I would wonder if somehow the exterior glass may cause some indirect sonic benefit (such as vibration absorption), so if removing it I personally would do an A/B with one with / without the outer glass shell. At least this would allow an easier fit for a quad GU50 powers setup anyway.Hi m...good question. The 'guide' for this GU50 tube is in fact a raised section that runs 2/3rds the way down its side, denoting the cathode position, and which would therefore fit correctly in the corresponding guide in bespoke holders. But going straight into a socket would need this position marked clearly on the socket itself, so as to marry up with said raised section on the tube. This would obviously have to be pointed out to any 3rd party maker of adapters.... :
The raised guide clearly visible above.
The tube's pins are unevenly spaced, so there are in fact only 2 ways it will fit in the socket, which should limit the chance of incorrect insertion.
And as for that rather strange metal top cover, it obviously can in fact be removed and looks much better for it IMHO!! ...as can be seen below :
(Shan't bother with the LED lights from underneath though, even if it does look 'pretty'!! ).
All I need to do now is work out just how to remove the curved metal cap without breaking the tube lol! ...(just as well I've got some more tubes coming...eventually!!!).
ps. Actually, with these GU50s costing just a few bucks each I'm sorely tempted to make up a neat (not 'Frankenstein!) 2x tube array for each power slot, which should be easy enough to slip in a couple of small leds...with McKintosh blue!...(sounds better the more I think of it lol!! ).
pps. And now with these GU50s beating all comers, I must thank you mordy for providing the extra push for me to test the JAC Music guy's assertion that this tube is 'better' than the KT88...was undecided until then...CHEERS!...CJ
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