Reference 5SE power supply tubes
 

Does the power supply in the Reference 5SE use a 6550C or a 6550WE? My manual says it's a 6550C but I found that the tube that's in mine is a 6550WE. Which is correct? Or does it make a difference?

ARC started with 6550C so that's why it is in the manual. But the 6550C is no longer available at the quality level that it had with Svetlana. ARC buys in large quantities and the 6550WE is available. In the ARC power supplies either tube (Svetlana or WE) will work fine. The WE is a tad more analytical. The current 6550C is not suitable and a reputable dealer should sell them for use in ARC.

I used to have a ref 5SE. I bought a 6550C winged C and I couldn’t use it because it was so tall that it was nearly touching the cover. Never had that problem with a 6550WE.

Surprising, Many friends and myself have used a 6550c without a y problem. And i confirm, at the beginning it was a 6550c in ref5...

The winged c 6550c that I purchased was about 1/4” taller than the Sovatek 6550we. The winged c came very close to touching the top cover of my ref 5SE so I decided not to use it. It may have been OK to actually use it but at the time I had another 6550we so I did not use it. Perhaps I was being overly cautious.

As you can see, I still have it but have not tried it in my ref 6.

Best Regards

Buy a NOS Tungsol 6550. You won't regret it.

I have a ref 6 and had a ref 3 before that. When I use a Tungsol 6550 black plate or grey smooth plate it always makes the bass too pronounced in the ref 6 in my new house, but not in the old house (room differences effect). I also have winged C's from 05, 07, 10, 11 and 1996!

Whats interesting about the 10/11 date codes is that the getters are positioned flat and look like WE's getters not angled like the earlier date codes. I would say in the ref 6 they seem to make the unit more smooth in the upper mid lower treble compared to the WE, but it seems to lose some of the spacial cues when not using the WE's, go figure!

I have also tried the 6H30 DR's from the 70's and 80's in the ref 6 and can't really make up my mind. I keep coming back to stock! In the ref 3 the DR's and Tungsol black plates always seemed much better than stock!

Another interesting thing about 6550 tube either Svetlana or Tungsol is that they all sound different. I have 3 Toungsol black plates that are brand new NOS from Andy of Vintage Tube Services and they do each have there own slight sonic signature. I would also say that the older winged C's seem more focused in the bass!

I hope some other ref 6 users give there insights to 6550 debate. I'am no expert!!! just wanted to participate in the discussion.

thanks,

John.

Reference 5SE power supply tubes
 

Try GE or Sylvania vintage1970’s 6550. My Ref 40 loves both. Third place would be the Winged C’s older vintage. Like you I have about 25 pair boxed carefully. The 40 was voiced with the W/C Tubes. WE sounds decidedly inferior. The older GE from the early 70’s are best with welded plates.