2A3 v 6550

[rick57]

I was thinking of doing a PP (Sovtek) 2A3.

Then I started seeing the odd post by SY and Frank about the 6550 variants being better value.

Who knows - does the 6550 triode mode sound as good as the 2A3?

(A 6550 PP will produce more power, which may be a plus): are other considerations?

Which 6550s sound best?

[SY]

Frank and I are both fond of the old Tung Sol 6550s. They'll do great, if you can find them.

I have no experience with current production 6550.

[rick57]

Thanks Oh man of many faces.
Who’s had the pleasure of listening to both new 2A3s and new 6550s in triode mode?

[rick57]

"The legendary Tung-Sol 6550 is again available.
Manufactured in Russia to the original specifications, and after years of development, an expert team of vacuum tube designers has re-created the best series of this famous tube type that has ever been marketed.
Initial stocks have arrived and can be supplied for $A72 each (inc. GST) plus $2 matching per tube"

http://www.evatco.com.au/new.htm

As good as old?

[SY]

I haven't tried them, but I seriously doubt it. I'd be interested to know if anyone who has used the genuine Tung Sols has actually tried them, though.

[rick57]

(Not having heard either) couldn’t a contemporary better paid Russian worker do at least as well as an underpaid comrade from the old era?

Why doubt the new Russia so?

[SY]

The materials once used in tube manufacture are, by and large, just not available anymore, no matter how good a worker Sasha is.

The large scale manufacturing setup which cost-justifies proper production tooling just doesn't exist- these tubes are now niche items, not mass-produced. The variation inherent in artisinal manufacture can be interesting if you're talking about wine or bread but not so if you're dealing with tubes.

Every copy I've tried of "classic" tubes has been notably inferior to the original. Some of the copies are nice tubes, but...

So... I can't honestly say that the new 6550s aren't as good as the old ones, not having actually tried them, but it's where I'd lay my bet. I'd love to be wrong about this one- I'm now totally out of Tung Sols.

[kmtang]

I have built 300B, 2A3, and 45 SE power amps. 2A3 sounds most smooth and sweet.

I believe 2A3 should be great even in PP configuration.


Johnny

[rick57]

There seems to be a distinct Class System in the tube world:

- 300B, 2A3, and 45 – the upper class
- the rest

Does this reflect sonic reality; for the price paid?

[SY]

That's a pretty limited universe of good tubes, more reflecting fashion and familiarity than engineering reality. I don't know much about "class" in the sense you're using it, but there are a LOT of tubes out there which can make first-rate amplifiers.