I sort of remember Uncle Kevin saying (on his site) that Prima Luna had some special 5AR4s that they liked for the Prima Luna Prologue 8 CDP. Are those the only rectifier tubes that they are saying to use with that preamp? If I remember correctly (and it is quite possible that I don't) aren't those 5AR4s for the Prima Luna a bit taller than the average 5AR$?
5ar4 rectifier tube
I’m buying some backup 5ar4’s for my primaluna evo 100 preamp. Upscale audio’s website says the Gold Lion isn’t suitable for this preamp. I like Gold Lion but there’s no explanation why. There’s only one other choice on their site. I also like Upscale audio. Advise is appreciated..
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Info on this is half way down the page in the following link. You might look at Japanese production 5ar4 (Brent Jesse has them for $130/each). https://www.primaluna-usa.com/tube-rolling
DeKay |
george53, First thing you need to do is realize that Uncle Kevin is a salesman, and a business owner. That doesnt mean that he is dishonest, which I dont beleive that he is, but he does steer his customers to what he has on hand. And that isn’t always your best option. Personally, you couldnt pay me to put a Chinese or Russian 5AR4 in anything I own. They are literally a last resort choice. Spend a little more and buy yourself a genuine Mullard GZ-34. It is equivalent to and a direct replacement for 5AR4, for your Prima Luna. They are both 5 Volts, 1.9 Ampere, Half indirect rectifiers. Then your good to go for the next ten years. |
My Allnic phono stage uses this rectifier and I’ve rolled a bunch, including the GEC U52 (both brown and black base) and the Mullard metal base (really a Philips-Miniwatt, Holland), as well as various bakelite Mullards and a bunch of others. There’s a great resource if you look up Dubstep Girl’s Massive 5AR4 Rectifier Shoot-Out. She compares a huge number of different rectifiers (some equipment may not allow for the use of a non-direct "equivalent"). To me, it’s almost like a tone control and the choice I make may not be yours, depending not only on subjective preference, but circuit and system. Old stock rectifiers used to be cheap, not anymore. |
Since Uncle Kevin sells GL 5AR4s I kind of doubt that's why he is advising not to use it in that preamp. |
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