tube choice for Leslies (again)

[random@well.com (Ben "Jacobs")]

It's been a few months since the last time 'round on this one, so I thought
I'd launch the topic again (lots of new folks around here):  WHAT BRANDS OF
TUBES ARE CURRENTLY TOP CHOICE FOR LESLIES?  (Gosh, is this really,
subconsciously, an open letter to Al Goff?)...

My particular setup is a B3 w/Trek solid-state preamp into 22H amp in a 145
(short) cabinet.  But comments addressed to the more typical B3/122 setup
would be generally helpful, I'm sure.  Again, I'm mostly playing bluesy
funk in larger/loud combos (aiming for the more contemporary lush/fat
sound, just shy of overt distortion), but more general comments would be of
interest.

Also, a few related questions (some rpts from last time)...  What are
typical performance symptoms/indications of tubes reaching retirement age?
What is proper tube burn-in procedure?  Does the amp need to be re-biased
or otherwise adjusted upon tube replacement?  How important is tube
matching in the Leslie circuit (power tubes, pre-amp)?

Here are some brands curr. avail (in greatly increasing order of cost):
  Sino/China (low cost, make that cheap "ting" sound when struck!)
  Sovtek (actually, Sovtek 6550's not avail right now, I hear...?)
  Svetlana (Russian-made, offered as sub for unavail Sovtek 6550's)
  G.E. (still churning 'em out in Owensboro, KY?)
  Ruby Tubes (are these guys just repackaging other makes? from ??)
  Richardson Gold (for home hi-fi snobs only? repackaged? from ??)

A big list of US suppliers was posted here by Louis M Leciejewski from
Brian Carling (ham radio enthusiast, AF4K, brian.carling@acenet.com).  I'll
see if I can get his most current, to repost here, if there appears to be
any interest.

One last question.  Sovtek (and maybe others) sell a solid-state plug-in
replacement, ostensibly suitable for all 5Y3, 5U4, 5AR4 type rectifier
applications.  Any comments on what to expect from SS rectifier in a
Leslie, as opposed to tube component?

/************************************************************************
 * ben "jacobs", random@well.sf.ca.us, http://www.well.com/user/random/ *
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