Genalex GL GZ-34 Rectifier...Did I just get a bad one? Five months seems


like a terribly short lifespan. I bought it in May and spent the extra money to get a "good" tube. It sounded good while it lived. But it went in a fiery inferno last weekend.  Fortunately it only took out a fuse.

It was running in a Bob Latino VTA ST-70 Dynaco amp. It's a great amp but runs the rectifier a bit hard from my understanding. However the original tube lasted at least 3-4 yrs IIRC. I tried a SS rectifier. YUK!! I put the tube (a spare Sovtek) back in place I've had good luck with the KT-66 Genalex GL's and they have a good reputation (I think). Is this just the luck of the draw. IOW, even a new tube can have a short life span? Or is this odd? Is there any way to avoid it? I'd buy another Gennalex GL if it will last. But I can buy 2 Sovteks for the price of one GL. Sovtek sounds good too.

FWIW, The tube that failed was cryo treated. Could that make a difference in a rectifier tube? As always, Thanks for your help.
artemus_5

Showing 5 responses by hifiman5

@artemus_5 You didn’t mention where you sourced your Gold Lion from. I have had great success with Gold Lions sourced from Cryoset. I have been using their 12AU7’s for many years with great results and long life. I just recently replaced the 5AR4 rectifier tube in my SACD player power supply with a Gold Lion GZ34 from Cryoset. I also added a Herbie’s Audio Lab HAL-O III-30 Stabilizer to the GL. The sound is a bit warmer than what I was getting with the Sovtek and the soundstage has opened up a bit. All is good. If you haven’t tried Cryoset, you may at least want to give Ron Sheldon a call and discuss your situation with him.

Good luck!
@artemus_5  Good point about the thermal issues with a hot running rectifier.  I leave my system on 24/7 so there is no thermal shock experienced by the tube.
@artemus_5  I leave all of my components charged up 24/7.  I have tubes in my line stage, SACD player and SACD player power supply.
@artemus_5   In light of the fact that you only had the GL tube for 5 months, I think Ron at Cryoset would like to know about the tube's failure and may work with you on a replacement.  Can't hurt to call and see what he says!

Please update after you check in with him.  I would be interested in his reaction to a premature failure.
@wolf_garcia   Good to hear that Gold Lion GZ34 has been working well for you.  I am not, by the way claiming anything mystical about cryogenic treatment.  Once I stopped using NOS Mullards that got noisy quickly in my circuit, I happened to try the Cryoset Gold Lions and had consistently good performance from them that I'm not questioning a good thing.  I am currently using a pair of NOS Tung Sol 5687 in my SACD player sourced from the Tube Depot.  So far so good with them too!