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Best 6550 regardless of price

I searched for this one and found only under $50 per tube. I was wondering what is the best 6550 not KT88. However the thread mentions KT-100s. Can any tell me about these and where you can get them. I have owned KT-90s so I am very familiar with those no need to discuss that. In addition If there is an outstanding non SS sounding 6550 where do you find that.
mechans
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
I heard the ones to stay away from are the 'generic' Softech(s) relabeled as Svetlana by the importer.
piezo
302 posts
 
the new Tung Sols aint the same animal as the old by everything i've heard about them. I just retubed with a matched set of winged C 6550s from upscale audio (and most of the matching was good to the second decimal point and only out by about 1.5 on the bias number at the worst out of 12 tubes)and the effect was killer. admittedly i swapped the driver tube (nos mullard at7) and inverter at the same time.
nsgarch's avatar
nsgarch
2,517 posts
 
Guidocorona, I think you mean "Sovtek" and you are right!
The Svetlanas to get are the ones made in St. Petersburg, and are generally identified as such by the retailer.
guidocorona
4,114 posts
 
Thank you Nsgarch, my bad!
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