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Post subject: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:06 pm
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These are 5V4GA. Philips-ECG, at the end of the 1980's production, to meet military needs "re-labeled" 5V4GA as 5AR4. They did that with several other tubes, too. As re-tooling up to make a few tubes for the Army, Air Force, etc... would have been too $$$$. They prolly figured the tube rectifier was soon to be history, so why not use up they stock of 5V4GA, which were of much less demand.

Now, if your amp is easy on GZ34 (not too much secondary voltage) and not too much mA demands (less than 200mA maxed out).... the Philips "mis-labeled" tube may work fine.

But, ad is bogus in saying both rectifiers are equal to each other. You can get an NOS 5V4GA for a lot less than $60 each.

http://cgi.ebay.com/5AR4-Rectifier-Tube ... 1254519429


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Sat Jun 04, 2011 9:42 pm
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Yeah,The RCA tube manual gives some different specs on each tube,doesn't appear that the description on the auction is correct.
I've seen them before and wondered if they would work.


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Sun Jun 05, 2011 1:25 am
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BMW2002Ti wrote:
Now, if your amp is easy on GZ34 (not too much secondary voltage) and not too much mA demands (less than 200mA maxed out).... the Philips "mis-labeled" tube may work fine.

But, ad is bogus in saying both rectifiers are equal to each other. You can get an NOS 5V4GA for a lot less than $60 each.


+1

The 5V4GA is only good for about 175mA......I wouldn't even trust it in a Vibro Champ.

Why bother with this circle-jerk? There are plenty of decent new-production 5AR4's to be had.

JMO

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:29 am
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Aspiring Musician
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So do the new GZ 34 sound feel any diffrent to the NOS tubes. DO the NOS tube last longer then the new ones. you can spend a lot on a NOS REC tubes like the NOS GZ 34. But if the RI stuff is any good why not save money and use then new GZ 34..Cheers..From..Aus...


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 12:52 am
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Sonically, a rectifier tube is relatively transparent. The key to a good one is durability and reliability since it's the hardest-working bottle in an amp. GZ34/5AR4's from JJ, TAD, and SovTek seem to be pretty decent. Believe it or not, I have an old GT recto in my '93 DRRI that was in the amp when I bought it in '03 and it's still working fine -- it may have even been original to the amp when it was new!

(I should prolly notify those folks at the Guiness Book......)

:lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 6:35 am
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Aspiring Musician
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Hi Thanks for the info on rec tubes. I have used a jj GZ34 in my DRRI amp for three years now and no probs. so why spend all that doe on NOS REC GZ 34 if no sonic diffrents they say you can get many years out of a NOS rec like the Mullard GZ34 but they cost a bomb. But you say a GT 5ar4 can last for years as well.. :? ..Cheers..From..Aus...


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:37 am
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cliff.lee wrote:
But you say a GT 5ar4 can last for years as well.. :?


No, only that the particular GT GZ34 in my amp has. I wouldn't regard such a lengthy stay in an amp to be atypical for Groove Tube bottles.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Mon Jun 06, 2011 10:03 pm
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Ok Thanks for that..Cheers


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 12:34 am
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Just an FYI... I has several early 1970's Sylvania made 5AR4/GZ34. There is a similarity to the eBay ad. But, notice how the method of welding/stapling the anode plates is not shown in the ad. BTW... if you come across any of these real 5AR4 Sylvania tubes, they are every bit as good as the fabled Mullard GZ34. EXCEPT, perhaps the famous metal based mid-late 1950's Philips made ones.

Image


Image

Photo you folks with kids may like:

Image


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:49 pm
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HI nice tubes we have rats bigger than that over hear..LOL..Cheers..From..Aus...


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Tue Jun 07, 2011 8:55 pm
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cliff.lee wrote:
HI nice tubes we have rats bigger than that over hear..LOL..Cheers..From..Aus...


We got big rats here as well, mate.

Many of them serve in our congress.

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Mon Jul 04, 2011 8:24 am
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WTF? This is actually the opposite of what happened (I'm assuming that's what you meant). They are GZ34's labeled as 5V4GA's not the other way around I've been using them since the early 90's in 6L6 and EL34 amps as well as an old Lafayette PA conversion I did where the GZ34 supplies 600v to a pair of EL34's. I don't know this guy at all but there are a ton of legit NOS tube sellers out there selling the same tubes. I have yet to have a problem or hear of any. I've put them in blackface and tweed fenders as well as countless builds of my own. You really need to get your facts straight before you start pointing fingers.

BMW2002Ti wrote:
These are 5V4GA. Philips-ECG, at the end of the 1980's production, to meet military needs "re-labeled" 5V4GA as 5AR4. They did that with several other tubes, too. As re-tooling up to make a few tubes for the Army, Air Force, etc... would have been too $$$$. They prolly figured the tube rectifier was soon to be history, so why not use up they stock of 5V4GA, which were of much less demand.

Now, if your amp is easy on GZ34 (not too much secondary voltage) and not too much mA demands (less than 200mA maxed out).... the Philips "mis-labeled" tube may work fine.

But, ad is bogus in saying both rectifiers are equal to each other. You can get an NOS 5V4GA for a lot less than $60 each.

http://cgi.ebay.com/5AR4-Rectifier-Tube ... 1254519429


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 7:42 am
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Right. And these Chinese made rectifiers Ebay posted tubes carry same specs as any 5AR4. Look, if they worked fine in your amps... no sweat. I've seen ppl put 5Y3GT into 5AR4 amps and have no issues. But, if they were real 5AR4, they sell for a LOT more than $60 apiece. And be sold out in a few days. His ads are still on EBay.

Real NOS Sylvania made 5AR4, even the Matsushita made GZ34 (using old Mullard tooling----with cross-hatched tops) go for $75-100 minimum.

http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-5Z4P-5Z4G-GZ34- ... 43a7f78556


http://cgi.ebay.com/5AR4-Rectifier-Tube ... 5889ea818b


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 9:52 am
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BMW, what do you think of a Sylvania branded Mullard GZ34?


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 "mislabeled" as 5V4GA
Posted: Wed Jul 06, 2011 1:32 pm
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Any branded Mullard made GZ34/5AR4 are good tubes. Look for the Philips code that indicates site of manufacturer and date of manufacturer. These are those small cryptic black letters near the base of each tube. Often they have been rubbed off. You must be familiar with the guts of the tubes (there are about 4 distinct Mullard GZ34 anode types), in order to be sure you are getting a Mullard.

Say you see "f32" on top line and "B7G" on bottom...

Top line is type of tube: "f32 or f33" usually meaning UK or Dutch made GZ34

and second line is date made:

say: "B7G" = 1957 or 1967, Blackburn, UK made ("B") . G = July (A = Jan, etc).

You may see an "xf1 or xf2". This means xf2 = or late small black base. "Xf1" = larger black or brown base. This applies to Blackburn made tubes that went through variety changes. Mullard GZ34 also have xf1,2, and 3 types.

Short list:

http://frank.pocnet.net/other/Philips/P ... ListAB.pdf


Now... The very best GZ34 were the metal based Heerlen, Holland made Miniwatts of the mid-late 1950's. They have their date/tube types stamped on the metal base. I only have a couple of these NOS. As their $$$ is about twice that of a NOS/NIB Mullard EL34 type 1 (xf1).


https://www.tubeworld.com/5ar4m.jpg


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