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Post subject: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:20 am
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during a power tube swap on my DRRI, I noticed the ruby 5ar4 that came stock with it had a terrible rattle to it.

are there any currently made 5ar4's that are decent ?

I really don't want to have to get into a bidding war over a nos mullard or something along those lines.

what really bugs me is all of the old USA made ones i had in boxes that i sold off a few years ago, ARGHHHHHH!!!!!!

Anyone had any good eperiences with whats being made today ?

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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:43 am
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Might try this:

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph ... gory_id=26

At $16.00, if it is no good its no big chunk out of your pocket. :D

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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 7:58 am
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one vote for the jj so far

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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 3:00 pm
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By "rattle" do you mean you can hear it through the amp like a microphonic preamp tube? I've got two Mesa-Boogie branded GZ34/5AR4's of unknown origin that rattle if I shake them, but they sound fine and function well in my amp even at high volume.

If you can hear the rattle through the amp then yeah that is a big problem. I haven't tried JJ's rectifiers but I've heard nothing but good things about them lately.

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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 4:26 pm
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there is a buzz that is not a pre-amp or power tube when I play.

It is very light, but I hear it.

And yes when i was replacing the power tubes yesterday i pulled the 5AR4 and the tube rattles like crazy when you lightly shake it, cant be a good thing.

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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 5:35 pm
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bluesky636 wrote:
Might try this:

https://ssl.eurotubes.com/cart/index.ph ... gory_id=26

At $16.00, if it is no good its no big chunk out of your pocket. :D

+1

That's what I ended up with, no more rattles. That Ruby tube rattled the first time I turned on my brand new DRRI at home! I picked up a GT 5AR4 from the local GC for a quick fix but I don't recall why I replaced it with the JJ tube, probably cause it rattled too...


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Posted: Wed Dec 15, 2010 8:16 pm
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JJ it is then !
Thanks

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 5:22 pm
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I sure found a lot of guys that had big troubles with the JJ 5AR4's also.
the stupid GT A.K.A Ruby that came stock in my DRRI is buzzing like a bee.
and vintage 5AR4's are crazy $60 to $200 for NOS YIKES !!!!

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Thu Dec 23, 2010 6:02 pm
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I installed a JJ GZ34 (5AR4) in my new 5E3 Deluxe build and it seems good so far in that amp, no issues to report, I picked up a second one for a spare as well.

Give the JJ a try.

Snowy.


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Sat Dec 25, 2010 7:46 am
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http://www.boiaudioworks.com/rectifier

scroll down to 5R4WGB JAN NOS

good one - no vibrate or buzz!

MERRY CHRISTMAS to EVERYBODY
God Bless~

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 8:50 pm
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Just installed the JJ and it fixed all of the problems i was having, no buzz and some of the shrillness seems to have gone away.
I believe the original rectifier was junk !

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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:22 pm
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Rock On Mate!! 8)


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Mon Jan 03, 2011 9:24 pm
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Of all the newly made rectifiers (manufactured after 2009), the ones that have given me the least issues are hand-selected Shuguang 5AR4 [It really hurts me to say this, too]. Hand-selected is the key and worth an extra $5-10, IMHO.

I have had some issues with new JJ 5AR4. A couple shorted out on me. And when rectifiers short, it's usually a spectacular event! Sovteks should be bought from someone that test them for strength (therefor tested in an amp and NOT in a typical tube tester).

As for my own amps or for those that don't mind spending a little more $$$, I have a stash of Mullard GZ34's. Or if the amp can handle the change out (and most old 6L6GC Fender amps can), I go to NOS US made 5U4GB's.

As in the words of the great Clash: "This was a public service announcement" so take it with a grain of salt.

http://thetubestore.com/5ar4.html


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Post subject: Re: 5AR4 rectifier tube (a good one)
Posted: Tue Jan 04, 2011 6:40 am
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I have heard both sides of the JJ 5AR4 story, several who have had nothing but good to say and several who have haed JJ's have a meltdown.

My stash of NOS is down to a bunch of 12AX7's 12AT7's ect.... all of the power tubes and rectifiers went into various amps that now belong to someone else.

I'll be on the lookout for vintage tube organs and stereos in my area being trashed or given away (great source for tubes) !

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