Have you compared the Chatham 6AS7 to the Tung Sol 5998?
Just rolled this in my WA22, with Mullard ECC32 as drivers and Chatham 6AS7 as power. Wonderful sound with good dynamics, deep and high quality bass, sweet mid and airy high.
I do not have TS5998 but have WE421A. WE421A is more powerful with stronger dynamics. In comparison the Chatham is a balanced and smooth tubes while the 421A is a punchy tube with excellent high low extension.
The bottom getter version of the 5998 has the same construction as the 421A.
Have you a post comparing some of these -- specifically 5U4G and 5AR4?I have a different amp (Glenn OTL) and well over 50 different rectifiers, and I have never seen a "slight blue pulse". I wonder if it might be a Woo "feature"?
Using rectifier tubes as ‘tone controls’ is a fascinating idea. To my non-EE but analytical mind, the way in which the rectifier tube performs its task sets up the electrical environment in which ‘downstream’ tubes may reach optimal operating conditions - hence affecting the reproduced soundUnfortunately, my ears are old and worn out. And so I am unable to discern small and subtle differences. For me it's all about tone.
And even if I had golden ears, listening carefully and trying to characterize the sound of over 50 rectifiers (actually closer to 100 including 3 and 4 volt rectifiers) would be a major undertaking.
But I can share one observation that might prove useful. In my experience, tubes manufactured in the same factory by the same company tend to sound very similar. And to my ears, this is true for rectifiers, double triodes and even triode-strapped pentodes, such as the EL3N or C3g.
So to my ears, a Ken Rad 5U4G sounds quite similar to a Ken Rad 6SN7. An RCA 5R4GY sounds quite similar to an RCA 6SN7. A GEC U52 sounds quite similar to a GEC 6AS7G. A Mullard GZ32 sounds quite similar to a ECC32. And so forth.
And further, we don't listen to these tubes in isolation, but rather, in combination with drivers and output tubes. So I tend to use rectifiers as 'tone controls'. If I need to add a little more bass, I might install a Cossor 53KU or even a Svetlana 5C3S. If I need to boost the midrange, I might install a Holland-made GZ34. And if I need to add a little more treble, I might install a Sylvania 5U4G.
Hope this is helpful, but as always, my ears and my gear, YMMV.
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Using rectifier tubes as ‘tone controls’ is a fascinating idea. To my non-EE but analytical mind, the way in which the rectifier tube performs its task sets up the electrical environment in which ‘downstream’ tubes may reach optimal operating conditions - hence affecting the reproduced sound
Thank you…very illuminating…In my experience, the notion that "voltage drop" is responsible for the "sound" of a rectifier doesn't hold water. The sound of a rectifier is a function of the factory it was manufactured in.
The following might be of interest....
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/2359glenn-studio.600110/page-2081#post-15204559
This makes a lot of sense. And all tidbits are helpful. Thank you.Unfortunately, my ears are old and worn out. And so I am unable to discern small and subtle differences. For me it's all about tone.
And even if I had golden ears, listening carefully and trying to characterize the sound of over 50 rectifiers (actually closer to 100 including 3 and 4 volt rectifiers) would be a major undertaking.
But I can share one observation that might prove useful. In my experience, tubes manufactured in the same factory by the same company tend to sound very similar. And to my ears, this is true for rectifiers, double triodes and even triode-strapped pentodes, such as the EL3N or C3g.
So to my ears, a Ken Rad 5U4G sounds quite similar to a Ken Rad 6SN7. An RCA 5R4GY sounds quite similar to an RCA 6SN7. A GEC U52 sounds quite similar to a GEC 6AS7G. A Mullard GZ32 sounds quite similar to a ECC32. And so forth.
And further, we don't listen to these tubes in isolation, but rather, in combination with drivers and output tubes. So I tend to use rectifiers as 'tone controls'. If I need to add a little more bass, I might install a Cossor 53KU or even a Svetlana 5C3S. If I need to boost the midrange, I might install a Holland-made GZ34. And if I need to add a little more treble, I might install a Sylvania 5U4G.
Hope this is helpful, but as always, my ears and my gear, YMMV.
It’s such a fantastic tube. Ive started to prefer it over the U52. I do miss some of the U52 ‘air’ at times, but the 53KU just brings it. My Decware ZP3 has never sounded better.One of my favorite rectifiers. The Cossor 53KU, brown base. Note the unusual side disk getter. It almost resembles a washer with a hole in the center.
@Ranger Ron we have similar tastes. The U52, Cossor 53KU & the metal base GZ34 are definitely my favorite rectifiers. All hall of famers in my book.
Wonderful!One of my favorite rectifiers. The Cossor 53KU, brown base. Note the unusual side disk getter. It almost resembles a washer with a hole in the center.
