For Tube Folks...

@daveyf

Thanks for your encouragement regarding the quality of the 6550 power tube. I appreciate hearing of your first-hand experiences.

@goofyfoot

Thanks for the names of the 'newer tube brands'. I have not heard of them.. I hope they prosper... but not too much ;-)

Thanks to all.  I appreciate the information!  

Also, I have failed, twice, to post a photo of the tube on this thread.  

As a work-around, I added the photo to my SYSTEM, for clarity.

Hi All -

I really appreciate the information. 

A special thanks to @ Viridian for mention the "The straight glass, three getter tube has a side getter so will have silvering on the side in addition to on the top"

I do not want to delve into the what constitutes 'NEW' or 'USED' conversation at this time, but that may be a worthwhile string someday...

+1 atmasphere

I examined the pins when I cleaned them.  All showed light-ware - a sheen that indicated they were inserted into a socket.  I was not alarmed because the seller's description indicated that they had been tested and had some burn-in hours.  Perhaps I should have thought twice...  

"An excellent lot, matched to within 5 percent and then aged in a hi-fi shop demo unit. Very low hours, burn-in time only, and the performance has been verified by us..."

Regards,

+1 mulveling

Thanks for the details regarding the side-getter patch-chronology - very helpful.

As a novice, this is my first tube with a side-getter as well as my first 'NOS' tube purchase.  If I purchase another, I will be better informed...

Regards,