ARC Ref 3: Tung-Sol 6550 in power supply?

Marco_esposito - your findings seem to confirm what Guido has written before - the current production TungSol 6550 (so called "reissue") does not bring a net benefit compared to SED 6550C.

When I was talking about the improvment I got by inserting a TungSol 6550, I meant the NOS (New Old Stock) TungSol 6550 Black Plate from the early 50s - which is a totally different tube to the one you have tried.

I cannot recomment it (NOS TungSol Black Plate) highly enough.

Thank you Marco, please keep us posted on Black Sable. . . I wish there were a 6550 variant that would outdo the SED 6550C with greater top to bottom extension, tighter bass control, and greater harmonic development. . . . as you may notice, I am not necessarily seeking 'warmth'.

As anticipated here you can find my system to better understand my findings:
http://forum.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/fr.pl?vopin&1220291925&view

Marco
beautiful looking room

I've read every post in this thread with interest.

I have the Ref 3 in my audio system that replaced my SP-14. The system also includes a ARC CD-7 and a PH-7 phono stage. The addition of the Ref-3 brought my system to the best its ever sounded. I mean ... its great!

Now then, about a month ago, I, and a friend, went to a live symphony and sat in the third row center. My question is this: What tubes can I use in my Ref-3 that will make my system sound like THAT!? ~lol~

OP.