good as they do. Albeit in a very good amp.
With all due respect to others tastes the Genelex Gold Lion are a midrangy tube. In particular they are rich and full a bit warm for a KT-88 (and I was a devout E34L fan) As a rule I don't care for the 6550/KT88/KT90 sound but these are going to be quite a challenge for Schoo to beat. Even if the Shoo look cool!

Mechans:Yes,I too like the Gen 9 12ax7s-I bought 4 matched pairs.Sold one pair.Probably shouldn't have,but it was to a friend.
I use a quad of the GEC/MOs in my PL2 and was considering buying back-ups.Thanks for the heads-up on the GL re-issues.Sounds like they may do the trick ,when the "originals" and I part company.I do find the originals to be very expressive and suave.Tom