Recommend Modern New Production 6550 for Mark III

Here I am in 2018 wondering if those Mk III's (not hot rodded) are as good as I remember, they've been mothballed for 10 years now. They were the best bedroom heaters. Output tube wise I don't want to use the Tung Sol 6550's that I used before because they valued out of sight, replacement wise, and my ears are not going to hear any subtle differences anyhow. Likewise with the Mullard GZ34 rectifiers. Are the KT66/KT88 Pavanes/Shuguangs a good sub for the 6550's and what about the "new" Tung Sol 5AR4/GZ34 tube rectifier replacements. Thanks

hrbay wrote:Here I am in 2018 wondering if those Mk III's (not hot rodded) are as good as I remember, they've been mothballed for 10 years now. They were the best bedroom heaters. Output tube wise I don't want to use the Tung Sol 6550's that I used before because they valued out of sight, replacement wise, and my ears are not going to hear any subtle differences anyhow. Likewise with the Mullard GZ34 rectifiers. Are the KT66/KT88 Pavanes/Shuguangs a good sub for the 6550's and what about the "new" Tung Sol 5AR4/GZ34 tube rectifier replacements. Thanks

You can use JJ 6550 . I have a quad in use that has 3850h on them.
JJ KT88 is an alternative, although more expensive.

I had a set of the new Tung Sol 6550’s in my VTA-120 and they worked well.

I'm also using new Tung Sol 6550's in my VTA ST-120 and they sound great. I built my amp in March '18.

I initially got them because I read that they're said to have great all around sound with nice top end but a little less bass than the KT88s. I may get the reissue Genalex Gold Lions down the road but have speaker placement to work out first. Not in any rush.

FWIW, currently using a Tung Sol 5AR4 rectifier but will change to the Weber WS-1t after I install my auto bias board.

hrbay wrote:Here I am in 2018 wondering if those Mk III's (not hot rodded) are as good as I remember, they've been mothballed for 10 years now. They were the best bedroom heaters. Output tube wise I don't want to use the Tung Sol 6550's that I used before because they valued out of sight, replacement wise, and my ears are not going to hear any subtle differences anyhow. Likewise with the Mullard GZ34 rectifiers. Are the KT66/KT88 Pavanes/Shuguangs a good sub for the 6550's and what about the "new" Tung Sol 5AR4/GZ34 tube rectifier replacements. Thanks

The PSVane/Shuguangs are very good after a lengthy (100-hour) burn in time. Jury's still out on how long they'll last . . .
Can't help you on the new-issue rectifiers; best to hold out for an original Mullard GZ-33 or-37, or go the Weber route.
As to power tubes, I'd save your shekels for the original GEC KT-88s. A quad goes for a kilobuck but unless the getter flashing is toasted off, they'll likely last forever, and to me, who has tried NOS 6550s and all the modern stuff, they pull all the music there is from your source and deliver it gently into the room.