2. amps-preamps
  3. 163138-139109

Replacement for SED 6550C Winged C

 I am now using SED 6550C winged C from 2008.  I really love the tone texture of these tubes.

I am having some trouble with my set (4) of these tubes and would like to get a replacement, however I am not finding the exact replacement, made in St. Petersburg, at a reasonable price from a trustworthy dealer.  I could get a set from  Russia but I prefer to try domestically first.

Consequently, I am asking if any of you, having experience with this tube, if you know of another tube that has such tone and texture.  I focus primarily on vocals.

chinook9
8 responses Add your response
chinook9 OP
68 posts
 
The SED Winged C 6550 (c I believe) made in St. Petersburg is my favorite tube, but I was unable to find a quad that worked.  I purchased a quad from a US vendor and they each red-plated to one degree or another.  The vendor replaced them, but the second quad did the same thing and I received a full refund.

I gave up on the Winged C and tried a set of Psvane KT88-TII. I like them enough that I am sticking with them, but I would buy a set of Winged C in a heartbeat if I could find a good set.
williampowell
23 posts
 
Also use NOS JAN GE 6550. Winged C 6550 do come up from time to time from US Resellers. 
vegasears
1,173 posts
 
I switched from SED 6550C Winged "C" to Gold Lion-KT-88's for my VTL amps many years ago.  They are a bit warmer with better bass. I enjoy them so much I've not considered trying another brand of tube.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 


As for the best sounding 6550 I’ve listened to, it been NOS Mil Spec Green Label GE plain white box, like these $350usd each!!!!!
https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0333/7633/products/1_df378355-c1a5-4552-aa85-251a38398fc0_large.jp...
The glass was twice as thick you feel it in the weight and hear it when you flicked them with your finger nail.

Cheers George
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Replacement for SED 6550C Winged C

I had great results with Rogue M120 monoblocks, modded with far better output transformers with KT90’s then after KT120’s from Mike Mathew’s New York company "New Sensor" or "Electro-Harmonix" Whatever he calls it today. Just make sure the heater circuit is up to it, as from memory I think one or the other may take a bit more current than the 6550.

https://shop.ehx.com/item/kt90eh/
https://shop.ehx.com/item/kt120%20tung-sol/

Even cheaper with an account.

Cheers George


russ69's avatar
russ69
3,501 posts
 
I just bought some Gold Lion KT88s for my Prima Luna. A very nice sounding tube. 
newbee
4,767 posts
 
FWIW I read somewhere that the reissue Gold Lion KT88's had a similar tone. My SED6550's are still working so I haven't tried them (yet?).  Also, as an alternative in another amp to the SED 6550's I've been using Tungsol 6550's. The are a tad warmer than the SED's in that amp. The Tungsols are probably less linear than the SED's but they are rugged and not at all expensive (compared to NOS SED 6550, or anything else made by SED for that matter.) 
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,838 posts
 
I did a search one at Brent Jessee’s site and came up with this:http://www.audiotubes.com/audtube.htm
You'll need to scroll down a bit to see what he has in stock.

Good luck and all the best,
Nonoise
Log in to respond
More to discover
80x80
Ayon Audio AYON CROSSFIRE P/A STEREO AMP
80x80
Audio Research Reference Phono 3SE
80x80
Classe Audio Delta Pre Preamp