New valves for a KAT 6550

[LSfarzo]

Hi all,
after 3 years of quite everday working it think that the time has come for me to replace the 655o quartet of my power amp: the KAT 6550.

I have some questions about the choice to make for that substitution.
1) I guess if it would be good to use a KT88 quartet. I heard around that they sound quite good.. maybe better than the 6550. Is it true?
2) If I buy a quartet of 6550 which is the best brand to buy, in your experience?
3) If the answer to my first question is "but the KT88" so which is the brand to buy?
4) I am in london in those days for holidays so I guess if a shop exists where I could buy the quartet withiout having to spend the expedition fee (I'm Italian..). Some suggestions?


Best regards,
Luca

[Greg.]

Hi Luca,

I can't advise specifically on the choice of valve but certainly I suggest you don't buy in the UK. You'll get a better deal from a Hong-Kong dealer or Canada (Parts Connections) and probably many other places.

Best wishes,

Greg

[Tony Moore]

Hi Luca,

You don't mention what your current set of 6550's are.

I have found that the new production Tung Sol 6550 are very nice sounding. I don't know if anyone else can comment on these further but I feel that they certainly have much better bass control and a more rounded sound than the Svets.

I've not tried Kt88's though.

Best wishes,
Tony

[Mike G]

Hi Luca,

Like Tony I also use the new Tung Sol 6550's and have been very pleased with the sound. - Got mine form the seller Chinaarts on Ebay, he sometimes sells matched quad's of these valves - for about £65.

Mike

[Gerry]

Luca

I too have the Tung-Sol re-issues, not in a WAD amp though. Excellent sound. I paid about £160 for 8 matched in the UK.
http://www.tubesonline.com/index.asp...&productid=195

Price was very competivite...remember VAT and import duty could be added!

Regards

[Yellow]

Hi

Sorry to jump in on this thread from a few months back, but there's no harm in adding a few words.
I too have the TungSol 6550 (new version) and for me, in my KaT6550, they are the best valves I have.
However, I also have so Electro Harmonix KT88 valves, which work very well. They have a slightly bigger, deeper sound, but with a clear mid and smooth top. They are very nice, and I can recommend them.
I also have a quad of Valve Arts 6550. These valves are brighter and cleaner overall. They work well, and you can pick them up quite cheaply.

I personally, would go for the Tung Sol. The EH KT88 are a very close second (not much in it).

Neil.

[Gerry]

Neil

Interesting....always good to have views on different valves. I need 8 of them at a time, so expensive job replacing them and I not keen on taking such expensive risks!

Anyway good to see you back....been a while!

Regards

[RobHolt]

The KIT6550 was originally supplied with Svet winged 6550s.
These sound great and are robust and reliable.

Svet KT88s also work very well in the amp.

[Toppsy]

Not wishing to steal this posting but has anyone tried the Valve Art Copper Plate 6550A valves and if so how do they rate?

They are $40 matched pair from Diyhifisupply.

Colin