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Ekco EV55 using 6550's in place of KT88

I purchased an EKCO EV55SE from a fellow Audiogon member and since then I've been trying to find out if I can substitute NOS GE 6550's for the KT88's ? I swapped the EKCO labeled KT88's for a quad of Gold Lions but really want to try the GE's also. The previous owner has been a tremendous help going way beyond anything I could ask for. I've contacted IAG via email on a couple of occasions and even called a dealer in the UK but can't seem to get an answer. The previous owner suggested contacting  USA Tube audio as they are a supposed dealer. Well, that was a lesson in futility. No help they just trashed the amp and tried to steer me to another product line they carry. I believe the swap would not be an issue but would like to get some verification before I swap. Don't want to hurt the amp nor lose a tube or two as a result. Thanks.
mets1p
atmasphere's avatar
atmasphere
11,807 posts
 
No worries!

The difference is that the KT88 is supposed to be more linear. But if you have real GE 6550s, they may work better simply because they are a better tube. Have fun!
mets1p OP
33 posts
 

Thanks xti16 !

Thanks for the input atmasphere and yes they are NOS 6550’s !

xti16
1,525 posts
 
When I had Dyn C1's my favorite was the TS 6550 solid black and grey plates. Mids that remind me of EL34's but with much better lows and more power.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,771 posts
 
I swapped in 4 x GE 6550 for KT88s in my TVA(fire!)1 with no issues. 
mets1p OP
33 posts
 
I finally swapped in the GE 6550's. Only had a chance to listen for about an hour last night but so far so good. Thanks for the feedback to all who replied !!
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