[MrFixr55]

Did the "bakelite" melt during soldering? Bad enough that the pins pull out, but the real issue is pin tension and not losing the springiness and tension of the pins. Hopefully the ceramic sockets don't use the same pins. I am not immediately running out to build a kit amp as I have 2 Fisher Tube receivers, (400 and 800B) a Scott 299 (if I can pry that back from my brother) a Dunhill (Harman Kardon) integrated amp, a bunch of Heathkits in various states of disrepair, but having 2 Acrosound TO300 transformers, 2 Bogen Challenger 100s,A Dynaco Mark IV, 2 Scott Mono amps (one an integrated amp, the other only a monoblock, with no pairs for either, etc., etc., etc.

Eventually, I have to post some of this on eBay (Have bought much but not these items, but never sold anything on eBay), then consider building some monoblocks or stereo amps, maybe 2 out of the Acrosounds, with 5881s or 6L6s or 2 out of the Bogen Challengers (a monster stereo amp with 4 7591s per channel. Problem is that 7591s are expensive as all heck!

BTW, High power amps are not always about power, they are about transients. One of the hardest types of music to reproduce is classical music. Pop music throughout the ages may have, in fact, been tailored for the recording and reproduction state of the art at the time. most Classical and Sacred music was written before either mechanical or electronic recording and reproduction. It has been said that it takes 200W just to reproduce the sound of a grand piano, especially the attack and decay, with accuracy.