Tubes Asylum

Who is who in the 6550/KT88 world?? New production

80.202.44.212

Balle Clorin

I mean with all the re-issueing I can not keep track of who is who anymore

6550, is Sovtek=Electo-harmonic=Tung-Sol= same russian factory?
KT88, is Sovtek=Gold Lion==Electoharmonics= ???
And could even 6550 be a KT88??

and what about the Chinese?

I wish someone could tell what tubes are actually different, and wich are the same with only different name..??

Anyone want to start?? pleeeease...

I want to replace my aged Tung-Sol reissue 6550s..

Best regards
Balle

Follow Ups:

RE: Who is who in the 6550/KT88 world?? New production - Eli Duttman 19:49:24 06/23/08 (1)
Balle,

Including the "Reissue" TS you are already familiar with, the Saratov, Russia, plant makes 3 good big "beamies". The flagship is the "reissue" GEC KT88, which costs more, but, by all accounts, is worth the money. The 3rd good Saratov made big beam tetrode is the EH KT88, which is not the same as the GEC "reissue" and costs less.

The SED (=C=) 6550C produced at St. Petersburg, Russia, is also quite decent. The 6550C is a favorite among current commercial amp builders.

Chinese KT88s used to be a good value. Unfortunately, the product has been cheapened and QC is in the toilet. ;> ( Hopefully, the intense competetion from Russia will wake Shuguang up.

Eli D.
- Are there any old Russian or E Europe Treasures from the 50s-60s in 6550s? - Frihed89 22:29:39 06/23/08 (0)
  I have never found any, but I don't know the history.
  Greetings from the sunny Br�nsh�j riveria on the banks of the lovely Utterslev Mose
RE: Who is who in the 6550/KT88 world?? New production - Vic Trola 15:53:11 06/23/08 (0)
Shuguang is a state run (not private) company in China. Over all, the tubes worth considering for the $$ are:

KT88-98
6550-98
300BC (white label)
2A3C (white Label)

All the other ones we heard (including all 12XX and 6922 derivatives) are either too pricey for the performance or canary do-do.
All the best,
Vic

P.S. I am on staff at Pacific Valve. Take my comments for what they worth

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