Testimonials
GLOWMASTER KT88 true balanced tube amplifier
“Music has always had a deep emotional connection for me and I guess that has driven my quest to improve the sound I hear from my system. As a listener I can appreciate different aspects of sound; bass, detail, dynamics, soundstage etc, but more than anything else I want it to touch me to have that certain "x" factor. You see for me good hi-fi is something I want to come back to day after day, to simply enjoy the music and have the feeling of my hairs standing on edge. The SAS GlowMaster KT 88 has the ability to seduce and also rock you to your core. First of all it helps to draw you into the music and when the music requires it unleashes all of its full splendour. For instance I am gearing harmonics I never knew existed, bass notes that lay hidden in the murk before and piano notes that have depth and allow you to hear around the edges of the note. I suspect it's not the balanced circuit what makes this amp so special but the hand wound transformers. What this amp does is it allows you to hear the music in its full glory with lots of detail a huge soundstage and great dynamics to boot, without this ever being tiring. I would also like to say a big thank you to Gary he has gone out his way to help, answering my nervous questions helping putting me on the track to getting the best out of my system and advising me when my naivety thought I had problems with the amp.” JC - N London
“Considering its broad spread of ability and its unique dramatic sound, the GlowMaster KT88 is quite a package – especially at the price. What ever way you look at it, as it stands, or on the basis of an all balanced system – this is a fine amplifier. It had all of the punch and power of solid state – with the superb naturalness of valves. A compelling combination if ever there was one.”
Noel Keywood - Hi Fi World February 2008
“The dynamic, extended sound that is a trademark of all SAC products is very evident in the GlowMaster KT88. We have spent the last few weeks listening to this gigantic amp and have come away very, very impressed. First is the lack of any hum (which is typical to every tube amp I have ever heard. You can put your ear right up to the GlowMaster powered speaker and hear nothing but silence. This results in black, black background with the lowest noise floor I have personally experienced. I cannot emphasise enough what a difference this makes. Small details jump out at you like never before. What sets SAC apart is the attention to detail, such as testing all tubes for installation into that particular amp. All tube sockets are numbered for their corresponding tube. All resistors are hand measured to create a balance between channels. This attention to detail results in imaging which is second to none. A gigantic soundstage with great inner detail and dynamic transient attack are evident in this powerful amp. It is apparent many hours were spent tweaking the final sound. Next we notice a very deep rich bass. The bass was very well controlled and not sloppy in any area. This is a product of the hand would transformers. Every transformer in the SAC audio line is specifically made for each amp. No "off the shelf" or standard brand of transformer will do. Constant testing and refinement results in superior transformer performance offering both extended lows and highs. You will hear the difference. Another detail of this high performance is the ability to easily keep it in tune. Biasing tubes if not done properly can really affect the performance of any amp. The best tube amp in the world will not sound correct if the tube currents are not set correctly. The SAC GlowMaster KT88 features a readout directly onto the front panel to insure top performance. You can easily adjust the bias with a small screwdriver as you watch the readout. So simple anyone can do it. Finally we want to mention that this is a true balanced amplifier. Few amps in this price range offer both XLR and RCA connections. This provides the user with the best option for their needs.” WF - Australia
“In a word, I am delighted with this unit and of course will be keeping it. It's qualities were well identified in the Noel Keywood's Hi Fi World article. I am pleased that said qualities have all been replicated at home. These include a superb three dimension sound stage, good imaging, presence and timbre (perhaps a little warm compared to what I am used to), and all underpinned by a full but controlled bass.
I believe that the Glowmaster KT88 represents very good value for money.
I attended the Heathrow Hi Fi Show last weekend with a view to accessing how the sound of my system compares to the systems being demonstrated. I came away contented that in most respects it matched or beat all-comers with the exception of the very top-end demonstration rooms where each component cost more than my entire system.”
RC - N London
“When the Silk transformer based TVC is combined with the Glowmaster the results are simply fabulous. I reckon there's now about 75hrs on the TVC and maybe 200hrs on the Glowmaster KT88, and things are still improving. The resolution and detail are all there as I have found with solid state kit, but with FAR more realism, musicality, dynamics and notably terrific bass. It's now actually getting rather hard to imagine a better all round sound - I can only guess how good the GM70 sounds, maybe the next upgrade in a while…! It's costing me a fortune in new cd's though, which is an indicator to the effect of the equipment. Hearing the 'music' as opposed to the 'sound' is liberating. Just my halfpenny's worth, but it might be a good idea to market the KT88 and TVC as a package, such is the wonderful synergy. In my opinion the two are extremely well matched (providing the source has enough oomph).” JM - Nottingham
“Hi Gary,
Just thought I'd drop you a line just to say how much I'm enjoying listening to my new amp.
It's settled into the system very nicely. Erica said to me the other day that I must like the amp because I've used it so much since I got it. Thank you for your excellent customer service during purchase and installation. It was much appreciated. Everyone who's heard the amp is most impressed. Hopefully some of them will see fit to buy one of their own!
Kind regards
ML - Matlock”
“I am currently using a Parasound solid state amp with my loudspeakers but I must say that the Glowmaster KT88 gives them a totally different and very listen-able sound. I do not normally like tube amps because they sound woolly, and don't control the bass effectively. I have to say that the Glowmaster KT88 is exceptional, and is by a large margin the best tube amp I have ever heard. It has a warm sound, and controls the bass like no other.” RS - Cambridge REVOLVER REPLAY TURNTABLE "This is a
really sweet and musical sounding turntable. The bass is phenomenal and not
many turntable that I ve heard can better them in the bass department. To me
this is a lovely piece of musical instrument." Stevie