Which new production 6550?

[Mars Hall]

I've received a 1982 JCM800 2203 for repair. It currently has GT 6550's, what would be the best new production replacement? Could this amp have come stock with 6550's?

[Rockbert]

It most likely came stock with 6550's if it was a USA model. I have tried new production Winged C 6550 and I can't say I'm overly happy with them. I was using these in a 4010 combo and they lasted for maybe 10 hours before getting microphonic and making odd noises. Granted that amp is hard on the tubes with the speaker so close, but I would have expected a lot more life. I also use old GE and Tung-sol 6550's (but not in this combo!) and the sound quality of those is definitely better, although the Winged C tubes don't sound bad, just a little flat by comparison.

[Freedom]

I am interested too in buying 6550s...

I had decided to go with Winged C but it seems that most stores don't have them in stock (or they don't mention if and how they burn them in)...

How about the Valve Art 6550s (they are actually Shuguangs)?

[Mars Hall]

I am interested too in buying 6550s...

I had decided to go with Winged C but it seems that most stores don't have them in stock (or they don't mention if and how they burn them in)...

How about the Valve Art 6550s (they are actually Shuguangs)?

I found this link from Watford valves helpful, it's a few years old but still valid.

http://watfordvalves.com/cgi-bin/docume ... ort_42.pdf" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[VelvetGeorge]

Winged C 6550's are (were) the best new production. I even put them in my old SVT's. But latest word is that they are out of production. Supposedly they are moving all the tooling to a new building, but who knows if it will ever be set up and start production again......

I'm not holding my breath. Bad news.

george

[Freedom]

Thanks Mars Hall and George...

Actually there are stores that still have the C's in stock but they either don't burn in/match the tubes theirselves or i don't trust their way to do it (no, 20 minutes burn in is way too sort, sorry...lol)...

Anyway, pulled the trigger and ordered a quad of Tungsol 6550's...

How about you Mars?

[Roe]

a friend designed a new 6550 amps and tried quite a few tubes. he prefers the new tung sols

[Freedom]

Yeah well, i hope the Tungsols do the trick...they should be here in about 2 weeks or so but unfortunately i won't be able to give them a try very soon (my tech's schedule is full for the next month or so and i need to do some mods as well)...

[Mars Hall]

Thanks Mars Hall and George...

Actually there are stores that still have the C's in stock but they either don't burn in/match the tubes theirselves or i don't trust their way to do it (no, 20 minutes burn in is way too sort, sorry...lol)...

Anyway, pulled the trigger and ordered a quad of Tungsol 6550's...

How about you Mars?

I tried a set of SED =C= 2nds. This is part of the desription from the seller, "Some were returned from various amplifier manufacturers because they measured outside of their preferred range. While others may have physical irregularities, scratches on the bases or were simple exchanged returns. No matter what the reason, all of these tubes have been retested by us and fully met our stringent requirements."

Unfortunately, I recieved them yesterday and one of the 4 is a dud, the heater won't even light up. One of the others has a loose base but does read a bias voltage. I'm hoping the seller can make this right by overnighting me replacements, I have a customer that needs his amp this weekend.

[Mars Hall]

They are overnighting me the replacement tubes. Tube Depot Rocks!

[HipKitty]

We've had really good results with the Tung Sol so far. Other than that, we've found the EH 6550's to be popular with some clients and are pretty dynamic in terms of tone and response. I was surprised by the EH's...when we started getting requests to use them, I anticipated early failure issues, but this really hasn't been the case.