2. amps-preamps
  3. 157483-2429

Replacement Tubes for ARC Reference 6

I realize that the tube replacement for ARC's Ref 6 are good quality, and when I get these from ARC they would be matched.  I believe these are all Russian--good, but not great.  Is there any reason to check for better quality tubes when I do a replacement?  These are 6H30P and 6550WE tubes.  
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noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
Try these from the tubestore

jbrrp1
423 posts
 
Nice!  Just ~$3k to re-tube my ARC Ref 40.  And then I get to enjoy them for about 1.5 years.  I sure would like to try them to hear if they are worth it, but that is some hefty consumable tariff.
oldhvymec
5,101 posts
 

Your unit tracks tube life? About 2000 on the 6550 and 4000 on the 6H30P.  Why on earth that valve, duno.. They're expensive, can't use any other valves either. KT88 are not recommended either. 6550s, and 6H30P only.

Regards
roberjerman
4,319 posts
 
Order a new set of 6H30P's directly from a Russian vendor. Same for a 6550. No need for any special "selection" as ARC claims!
Post removed 
lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,443 posts
 
+1, noromance.

The very least you should go for SVETLANA Winged "C" 6550C rectifier. This alone would be an improvement over WE6550. The Reflector 6H30n-DP are the best variants of 6H30p but hard to find and expensive.

I had these tubes in my Ref 6 and heard immediate uptick in overall SQ.
joecasey
484 posts
 
The very least you should go for SVETLANA Winged "C" 6550C rectifier.

Look for ones made before factory burned down.  Ones made later is different and not very good.

tomic601's avatar
tomic601
12,911 posts
 
The NOS TungSol ( Harrison NJ ) 6550 is killer in the Ref5se, Andy at Vintage Tube services is good source.
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
Someone said the 6550 is a rectifier. It's a regulator in the power supply. 
noromance's avatar
noromance
9,769 posts
 
If you have a metal cover on the unit, you might consider removing it and/or fitting the acrylic one.
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