Dubstep Girl's Massive 5AR4/5R4/5U4G Rectifier Review/Comparison! (Rectifer Tube Rolling thread)

[whirlwind]

Sorry going to have to wait until later, OSU vs Georgia is current priority, initial quick listen has me wanting to put my Linlai 2A3 power tubes back in as the Elrog has a bit of a top end bite.

The game was a real heartbreaker

 

[gibosi]

Thanks Gibosi. It was a lazy post really and straight after I did a little research that lead me to the same conclusion, STAY WELL CLEAR!

Another interesting rectifier which can be had for cheap but requires an adapter is the 5X4G. Has anyone here tried it?

The 5X4G is identical to the 5U4G, just a different pin-out. And yes, it's usually cheaper.

 

[gkg2k]

I am about 20 hours in on my tube. I am going to hold off on any comparisons or impressions until about 50 hours. One peculiar behavior has manifested itself. I am using the tube in my WA33 EE. When turning on the amp the filament(?) in the middle is almost intolerably bright. It stays that way as long as the amp is going through it's opening cycle. When initial cycling is done the tube dims. Is this normal? I have not experienced this behavior with any other of my rectifiers. Video file attached.

https://1drv.ms/u/s!AnanFkRWvAbP8Rp9WXkiBdrDqtOx?e=qLPi6Z

Does this also happen with other rectifiers with different intensities?

 

[Badas]

Does this also happen with other rectifiers with different intensities?

Never on mine.

No HP's plugged in on start up is not a good idea. Tubes need a load.

 

[paradoxper]

They are quite close. Both require 3.0 Amps of heater current. The 83 can handle 450 Volts RMS per plate whereas, the 5Z3 can handle 500 Volts RMS. And the 83 can provide at most 225 Ma (DC output current) whereas the 5Z3 can provide 250ma. So yes, in many applications they are interchangeable.

That said, there are a couple of things to keep in mind when using mercury-vapor rectifiers. First, this tube requires preheating. That is, the heaters should be energized first, for several minutes, to warm-up the cathodes before voltage is applied to the plates. If the tube is not preheated, the tube is prone to arcing, and therefore, I do not recommend the use of any mercury-vapor rectifier unless you can find a way to preheat it.

And second, mercury is a poison. If the glass envelope of one of these rectifiers was to break while in operation, the hot vapor would immediately disperse through-out the room. If you are in that room, it will likely be impossible to avoid inhaling the vapor and this would require you to seek immediate medical care. And afterwards, it may well be necessary to hire a hazardous materials remediation company to clean the premises to prevent further exposure.

Yes, the risk of a rectifier breaking in operation is very small, but it is not zero. Some folks think that the risk is too low for concern, but in my opinion, the decision to use a mercury-vapor rectifier is not one that should be taken lightly, especially if you do not live alone...

Be careful out there.

Pffft. Are you even a real audiophile. Of course you risk death, contamination, and possible superpower for the sound.

Mercury aura isn't quite as angelic as the blinding ER5U4G.

 

[jamato8]

The very best and toughest tube rectifier I have used in the metal base 5AR4. I have one that was heavy used and still tests new and sounds excellent. Have them used and NOS and nothing, IMO, compares.

 

[RobertSM]

The very best and toughest tube rectifier I have used in the metal base 5AR4. I have one that was heavy used and still tests new and sounds excellent. Have them used and NOS and nothing, IMO, compares.

I absolutely agree. One of the best especially if your amp was designed specifically for one. A real hall of fame rectifier from the golden age of tube manufacturing.

 

[paradoxper]

The very best and toughest tube rectifier I have used in the metal base 5AR4. I have one that was heavy used and still tests new and sounds excellent. Have them used and NOS and nothing, IMO, compares.

Yup. It is the best rectifier I've used as well.

 

[Basco]

Never on mine.

No HP's plugged in on start up is not a good idea. Tubes need a load.

No offense but I doubt that, no such advise from Woo Audio or in any manual I’ve read. Wouldn’t say it in general and might count how the circuit is designed.

