Mic Kaczmarczik's TubeInformation - The Blue Guitar

if, for example, the amp in question is a Fender with a 6V6
> > output stage, replacing the tube rectifier with solid state rectifiers is
> > liable to fry the 6V6(s) because of the resulting increase in plate voltage;
> > Fender already runs them way over spec to begin with.
> >
> > Bill
> Contrary to popular belief, Fender never operated 6V6s beyond their
> ratings. Most people are familiar with the 360V anode rating of the 6V6,
> but this is an old style rating called a "Design center value". This is
> a rating that has a built in allowance for variations in tube
> manufacturing, AND, it tries to anticipate variations in the application
> circuit.
>
> Later, the rating system was revamped to list "Design maximum values",
> where only the production variations were accounted for. The low 360V
> plate voltage then magically soared well above 400V with no actual change
> to the tube itself. The same was true for the 5881.
>
> With respect to the solid-state rectifier sub question: As long as the
> bias level is properly proportioned for the higher anode voltage, then
> 6V6s are happy to work at B+ values above 420V.
>
The dissipation rating for 6V6GTs also goes up to 14W from 12W.
Re 6V6s, SS plug ins, & 420+V, for posterity you probably need to add:
Don't try this at home with Sovtek 6V6GTs :)
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