2. amps-preamps
  3. 175372-13968

Is rectifier tube arcing a problem?

I did some research and couldn’t find a definite answer.  I have an amp that I tried 6 different pairs of 5U4G and 5U4GB. 3 pairs has arcing (RCA 5U4G, TungSol, Svetlana 5C3S) and 3 pairs don’t (RCA 5U4G with hanging filament, EH 5U4GB, Sylvania 5931).  I took the amp to a technician and he checked everything, he can’t find anything wrong.  The problem is, I like the sound of the TungSol and Svetlana which both have arcing.  The technician said it is ok to keep using them, but honestly I am not too comfortable.  But I like their sound.  Is it really ok to keep using the arcing tubes?  Will it damage the amp?

 

 

gte357s

Showing 3 responses by pesky_wabbit

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

Can this be a reason of causing the arcing? 

No.

as long as your amp is fused correctly you shouldn‘t suffer catastrophic consequences due to rectifier failure. The fact that they are arcing does tend to suggest that they are on the way out. Sounds like the Tung Sol you bought was a dud. All assuming your tech is competent.

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

psu. caps should have bleeder resistor that only takes few seconds to lower charge

pesky_wabbit's avatar
pesky_wabbit
1,183 posts
 

get new ones of the specified type

5U4‘s are definitely on the upper spectrum of the ruggedness stakes for commercial rectifiers, so I don‘t think they are the problem..

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