 

[Basco]

Yup. It is the best rectifier I've used as well.

Just curious how does it compare to ER5U4G
Prices gone crazy on these almost $900

 

[gibosi]

No offense but I doubt that, no such advise from Woo Audio or in any manual I’ve read. Wouldn’t say it in general and might count how the circuit is designed.

Yes it does depend on the circuit. For example, a true OTL doesn't need the HPs plugged in. In fact, many recommend against leaving the HPs plugged in until the amp is turned on and operating at it's normal operating temperature. The best advice in every case is to consult the manual.

 

[RobertSM]

hello lumdicks
i had over 50 rectifiers , but never had chance to test WE 274B, can you share impression of WE274B vs WE422A and metal base GZ34 pre 55
i had 5/6 various variations of GZ34 metal (include Matsushita metal) from top to bottom
1- pre 52-53-54 RSB, single disc getter , amazing mid, simply BEST , viceral , neutral, tonal balance on warm side and very smooth, NOTHING can beat it, ( not hear WE274B and Elrog and tak ), but better overall than WE422A,base is very solid and depth
2- 55 RSB twin D getter, tight good transparent , mid is clean, fast like SS, vase is nice
3- Matsushita metal, marvelous musically and smooth , second to pre GZ34, mid is very nice
4- 6M MNA single disc getter ( died), not remember much , but mid is very nice and high is smooth, base is tight
5- TV1 56H twin Dn getter, not worth buying mid is cloud , high little harsh, base not really ssolid
6- TV2 57E twin D getter, not worth buying same as sister TV1

note: adding
... second to metal GZ34: GZ34 fat base f31 xxx, only two variations fat base worth buying is Mullard with rectangle and rectangle round metal weld on plate just bellow top , both are very nice , warm side an very mucically listen, almost up to top tier rectifiers, and also early of GZ34 f31 xxx belgium Sittard black base is better than two tv1-tv2 metal base,
anyway, this is my personnal impression of ALL variation GZ34 i had and listen via WA6se , WA5LE mk1 , also thanks to Dubstep and i agreed to all review on first page

regards

Your findings are interesting. After reading your post I decided to test the two metal base GZ34 I own.

They are date codes:

1. RS1 54J
2. TV2 57E

To my ears in my system they sound identical. The only difference I see is that the RS1 54J tube has soild plates and the tube glows more in a more orange and yellow color.

The TV2 57E does have three holes punched out in each plate. Other than this they look identical to me. Now this tube does glow with more white in the yellow color spectrum. These are the only differences I noticed.

Please note, equipment used MacBook Pro-->Weiss DAC501-4Ch-->ALO Studio Six-->ZMF Verite headphones in African Blackwood. I consider my system to be very revealing.

While I respect what you hear in your system and your personal experience I can't say I heard any differences whatsoever.

Fun experiment for sure though.

Let me add that I definitely believe and have heard differences in same model tubes manufactured in the same factory in a decade to decade time frame.

My specific rectifiers have a small three year production date difference. Not much at all.

 

[paradoxper]

Just curious how does it compare to ER5U4G
Prices gone crazy on these almost $900

While I find rectifiers to sound much more alike than different, the GZ34 presents what I'd say is cleaner where the ER is slightly tilted warm and forward.
If I swap the 1266 TC with ER and compare against Valkyria with GZ34, the differences are very negligible.

The main reason to run a GZ34 is simply for its slow start and robust longevity.

 

[Meme123]

Sorry about few mistake i had made in previous post
- rSB was 1951 to early 1955 variant with welded plates, no holes in plates and single flat-foil solid getter
- rS1 and 6M MNA (was died can not confirmed getters )- mid to late 1955 variant with welded plates, no holes in plates and double D and some variants double O getters
- tV1 was early to mid 1956 varianst with crimped plates, 3 vertical rectangular holes in plates and double D getters ( mine is D and maybe also double O getters )
- tV2 was late 1956 to 1957 variants with crimped plates, 3 vertical rectangular holes in plates and double D or O getters ( can not confirmed , was sold)

