Hi Jim, I received the full set of valves for my R8 from you and have just fitted them. Thank you for marking up the order of them for me. What a huge difference they have made they are so smooth compared withe the stock Chinese valves that came with the amp. I was surprised how quickly they came to me in France. And how well packaged they were. Great service! Thanks Jim. Dan
I've got Svetlana 6P1P-EV beam Tetrodes that I ordered (from Russia) in my Nobsound amp and they significantly lowered the bass coming out of that amp and greatly improved the sound (from the Chinese) tubes that were in there originally. Not to say that the Chinese tubes were bad mind you, but Svetlana ...hard to go wrong with those tubes. Love your vids! :)
Hi Jim. As usual, great down to earth video. It's great that there is a member of the KT88/6550 family that actually sounds better than just very good. As I've said as per other correspondence, I'm using a quad of Sophia Electric KT88-ST blue glass. I'm not sure what the advantage of using blue glass is, but they do have a bit of punch down low - although all KT88/6550's have had this quality; but lacked other preferred qualities. The Tung-Sol EL34 re-issue on the other hand is just nicer sounding everywhere else, although can't wait to try your Sylvania 6SN7/MELZ 6H9C (6SL7)/Mullard EL34(6CA7) combination. They should arrive early next week.
This tube is amazing - a matched quad of these completely changes the R8 - it triples in value with these tubes. I cannot recommend these tubes enough for the R8. #mindblown
Jim, I had 2x a couple of quads. They sound very good. Only problem I had was the max current at the end of there life they can go into red plate, no I use electrolytes for 5 years and recap them. So not be course a electrolyte was shorting or some other reason. But the Svetlana sound very deep low, soft and very active mids, sweet highs. I can not get good ones within reasonal price. Nice video nice tube
In general terms, none, the 6550 and the KT88 are both beam powered tetrodes, with identical pinouts and very similar specifications. The vintage Svet 6550C is basically a well made high quality KT88 type. If you follow my channel you'll already know I'm also a big fan of the vintage Svet EL34 and both of these tube where made in the St.Petersburg factory (production ceased in early 2000's) For a review of the sonic performance please watch the video.
I have 2 6550's bought in 2001 .They are still new and THERE IS NO GETTER FLASH,none when new.So this tube here has been riden for many many years as to the flash it comes in slowly with time...
Hi Again Jim. What code should I be using on your website if I want to order a quad of Svetlana 6550's? It would be nice to try these in addition to the Mullard 6CA7's.
@@tubelab194 - You tell me now! I think it's a bit late, lol. The R8 is my first and only tube amplifier. I also own a Naim Supernait 3 and a NAD M33 and after spending $AU5,000 on all manner of valves for the R8, it's clear that I am totally addicted. Believe it or not, it's my favourite amp, even more so than the Naim and NAD - except the NAD with Dirac Live turned on, but then where's the fun in that! I'm starting to wonder if there is a medication I can take to quell my addiction, but on second thoughts, stuff it; I'm ordering your Svetlana 6550's. Oh dear...
@@tbear2327 I'm like a casino that hands out Gamblers Anonymous pamphlets to you on the way out the door! But seriously, I don't think it's the rolling we're addicted to .... It's the sound! My friend Brian says your first tube amp is like your first free sample of meth! No one ever goes back to solid state! Another online friend says, if you're bored with your tube system, plug your solid state amp back in for a whole week. When you change back to tubes it will be love renewed!
Technically the Getter has nothing to do with maintaining the vacuum, but will absorb inpurities in the tube. It is a good indicator of the state of the vacuum, but doesn't maintain the vacuum. Just being pedantic I know :). Got to watch corrosion on the pins that may damage the glass to metal seal, but tubes have to be pretty badly treated for that to really become an issue :) I have only recently foudn your channel and I am enjoying looking over your videos Thanks for the detailed expanations. The Svetlana 6550 C's are ridiculously expensive here in Australia at the moment (Jan 2023). I am seeing them between AU$500 and AU$900 each.........
I disagree. It is my understanding that the gettering absorbs stray gas molecules, some that remained after the vacuum pump was removed and some that slip in over time. Vacuum tubes never have a perfect vacuum, but they need a close to perfect vacuum and if the stray gas molecules build up that's the death of any tube. That's the entire purpose of the gettering material to absorb those stray molecules and maintain the vacuum. BTW a pendantic approach is not appreciated. You or anyone is encouraged to bring meaningful thoughtful and useful information to the discussion.
Hello Jim, I would like to visit your online store,but every computer and device that I tried sends up a privacy error (expired certificate) and will not let me proceed. You may want to look into hosting service provider for your online store. Thank you!
Sorry for the inconvience, we are working on it, looks like Google is having some issues, it even tried to keep me out of my own store! I'll let you know as soon as we get it fixed.
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Hi Jim, I received the full set of valves for my R8 from you and have just fitted them. Thank you for marking up the order of them for me. What a huge difference they have made they are so smooth compared withe the stock Chinese valves that came with the amp. I was surprised how quickly they came to me in France. And how well packaged they were. Great service! Thanks Jim.
