I did a little peek around and only found a lower spec 6v6 equivalent in the old Rusky products. My understanding is that a lot of the old model designators are being made on equipment salvaged or bought cheap from many of the western Euro factories. So why change dies and forms and such? Sorry I can't recall my sources as my memory is reaching back to a prior epoch for this So fact check as you like. I'm usually willing to be wrong.
Of course this doesn't preclude the possibility that the tube inside the 6v6s bottle was once in a completely different Russian bottle with an entirely different base. This doesn't seem like a stretch.
Looking at old black and white footage from the golden age it's clear that there was a tremendous amount of QC and skilled labor at the factory level that I've read simply doesn't exist today. So the old dies and stamps for, say, el34's of one type or another may be in use, but the tubes don't perform the same due to tolerance and materials. I think some of us have seen a lot of this sort of thing. You know, brand new el34's with regurgitated spec sheets that say the plates can take 800V shorting to the heater at 470V during clipping with all other specs observed.
From what I gather most of the 6L6 types perform as expected. El34 types are a weak link, as are 6550's and the uber kt types. The kt66 aren't "real" kt66's but still function, as with 6v6 types. The strongest performers for tone AND function seem to be a couple of the 6l6 types, one of the 5881's and a couple of the el84's (just look at what the Carr, Bruno, Fuch's, etc are using). As for el34's, well... We're not going to go on without them, so just use the Ruby selected Shuguang tubes labeled el34b. Try to keep it limited to heads because IMHE they tend to microphony, but otherwise sound and perform well. I use mostly el84's and I'm getting the most joy from the 6n14n/6p14p types with the longevity and or durability suffix codes like EM or K. Most are from the old Reflektor factory. I have about 20 K's right now. They are ruggedized and tested for microphonics. Since my own personal amp is a combo and these tubes are lasting easily three times as long as market versions and sounding great, I am pleased.
These are my limited observations and experiences on the matter.
Of course this doesn't preclude the possibility that the tube inside the 6v6s bottle was once in a completely different Russian bottle with an entirely different base. This doesn't seem like a stretch.
Looking at old black and white footage from the golden age it's clear that there was a tremendous amount of QC and skilled labor at the factory level that I've read simply doesn't exist today. So the old dies and stamps for, say, el34's of one type or another may be in use, but the tubes don't perform the same due to tolerance and materials. I think some of us have seen a lot of this sort of thing. You know, brand new el34's with regurgitated spec sheets that say the plates can take 800V shorting to the heater at 470V during clipping with all other specs observed.
From what I gather most of the 6L6 types perform as expected. El34 types are a weak link, as are 6550's and the uber kt types. The kt66 aren't "real" kt66's but still function, as with 6v6 types. The strongest performers for tone AND function seem to be a couple of the 6l6 types, one of the 5881's and a couple of the el84's (just look at what the Carr, Bruno, Fuch's, etc are using). As for el34's, well... We're not going to go on without them, so just use the Ruby selected Shuguang tubes labeled el34b. Try to keep it limited to heads because IMHE they tend to microphony, but otherwise sound and perform well. I use mostly el84's and I'm getting the most joy from the 6n14n/6p14p types with the longevity and or durability suffix codes like EM or K. Most are from the old Reflektor factory. I have about 20 K's right now. They are ruggedized and tested for microphonics. Since my own personal amp is a combo and these tubes are lasting easily three times as long as market versions and sounding great, I am pleased.
These are my limited observations and experiences on the matter.
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