Need tube advice


The plate fuse(KTK 1)on my Conrad Johnson LP70S has blown twice in the last week. This indicates according to the Operation Manual that one of the output tubes - 6550s - has failed. My question to all knowledgeable A'goners : Do I have to get a matched pair from Conrad Johnson or will any matched pair bought on line do? IOWs is brand etc important?
Many thanks in advance.
128x128sunnyboy1956

Showing 1 response by elevick

CJ has very particular taste in tubes. Personally, I'd rather try something with a little less bite. Most of the reputable tube dealers out there have great tubes for the CJ. Try: tubesandmore.com for NOS usa tubes, upscaleaudio.com, echohifi.com for quality tubes. Very pricey but reputable tubes would be from tubeworld.com or tubeman.com
YES, you should replace all output tubes together. Otherwise, you will have a variety of problems from unbalanced sound to greatly reducing the life of the new tubes while they compensate for the old ones. Get your tubes tested first?