2. amps-preamps
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6550s vs kt88s for a mac 275 amp

i will be receiving a mac 275 mark 5 from a dealer in about 10 days. i expect the amp to be equipped with 4 kt88s.
while not my favorite output tube, it has its strengths.

i am wondering about purchasing 4 nos 6550s. i have no idea what to expect with this tube.

are there any reasonably priced which are more mellow in the treble, perhaps also a bit richer in the lower mids and slightly rolled in the treble ?

thanks
mrtennis
rar1's avatar
rar1
1,769 posts
 
Mrtennis:

I am not sure if you would consider these old enough to be NOS. I have been using these 6550's in my Prima Luna Prologue 2 integrated and Prologue 5 power amplifiers. Prefer these to KT88's and EL34's.

SED Winged C 6550 tubes.

Regards, Rich
rcprince
3,070 posts
 
If the sound you're seeking in your preamp is what you want from your amps, the only 6550 I'd suggest would be NOS Tung-Sols. And other than that, I'd suggest getting NOS Gold Lion/Gold Monarch/GEC KT88s. As a general rule, the 6550s will have tighter bass, but a leaner midrange, than the KT88s; not sure you'd like that sound, from your other posts. The Svetlanas that Rich suggests are a current 6550 that appraoches the sound of the old Tung Sols, and may well be richer in the mids than current KT88s, I haven't really listened to the new ones.
jaybo
4,478 posts
 
i have an mc 275 commemorative and still have the tubes it came with. its incredibly musical even at the bottom. a second set also came with it, but i've never rolled them.
velo62
255 posts
 
Roll the Chinese original Mcintosh 12ax7 and 12at7's with Mullards for warmth and smoothness if you prefer a rolled off softer top end.
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