Hi Brian,
Thanks for the post, just to get the answers rolling, I will give you the technical differences.
The TLP uses two sections of one tube for both channels. The GK1 uses two separate tubes; one for each channel. This gives better imaging performance because channel separation and power supply isolation is superior.
The TLP has no special tricks to give full range performance. This compromises bass performance somewhat, as in most tube circuits. The GK1 has a unique phase inverting circuit, solid state, which drives a drone, shunt regulator triode with a skewed frequency response to give superior bass control whilst conferring midrange warmth and the crystalline top end open associated with triodes. There are separate power supplies - indeed separate transformers - for each channel, and this promotes channel separation and very strong imaging performance.
Really, although the basic circuit is similar, technically these two beasts are sonically chalk and cheese.
Cheers,
Hugh
