Sovtek 6550 - Can they really be THIS bad???

someone mentioned you have the DA60??

if so, I encountered the same issue you had with this amp. I bought one about 2 years ago and was blown away with cosmetics, impressed with the build, ..I had high high hopes.

I had upgraded from the Jadis cheaper integrated......

i tried Ge6550s, el34s, kt88s, swapped out the small signal tubes but just could not get this amp to sound "tubey". ....Jadis had always been described as warm and tubey in regards to the Defy7,.....I concluded that the Da60 and the other integrated was just a darker sounding tube amp.....not my taste...I sold the Da60 and went to Air Tight amps and have not looked back

Albert, the Svetlana tubes sold on the website I mentioned here earlier, are indeed the ones manufactured in the St. Petersburg factory. They are listed on that site as SV 6550C, whatever that means. I've done business with Eugene, (a Russian BTW) and he does a great job matching them, basically at no extra charge, because that's the only
way he sells them.

N

.

Cool, further explanation of why you like and recommend them. We choose the same tube :^).

The name change is very confusing, probably only helpful to the new trade mark holder who is selling off the reputation of the previous factorys work.

As for comments by Justlisten, I would take that to heart. By no means am I suggesting the answer to your problems are switching to the same tubes I bought.

I do think it's important for everyone to report their experience with performance of various tubes so each can make up their own mind.

Maxxc, the "new" Jadis for me is actually a used amplifier, so it's already burned in. My experience is that Jadis amps take a good long time to burn in, but such is not the case this time. $11,800 is more than I could swing, as much as I'd love to buy from Pierre Gabriel - VERY good guy.

Albert, your Sovtek 6550 story makes me wonder why anyone would use this tube, beyond price. Well, maybe that's the reason? Anyway, again, after my past experiences being around ARC, CJ, and VTL amps, and living with this tube and the EH6550, as I have said many a time, I'm simply not a fan of the 6550. The JJ KT88 has sounded better to me in every application. Yes, it's more expensive, but the price is a pittance in comparison to the sonic benefit.

Justlisten, this is my third Jadis. I began with the JOR, which was sublime with JJ Blue Glass E34L. Best midrange I have yet to hear from any amplifier. Next is the DA30 that I still own. Also fantastic, but much different from the JOR. It's strength is a luscious midbass - lower midrange and an overall sweet tone. I could use a bit more power in some situations, which led me to the DA60. Neither was dark sounding. I was most happy with each of them.

So far, this DA60, built like a beast as you have said (1975 Arnold power transformer - the DA30 looks like girly man in comparison), seems lacking in excitement sonically. I now have Mullard Blackburns in the 12AX7 and 12AU7 positions, and while things are looking up, I could still use bit more of the jump factor.

Joe (Trelja),
My CAT JL-2 uses 16 6550s and sounds great. I don't know which 6550s are in it b/c its away right now. When it comes back, you're welcome to come over and have a listen.
Bob