[jamato8]

'New Old Stock' Mullard GZ34 (low voltage drop) rectifier tubes -- 'strong' testing on properly calibrated tube testers -- are .

I have a GZ34 metal base with a huge number of hours on it. I got it used for around 30 dollars because the guide pin was broken. Tests like new and is excellent sounding even after many, many hours of use.

 

[Melting735]

I have a GZ34 metal base with a huge number of hours on it. I got it used for around 30 dollars because the guide pin was broken. Tests like new and is excellent sounding even after many, many hours of use.

wow that's an insane price.

 

[babyoh]

Have you read Dubstep Girl's review of rectifiers at the beginning of this thread?

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/dub...mparison-rectifer-tube-rolling-thread.694525/

This will give you some idea about how some of the old 5U4 / 5Z3 tubes sound. That said, she didn't compare the Genelex GZ34.

(And I have never heard the Genelex, so can't say anything either.)

I read the review and got the RCA 5U4G smooth plate. The sound is very well balanced but it sounds veiled compared to Genelex GZ34. So I'm wondering if there's any tube out there that has the RCA sound but with more transparency and resolution.

 

[gibosi]

I read the review and got the RCA 5U4G smooth plate. The sound is very well balanced but it sounds veiled compared to Genelex GZ34. So I'm wondering if there's any tube out there that has the RCA sound but with more transparency and resolution.

I'm not that familiar with the RCA sound. At this time, my favorite rectifiers are GZ34 - both Mullard and Sittard, U52 - GEC, and 53KU - Cossor. Unfortunately, in today's world, none of these are cheap. The Raytheon RK60/1641 can often be found for not much, and it might be worth a try. And the Mullard GZ32 might be a good deal. And in my amp today is a Chatham / Tung-Sol 5R4WGA (or B or Y), sometimes call a "potato masher", and it sounds good to me.

But I should warn you, my ears are old and worn out, so you shouldn't believe me too much. lol

 

[Designsfx]

I read the review and got the RCA 5U4G smooth plate. The sound is very well balanced but it sounds veiled compared to Genelex GZ34. So I'm wondering if there's any tube out there that has the RCA sound but with more transparency and resolution.

How old I’d your RCA 5U4G? I have one that I believe is WWII era but not certain. I don’t use it in an amp but rather a dac but it sounds really nice. Very rich sound with great low end response.

 

[babyoh]

How old I’d your RCA 5U4G? I have one that I believe is WWII era but not certain. I don’t use it in an amp but rather a dac but it sounds really nice. Very rich sound with great low end response.

1950s RCA 5U4G

 

[gibosi]

How old I’d your RCA 5U4G? I have one that I believe is WWII era but not certain. I don’t use it in an amp but rather a dac but it sounds really nice. Very rich sound with great low end response.

Yours is a 5R4GY, not a 5U4G. I agree that the 5R4GY is a very good tube, but it sounds somewhat different than a 5U4G.

 

[nephilim32]

Hi friends. Has anybody tried the new production tubes, called Cryotone?

https://wathenspeakers.com/store/p137/5AR4-WC_-_V2.html

Very interesting.

 

[CAJames]

I have not used Cryotone tubes myself, but several online friends have. A lot of folks really like them, one liked the 5AR4 as much as his metal base GZ34. But that is FWIW/YMMV and all that.

 

[Saberpunch]

Hi friends. Has anybody tried the new production tubes, called Cryotone?

https://wathenspeakers.com/store/p137/5AR4-WC_-_V2.html

Very interesting.

I bought some Cryotone tube this week from them, but it’s the 5U4G. They told me it’s 3-5 week ETA, so be prepared to wait for a while for the tube if you do go for it.

 

[Designsfx]

Yours is a 5R4GY, not a 5U4G. I agree that the 5R4GY is a very good tube, but it sounds somewhat different than a 5U4G.

You’re right- my mistake there! How would you define the differences between these two and does the 5U4G better the 5R4? I liked the the 5R4 but ultimately ended up going back to my old Globe 80’s.

 

[CAJames]

You’re right- my mistake there! How would you define the differences between these two and does the 5U4G better the 5R4? I liked the the 5R4 but ultimately ended up going back to my old Globe 80’s.

JMO but there isn't a "5U4G sound." I've had lots of different 5U4G and 5Z3s and the sound is all over the map: from soft and dreamy to tight and dynamic. My 5R4GY sounds a lot like a tight and dynamic 5U4G. So what is better really depends on which exact tube you have, the other details of your system and of course what you like.

 

[paradoxper]

Hi friends. Has anybody tried the new production tubes, called Cryotone?

https://wathenspeakers.com/store/p137/5AR4-WC_-_V2.html

Very interesting.

I've been through quite a few of these and don't really care for any. They're all very dry and edged sounding.

 

[jamato8]

I've been through quite a few of these and don't really care for any. They're all very dry and edged sounding.

I have found cryo to help a little with some tubes and a few, it actually made them worse. But the change, IMO, is minimal.

 

[JTbbb]

Gents, I now have my rectifier back and the story/puzzle continues, and I need help to try and identify this tube.

It has been confirmed as being a 3A rectifier.

The oddity is some of the internals look American made, but the getter looks British/European?

Externally the graphics look genuine Marconi. Also, as shown in the last two images a British base has rounded edges whilst an American base has a sharp edge to the base and is recessed.

I believe it could be this tube http://www.r-type.org/exhib/acb0025.htm

Any other ideas?