Thread: Choice of 6550 tube for Ref 6

Tung Sol 6550 (NOS)
GE 6550 (NOS)

May I know which is a better choice for ARC Ref 6 between these two 6550 tube?

The price of Tung Sol 6550 NOS is much higher than GE 6550 NOS, does Tung Sol 6550 NOS sound much better than GE 6550 NOS?

What are the main difference between these two 6550 tube in sound quality?

THX!

IMHO the GE's exhibit a clean neutral yet natural presence with nothing added or taken away whatever genre of recording, quite similar are the 70's production grey vented plate TungSol's

Early 60's production solid grey plate TungSol's add a touch of warmth and added texture to recordings, fine with the majority but not all recordings, the Late 50's production solid black plates take that characteristic even further and can sound fabulous with Sinatra At The Sands, Lady Sings The Blues (compilation) Dexter Gordon Ballads, Bach Cello solo 6 Suiten etc.etc

However...with other recordings they can add too much coloration and weight, verging on bloat, to sound natural, akin to adding too many spoons of maple syrup to the mix, as always YMMV IMHO etc.etc.

Thanks a lot everybody! Does it mean GE 6550 NOS sounds more modernized, more clean, better analytic . Tung Sol are more classic or old sound (1960 ~ 1970 sound). More input is welcome.

BTW, the price between these two tube has very big difference in my area:

Tung Sol 6550 NOS is about USD 285
GE 6550 NOS is around USD 158

May I know if this price is reasonable?

Hi nc42acc

Thanks! Are you talking Tung Sol 6550 Reissue product? I heard the reissue 6550 sounds very big difference with their NOS product, is it correct?

Originally Posted by MM622

Tung Sol 6550 (NOS)
GE 6550 (NOS)

May I know which is a better choice for ARC Ref 6 between these two 6550 tube?

The price of Tung Sol 6550 NOS is much higher than GE 6550 NOS, does Tung Sol 6550 NOS sound much better than GE 6550 NOS?

What are the main difference between these two 6550 tube in sound quality?

THX!

I was told by an audio equipment design engineer that as the 6550 is in the power stage it does not alter/influence the sound as the 6H30’s do - in the signal path...

I was also told one can substitute a KT88 for the 6550... for whatever it may be worth...


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Originally Posted by nc42acc

I am using the current production Tung Sol that is very reasonable. I like a more dynamic sound so this is what I am currently using. The GE is more "polite" sounding, not bad at all just reserved.

Are you quite certain that the GE valve that you tried was measuring up to full NOS spec ?
I ask as having A/B'd the current production TungSol against an 70's GE, measuring as New, my subjective considerations were polar opposite to yours!

Originally Posted by nonesup

Has anyone recently purchased 6550 NOS (Tungsol or GE) from a trusted dealer?

I have. I bought a NOS Tung Sol 6550 from the late 60’s for $375 - TubeDepot in Tennessee.

I have decided to stick with the stock 6550, so if you have interest in the one I’m mentioning please just let me know.

All the best...


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Originally Posted by nonesup

Thx, Unfortunately, they no longer have stock.
Any other place where you can buy?

Yes pls check your messages. Thanks!


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I tried both NOS 6550 70's TS and 80's GE JAN, both sounds really good but if I had to pick it would be the GE Jan.
And for last 5 days a NOS Gold Lion KT88, it sound fabulous and surprisingly the Psvane KT88 sound really good as well.
Overall I like the REF 6 with the GL most. Cheers.