SED 6550C vs. Tung-Sol 6550

[ach91]

Hello,

I have a Marshall JVM410H that I have basically made into a #36-esque amp. It is similar with a few other changes to it but generally speaking it is like the S.I.R. # 36 or the AFD100 on AFD mode. Anyways I have Tung-Sol 6550s in it right now and I like the tone they provide but I am just curious about the SED 6550C. I'm just wondering if anyone here has any experience with both tubes and could maybe give me opinions on how the two differ in sound. If you only have experience with one of the two listed tubes then feel free to provide some opinions on them as well.

I'm happy with the Tung-Sol 6550s but I was just thinking I would like a fuller bottom end while still having good mids and highs that aren't piercing. I would be fine continuing with using the Tung-Sol 6550 but if I could get a beefier bottom end from the power section I would be a little happier. I'm not into the idea of using KT88s or most other brands as I am happy with the Tung-Sol and SED brands as I have had very good reliability with both brands and really like 6550 valves.

Thanks,

[axeman]

The Tung-Sol are not true 6550, they are 6L6.

[ach91]

I'm pretty sure that isnt the case. I'm no expert but for the months and months that I read Tung-Sol 6550 RI reviews before I decided to go with 6550s I did not read anywhere that it is a 6L6. If they were a 6L6 I wouldnt have to change the bias resistors to a larger value so that I could be able to bias the 6550s in my JVM. Prior to changing resistors I could not get my amp to bias low enough as the 6550s were drawing way too much current for me to do so. My DSL that I use 6L6s in biases just fine without having to mess with bias resistors. Just basing off of the different bias characteristics I would say that the Tung-Sol 6550 is not a 6L6.

[axeman]

Your rite, I'm thinking Tung-Sol Kt66 =6L6.

[ezs]

All I know is I Hate my Tungsol RI 6550's. I bought 2 quads and they are thin sounding compared to anything else. I liked the Sovteks much better, SED would be better yet imo. They are not dependable either. After a few months 2 of 8 tubes developed vaccum leaks and turned white.

[DaveMcLain]

I have not found anywhere on the net where someone has actually done some serious testing of all the New Sensor "reissue", Sovtek or EH tubes. With power tubes my personal experience with there stuff has been, I don't care for their EH EL34 but the KT88 and 6CA7 are good sounding in the circuits I've used. I also liked the EH 6V6 in some amps and I've used the 6550 in a few '80's Marshalls with good results. I feel that the New Sensor Genelex KT-66 is also very good and at least as good or better than the Saratov KT66 that Groove Tubes used to sell and superior to the Valve Art.

I would like to know how the KT88's and 6550's from each of the New Sensor lines compare to one another are they all the same tubes with different labels or are they actually different tubes?

[axeman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06mlN-F2r1g" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false; Check out the rest of this persons video's

[ach91]

Well I ended up buying the SED 6550s. I've had them in my amp since Tuesday. I have cranked them a few times and they sound a little bigger and the bottom end is very tight. I thought the Tung-Sols were tight but the SEDs are very tight. All in all the amp does sound a little beefier and the bottom end is tighter. I liked the SEDs and I imagine they will break in nicely after a few months.