6550 Tube Selection Guide

6550 Tube

The original 6550 was a pear shaped high power tetrode designed for audio use by American Tung-Sol company.

The 6550 became quite popular in American audio amps in 1950s and on. Later, GE and Philips produced straight bottle 6550s.

6550 tubes were also used in guitar amplifiers, notably in US versions of Marshalls and various versions of Ampeg.

There are 6550 tubes being produced today by Russian and Chinese manufacturers, and we have a variety of these tubes in stock. These current production tubes follow the original TungSol and GE tubes, provide excellent sonics with high reliability.

Quick Note: KT88 and KT90 tubes are upward compatible from 6550. You can usually use any of KT88 or KT90 tubes in place of 6550.

---

Sovtek 6550WE

Sovtek 6550WE is a straight bottle modeled after the original GE 6550A. You will not go wrong with this tube in guitar and bass amps. In audio applications, 6550WE delivers good range in both high and top end. It is perhaps a touch flatter in dynamics compared to other 6550 tubes.

Svetlana 6550C

Svetlana 6550C is visually similar to Sovtek 6550WE, but it comes with extra thermal fins on the plate box for higher heat dissipation. Svetlana 6550C is an excellent all-rounder, and is a good choice for those wanting to upgrade from Chinese 6550. Sonically, Svetlana 6550C offers good low and high ends, along with good dynamics that are signature 6550 sound.

Electro-Harmonix 6550EH

Electro-Hamonix 6550EH comes in a KT88 sized fat bottle. Despite being very similar to KT88EH, 6550EH does not handle quite as much power as KT88EH since it lacks the thermal fins that are found on KT88EH. Sonically 6550EH is very similar to KT88EH. It has good high energy that makes it suitable for audio use with contemporary recording. It also does very well in bass amps.

TungSol 6550

Russian made TungSol 6550 faithfully reproduces that wonderful retro look of the original. It has excellent dynamics with fuller richer body that makes it an excellent choice for audio as well as guitar and bass amps.

TungSol 6550 is currently our top selling 6550.

SED 6550WC

Made by Svetlana factory in St. Petersberg, Russia. SED 6550WC has excellent dynamics and crisp top end.

---