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For Tube Folks...

Hi All,

I am rather new to tube gear and recently purchased a 'NOS' GE 6550 Power Tube. 

 

A. It was advertised as:  "New old stock in original or OEM box. A nice USA tube that will outperform any current production 6550 made. An excellent lot, matched to within 5 percent and then aged in a hi-fi shop demo unit. Very low hours, burn-in time only, and the performance has been verified by us..."

B. The seller also sells used GE6550 tubes that are advertised as: "Light use, tested good with good match, and white box..."

 

The large black spot on the glass where it GE is etched makes wonder how many hours of usage this tube has seen...

My question -  Within reasonable certainty, is this tube is NOS or is it USED?  

Thanks in advance for any clarity.

 

 

inagroove
inna
7,319 posts
 

Does it matter really, strictly NOS or not quite ?

ghdprentice
7,255 posts
 

Here are photos of new, burned in and tested 6550SE from Audio Research,

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdflood/54304855877/in/dateposted-public/

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/jdflood/54305962264/in/dateposted-public/

 

No blackened areas.

viridian's avatar
viridian
5,129 posts
 

Those are Russian 6550, no side getters, they are designed with top getters only. I remember the good old days when ARC used the SED winged "C" 6550s. Long gone now, glad I squirreled away a few quads.

And Inna, yes language, and terminology, matters, IMHO and YMMV.

inna
7,319 posts
 

Currently using a quad of SED winged "C" EL34 in my VAC. One was gone after 700 hours, had a spare. Bought them from Tube Depot. Not very reliable tubes, I guess, or it was just a bad luck.

invalid
1,241 posts
 

What is the definition of nos? If it means a tube that is sealed in the factory box, I wouldn't want to buy it without it being tested. If it means tests nos, I would still have to know the seller or at least their reputation.

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