my systeme is MSI gaming laptop - antelope Zodiac - WA6se 1 gen and or WA5LE 1 gen and i listen to med volume approx 60-75dB and the sweetness and smooth tender voice of Lana Rey is very liquid like impression of DG, its "profondea"
With "butterly effect: of DJ Snake for example, where tonality and impact deep can i affort at high volume is something i envy for with rSB 54 and my rS1 55 but not TV1-2 series is very harsh and even hurting ( im very sensitive to high due to lost 1 freq due to years working in aircraft test cell )
note: with Metallica and speed metal i feel more clarity of rSB versus rS1 ( a little cloud and missing note with rS1) and i can tell with variations (5U4G/U52..) tubes early made with foil getter sound a little bit more smooth vs D and O getters
Sorry to ALL if i had made some mistake , im very bad at discription of technicality and analytic of music, and for sure if i have again "if need" to get metal base GZ34 and of same gap of money approx, I WILL looking for rSB first then rS1 ( or equivalent also with Matsushita metal GZ34) but not TV1-2 series,
or getter get FAT base with rectangle or round rectangle like this link bellow
https://www.ebay.com/itm/2658843955...MGsIbJ2NJ0Dh9VrtXmsDT/D6A=|tkp:Bk9SR5iym_avYQ
regards

 

[RobertSM]

Sorry about few mistake i had made in previous post
- rSB was 1951 to early 1955 variant with welded plates, no holes in plates and single flat-foil solid getter
- rS1 and 6M MNA (was died can not confirmed getters )- mid to late 1955 variant with welded plates, no holes in plates and double D and some variants double O getters
- tV1 was early to mid 1956 varianst with crimped plates, 3 vertical rectangular holes in plates and double D getters ( mine is D and maybe also double O getters )
- tV2 was late 1956 to 1957 variants with crimped plates, 3 vertical rectangular holes in plates and double D or O getters ( can not confirmed , was sold)

my systeme is MSI gaming laptop - antelope Zodiac - WA6se 1 gen and or WA5LE 1 gen and i listen to med volume approx 60-75dB and the sweetness and smooth tender voice of Lana Rey is very liquid like impression of DG, its "profondea"
With "butterly effect: of DJ Snake for example, where tonality and impact deep can i affort at high volume is something i envy for with rSB 54 and my rS1 55 but not TV1-2 series is very harsh and even hurting ( im very sensitive to high due to lost 1 freq due to years working in aircraft test cell )
note: with Metallica and speed metal i feel more clarity of rSB versus rS1 ( a little cloud and missing note with rS1) and i can tell with variations (5U4G/U52..) tubes early made with foil getter sound a little bit more smooth vs D and O getters
Sorry to ALL if i had made some mistake , im very bad at discription of technicality and analytic of music, and for sure if i have again "if need" to get metal base GZ34 and of same gap of money approx, I WILL looking for rSB first then rS1 ( or equivalent also with Matsushita metal GZ34) but not TV1-2 series,
or getter get FAT base with rectangle or round rectangle like this link bellow
https://www.ebay.com/itm/265884395514?hash=item3de7f1e7fa:g:WQUAAOSwc~tjISOV&amdata=enc:AQAHAAAAoN45h65+44Qz16/UgUCR3aBBstNh6qDICxjHdpQWn1Ly9jdGWx1uFGGO7hC3da3zwBnghVry/xSDo9j1Dd+HEigfQPmB455TGcVWqNE0Uy2EIFF/mWFK//zqNf9S34uVTZF3bp85ni6R1qAP90aemHZWS7UImDKc/M1BaNd9iTfBFPbLFD4YWeg8tEBB7YMGsIbJ2NJ0Dh9VrtXmsDT/D6A=|tkp:Bk9SR5iym_avYQ
regards

All good. That's the beautiful thing about this hobby. We all hear differently and we all enjoy what we enjoy regardless

I've heard many great things about the Antelope Zodiac DAC. It has a great reputation in the pro-audio world and a growing love in Hi-Fi. Also said to have a ton of features and flexibility.