Dan
Glad they worked out! And thanks for the nice review!
I've got Svetlana 6P1P-EV beam Tetrodes that I ordered (from Russia) in my Nobsound amp and they significantly lowered the bass coming out of that amp and greatly improved the sound (from the Chinese) tubes that were in there originally. Not to say that the Chinese tubes were bad mind you, but Svetlana ...hard to go wrong with those tubes. Love your vids! :)
Hi Jim. As usual, great down to earth video. It's great that there is a member of the KT88/6550 family that actually sounds better than just very good. As I've said as per other correspondence, I'm using a quad of Sophia Electric KT88-ST blue glass. I'm not sure what the advantage of using blue glass is, but they do have a bit of punch down low - although all KT88/6550's have had this quality; but lacked other preferred qualities. The Tung-Sol EL34 re-issue on the other hand is just nicer sounding everywhere else, although can't wait to try your Sylvania 6SN7/MELZ 6H9C (6SL7)/Mullard EL34(6CA7) combination. They should arrive early next week.
This tube is amazing - a matched quad of these completely changes the R8 - it triples in value with these tubes. I cannot recommend these tubes enough for the R8. #mindblown
Just got the R8 and no nothing about tubes. You’re my guy
Jim, I had 2x a couple of quads. They sound very good. Only problem I had was the max current at the end of there life they can go into red plate, no I use electrolytes for 5 years and recap them. So not be course a electrolyte was shorting or some other reason. But the Svetlana sound very deep low, soft and very active mids, sweet highs.
I can not get good ones within reasonal price. Nice video nice tube
So what's are the main differences between this tube and the kt88 interms of sound?
In general terms, none, the 6550 and the KT88 are both beam powered tetrodes, with identical pinouts and very similar specifications. The vintage Svet 6550C is basically a well made high quality KT88 type. If you follow my channel you'll already know I'm also a big fan of the vintage Svet EL34 and both of these tube where made in the St.Petersburg factory (production ceased in early 2000's) For a review of the sonic performance please watch the video.
@@tubelab194 thank you, I have watched the el34.. I understand those differences.
I have 2 6550's bought in 2001 .They are still new and THERE IS NO GETTER FLASH,none when new.So this tube here has been riden for many many years as to the flash it comes in slowly with time...
If you have R8 and you are not using 6550c you just missing of potential of R8 what a tube it is insane quality just wooow
Can I ask which other tubes have you used and what musical styles do you listen to?
Hi Again Jim. What code should I be using on your website if I want to order a quad of Svetlana 6550's? It would be nice to try these in addition to the Mullard 6CA7's.
The Svet 6550's are listed under KT88/KT90/6550 and product #550q (quad). Careful tube rolling can be addictive!
@@tubelab194 - You tell me now! I think it's a bit late, lol. The R8 is my first and only tube amplifier. I also own a Naim Supernait 3 and a NAD M33 and after spending $AU5,000 on all manner of valves for the R8, it's clear that I am totally addicted. Believe it or not, it's my favourite amp, even more so than the Naim and NAD - except the NAD with Dirac Live turned on, but then where's the fun in that! I'm starting to wonder if there is a medication I can take to quell my addiction, but on second thoughts, stuff it; I'm ordering your Svetlana 6550's. Oh dear...
@@tbear2327 I'm like a casino that hands out Gamblers Anonymous pamphlets to you on the way out the door! But seriously, I don't think it's the rolling we're addicted to .... It's the sound! My friend Brian says your first tube amp is like your first free sample of meth! No one ever goes back to solid state! Another online friend says, if you're bored with your tube system, plug your solid state amp back in for a whole week. When you change back to tubes it will be love renewed!
Technically the Getter has nothing to do with maintaining the vacuum, but will absorb inpurities in the tube. It is a good indicator of the state of the vacuum, but doesn't maintain the vacuum. Just being pedantic I know :). Got to watch corrosion on the pins that may damage the glass to metal seal, but tubes have to be pretty badly treated for that to really become an issue :)
I have only recently foudn your channel and I am enjoying looking over your videos Thanks for the detailed expanations.
The Svetlana 6550 C's are ridiculously expensive here in Australia at the moment (Jan 2023). I am seeing them between AU$500 and AU$900 each.........
I disagree. It is my understanding that the gettering absorbs stray gas molecules, some that remained after the vacuum pump was removed and some that slip in over time. Vacuum tubes never have a perfect vacuum, but they need a close to perfect vacuum and if the stray gas molecules build up that's the death of any tube. That's the entire purpose of the gettering material to absorb those stray molecules and maintain the vacuum. BTW a pendantic approach is not appreciated. You or anyone is encouraged to bring meaningful thoughtful and useful information to the discussion.
Hello Jim,
I would like to visit your online store,but every computer and device that I tried sends up a privacy error (expired certificate) and will not let me proceed.
You may want to look into hosting service provider for your online store.
Thank you!
Sorry for the inconvience, we are working on it, looks like Google is having some issues, it even tried to keep me out of my own store! I'll let you know as soon as we get it fixed.
Fixed, Google even apologized!