This is just my opinion, but I see no reason whatsoever to use the 6550 tube. The Legend Starlet integrated amplifier, a fabulous sounding product, designed around this tube(run pedal to the metal) excepted.
My complaints are basically everything you outlined Zaikesman. I'm not sure I wouldn't investigate a nice solid state amp over something running 6550. My money would be on the KT90 or KT88 every day of the week.
If I was after neutral sound, the Ei KT90 would be my choice, which is what I use in my Jadis. This tube is rugged, reliable, and very long lasting. Still going strong after 4 years. It is not a sweet tube, but offers a nice tone. It betters the 6550 in every area one would ever opt for that tube - bass, power, longevity, extension, neutrality.
As for the KT88, it is a sweeter sound, and sounds more like what most people consider classic tube. Will probably give them a go next in the Jadis. It's midrange is great, with a nice punch in the bass. And, I can't complain about the treble.
The JJ KT88 are my favorite, by far. After that, I guess I like the Svetlana. The JJ tubes, badged Teslovak, had a bad production run and ruined many a person's day a few years back, but recently a good friend of mine had a bad Svetlana do some serious damage to his Rogue amplifier/ Coincident speaker. So, who knows?
My complaints are basically everything you outlined Zaikesman. I'm not sure I wouldn't investigate a nice solid state amp over something running 6550. My money would be on the KT90 or KT88 every day of the week.
If I was after neutral sound, the Ei KT90 would be my choice, which is what I use in my Jadis. This tube is rugged, reliable, and very long lasting. Still going strong after 4 years. It is not a sweet tube, but offers a nice tone. It betters the 6550 in every area one would ever opt for that tube - bass, power, longevity, extension, neutrality.
As for the KT88, it is a sweeter sound, and sounds more like what most people consider classic tube. Will probably give them a go next in the Jadis. It's midrange is great, with a nice punch in the bass. And, I can't complain about the treble.
The JJ KT88 are my favorite, by far. After that, I guess I like the Svetlana. The JJ tubes, badged Teslovak, had a bad production run and ruined many a person's day a few years back, but recently a good friend of mine had a bad Svetlana do some serious damage to his Rogue amplifier/ Coincident speaker. So, who knows?