Should I try 6550's in 20th Shiva?

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djpatb

djpatb

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Just bought a 20th Shiva off Ebay recently, and the jury is still out. For reference, I've played standard EL34 Shiva's for years now. I played the 20th at home and I really wasn't blown away...then I took it to band practice and I liked it a lot more. It wasn't better than the EL34, just different....there were pro's and cons to each. Different feel for sure, but I adapted quickly. Anyway...the one thing that kinda annoys me...is the high end presence of the KT88 version. I turned the mids way up to get me closer to the EL34 sound, but I couldn't dial out the top end of the 20th. Would 6550's help? Is any particular brand recommended? I have a pair of Tung Sol 6550's laying here somewhere. Thanks!
 
Cool, thanks! My other idea was to try a different brand of KT88's too. It still has the stock Sovtek's inside.
 
djpatb":2zoqbigk said:
Just bought a 20th Shiva off Ebay recently, and the jury is still out. For reference, I've played standard EL34 Shiva's for years now. I played the 20th at home and I really wasn't blown away...then I took it to band practice and I liked it a lot more. It wasn't better than the EL34, just different....there were pro's and cons to each. Different feel for sure, but I adapted quickly. Anyway...the one thing that kinda annoys me...is the high end presence of the KT88 version. I turned the mids way up to get me closer to the EL34 sound, but I couldn't dial out the top end of the 20th. Would 6550's help? Is any particular brand recommended? I have a pair of Tung Sol 6550's laying here somewhere. Thanks!
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I'm in close opinion with you about the high end presence of the KT88s. I was gonna just switch to EL34s and bias the amp. But yea maybe trying 6550's would be wise first. 6550's sounds kinda like a cross between a 6L6 and EL34.
 
=C= 6550's still seemed to have a lot of high end to me when I had them in the 20th Shiva. I had the treble rolled almost all the way to zero when I had that amp. :dunno: IMO, they are closer to 88's than 34's.
 
Granted, I prefer the EL34 sound, but I'm not a KT88 hater. I've had them in a Splawn modded Marshall, and I currently have them in my AFD100...and I like them. But I'm hearing this highend thing going on with the Shiva 20th that annoys me.
 
djpatb":460k0okd said:
Granted, I prefer the EL34 sound, but I'm not a KT88 hater. I've had them in a Splawn modded Marshall, and I currently have them in my AFD100...and I like them. But I'm hearing this highend thing going on with the Shiva 20th that annoys me.
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Switch over to EL34's. I'm experiencing a little of the same thing with the KT88's and getting ready to switch the tubes to SED EL34's and rebias.
 
FWIW, replaced the 88s in my TJ with 6550s and the change was mega.

I'm still horn-doggin' for a Sheevs...
 
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