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Tubes for my SVT?!

FletcherML

FletcherML

Jul 13, 2010
176
3
Idaho Falls, ID
myspace.com
#1
Hey friends, I have an svt and my tubes finally pooped out. My local shop guy says I should get ruby tubes to repkace with, I've heard a lit of good about the winged c's and rubys. Anyone know which would be a more fitting buy for a dude who likes a very bright clangy tone? And where should I buy? I feel confident in putting the tubes in muself as long as i can get a matched sextet.
Thanks in advance boys!
 
#4
ElectroHarmonix has a great line of tubes that I've been using for other applications, including their big-bottle 6CA7's for my Marshall guitar amp. This variant has essentially 6550 plates with EL34 grids. They are clean until you want to make them go over the edge, and when they do they're not harsh. No, they're not 6550's, which you need for your SVT due to the really high bias current (even though the pins are the same, you can't swap power tubes like you can with certain preamp tubes due to the bias voltage requirement differences from tube to tube). But they bear a consideration due to the high quality and low noise of the build.
 
#7
I like Winged C 6550s the best. If you go Ruby, you're getting another brand of tube that has been tested and matched. When I got my SVT it came to me with Ruby labeled winged C's, so I'd say just skip the middle man and get your own set.

Winged C's went up in price recently though, so they may put a good dent in your wallet, though they'll sound great.

$325 here: http://thetubestore.com/6550c.html
$350 here: www.fliptops.net
or $306 here: Invalid Link Removed

JJ KT88s get good reviews as well.

$238 for KT88s or $217 for 6550s here: Invalid Link Removed

I'd link to a few more places, but really AES tends to have the best prices and great customer service IMO.
 
#11
My 1999 SVT (AV) still has the original Svetlanas in it, and they are still going strong. Those tubes are currently called "Winged C" (the ones now called Svetlana are different tubes). I think they sound good, and if you want some seriously durable tubes, I can second some of the other guys's recommendations. I work them pretty hard.

My next set, if these ever croak, will be the new Tung-Sol 6550s though. I've heard nothing but great stuff about them - they sound super, last long, etc.

I get my tubes from Lord Valve in Denver. 303-778-1156. He's a bit of a character (see the thread on amp techs about irascible tech dudes in general) but he burns in and tests tubes like they're actually going to be used in musical instrument amps. Call your order in, and just don't bring up politics ;-)

I think his current price for a sextet is around $230-$240, but you'll get good ones.

I also highly recommend the Tung-Sol 12ax7 for the preamp, just in case you're needing them soon. They're the best I've heard since the vaunted, long-discontinued Ruby Silver Specials of yore (and I only have three new Rubys left). The Tung-Sols sound delicious.
 
#12
JimmyM said:
ruby puts out winged c's? i thought they were made by svetlana.
Click to expand...

A= Neither.


Ruby's I've seen over the years were/are Chinese.

The Svetlana name in the US is now owned by New Sensor. Has been for quite a few years now. These are made at the same factory as Sovtek and E-H tubes.

Winged C are made in the former "Svetlana" factory in St. Pete.


I'd be wary of any power tubes from JJ these days. A lot of failures. If you go with JJ make sure you fully understand your supplier's/retailer's return policy, no matter who it is.
 
#13
Dave M said:
I'd be wary of any power tubes from JJ these days. A lot of failures. If you go with JJ make sure you fully understand your supplier's/retailer's return policy, no matter who it is.
Click to expand...

That's interesting.

I was talking to Joe Morgan today (morganamps.com) and he says he always ships with JJs, not becasue they are the be-all-and-end-all sonically, but because they have had the best track record for him and are the most durable in shipping. He says most untested tubes have a 30-35% failure rate after shipping, and JJs fail the least for him...

That said... I had a set of JJ power tubes go bad in shipping recently. Curse you FedEx.
 
#15
i've never been a fan of chinese tubes (rubys included), but my current favorite 6550A replacement is valve art's KT100 (aka Shuguang). i like them as much as my NOS GE 6550A's, and their build quality/reliability is exceptional. to me, winged C's are okay, but i've had quite a few failures with them, both when they were called svetlana's and the new winged C's.

i've also tried the genelex Gold Lion RI's, and while they were very good, i like the KT100's better.
 
#16
johnk_10 said:
i've never been a fan of chinese tubes (rubys included), but my current favorite 6550A replacement is valve art's KT100 (aka Shuguang). i like them as much as my NOS GE 6550A's, and their build quality/reliability is exceptional. to me, winged C's are okay, but i've had quite a few failures with them, both when they were called svetlana's and the new winged C's.
.
Click to expand...

Have you tried them in a 400PS yet?

I've had really good luck with Winged C 6550s, but no doubt John goes through a lot more of them than I do.
 
#19
JimmyM said:
ruby puts out winged c's? i thought they were made by svetlana.
Click to expand...

Ruby just relabels. It doesn't matter what it is, they'll buy them, match them, and slap their label on them. I can post a picture of the set I have if you'd like. As far as failures, I've had one winged C 6550 out of 16 fail on me and that was after about 2 years of consistent use. My winged C 6L6GCs are going strong, and I didn't have the JJ 6L6GCs long enough to make a comment - sold the amp about 3 months after retubing.

And just for clarity, Svetlana in the US =/= Winged C. Sovtek owns the name Svetlana in north america. Winged C is Svetlana electron devices (SED) but they can't use that name here.
 
#20
Tube Depot has "Factory Second" Winged C's for $35 a pair. If you ask they'll send you a matched Sextet (which comes to like $115 with shipping). I've had no problems with the set I ordered...so I ordered another backup set.

If you go JJ, I can really recommend Eurotubes...the single MOST helpful internet shopping experience I've ever had...REALLY took his time to consider my tonal goals and make recommendations accordingly...

-JV
 

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