My preanps and amps are DIY. I use metalized polypropylene filter caps for all tube plate voltages because they have better ESR than electrolytic and they do not age and deteriorate over the years (even if they are not used) the way electrolytics do. They are usually larger than electrolytics, but if you can fit them into a chassis of a factory-made unit, they are a better replacement.
Went to buy Vandersteen 2C speakers and came home with a conrad-johnson Premier 11A.
I found a great deal on a pair of Vandersteen 2C speakers with Sound Anchor stands. I didn’t need them, but they are identical to a pair that I had back in the 90s. While I was there, the seller mentioned that he had an amp that he wanted to sell. It was on a shelf in a basement collecting dust. The price was right, so I bought it. He said there are about 40 hours on the tubes. Hopefully, the caps are ok. I’m thinking I’ll try a Wiim Ultra streamer with volume control just to see if everything works. I have old preamps by NAD and Rotel, but they aren't good ones.
Is there anything special that I should do before firing up the old girl? This is my first tube amplifier.
- ...
- 71 posts total
Yes, the KT88's are interchangeable with the 6550's. I went thru the tube rolling phase many moons ago. Yes, the amp will sound different, not necessarily better. I tried a quad of the Tung Sols.....bad experience. One shorted out after only a few months of use. Out of warranty of course. Back to Electro Harmonix. Now, if you can, find some Svetlana 6550's. The factory closed, but those tubes sounded the best in my particular Premier 11A, and the Plasma Glow and Swirl at night time was a pleasant light show!! |
@quincy that’s good to know. My tubes say "Svetlana Electron Devices Inc". 6550c. Made in Russia, 9746. They look like the tubes being sold on this website. :
|
Hang on to those puppies! Tube's can stay static, power off, for a hundred years! Once those Svetlana tubes warm up, at night time, the plasma created inside due to electrons moving in the vacuum will emit a beautiful purple lavender glow, and actually swirl slowly like a mini tornado. No other 6550 I've found does that. Buried in some back up hard drive I have flip phone camera shots of them in action. They don't do them justice! Let me know if you wish to sell those rare vintage tubes!! |
@quincy thanks for the information! I guess I got lucky. The seller estimated that he'd put about 40 hours on those tubes. |
- 71 posts total