gibosi
Headphoneus Supremus
- Joined
- Oct 18, 2012
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In my opinion, the GE 5654, GE 5654W and GE 5Star 5654 are all the same tube. GE did not manufacture multiple versions of the 5654. The 5654 was designed to be more shock and vibration resistant than the 6AK5 for use in severe operating environments, such as in an industrial factory setting or the military theater.
Again, in my opinion, the differences the reviewer heard are largely due to the fact that these tubes were very likely manufactured at different times. For example, in my experience, a tube manufactured in 1950 will often sound slightly different compared to tubes manufactured in the same factory in 1955, 1960 or 1965.
Over the years, the materials and processes used in the fabrication of vacuum tubes changed and as a result, the sound also changed. In the beginning, when tubes were state-of-the-art, changes were made to improve their performance. But towards the end of the tube era, changes were made to reduce costs. And since the 5654 was not designed for use as an audio amplifier, it is impossible to predict how these changes might play out in an audio circuit.
So again, in my opinion, the fact that the reviewer did not specify the date of manufacture makes his review relatively worthless. We do not know precisely which tubes he evaluated.
My advice: Obtain several GE 5654, ranging from the earliest, around 1948, to the latest, around 1980, and judge for yourself which sound best in your system.
Again, in my opinion, the differences the reviewer heard are largely due to the fact that these tubes were very likely manufactured at different times. For example, in my experience, a tube manufactured in 1950 will often sound slightly different compared to tubes manufactured in the same factory in 1955, 1960 or 1965.
Over the years, the materials and processes used in the fabrication of vacuum tubes changed and as a result, the sound also changed. In the beginning, when tubes were state-of-the-art, changes were made to improve their performance. But towards the end of the tube era, changes were made to reduce costs. And since the 5654 was not designed for use as an audio amplifier, it is impossible to predict how these changes might play out in an audio circuit.
So again, in my opinion, the fact that the reviewer did not specify the date of manufacture makes his review relatively worthless. We do not know precisely which tubes he evaluated.
My advice: Obtain several GE 5654, ranging from the earliest, around 1948, to the latest, around 1980, and judge for yourself which sound best in your system.
