Is the Shuguang 5AR4 any good?

OP:

Sent you a PM via the A’Gon system with a few personal insights regarding your query.

It can be accessed by clicking on your account, going to "dashboard" and then to "messages".

Considering the current "frenzy" currently going on regarding purchasing tubes I felt it best to keep the advice (good/bad) private and such does not involve selling items (just advice based upon past experience).

PS:

Forgot to mention the (48) vacuum packed 6oz bricks of our favorite espresso coffee I purchased early last year (codes dates good for the end of 2023) and the 21+ pairs of the original Columbia ROC trousers I purchased on closeout in 2011/2012 (still have 6+ new in the original packaging and I'm hard on clothing).

Just took a coffee inventory and we have 19 bricks left.

DeKay

Here's an old thread on your pre -w- supposed advice from Cary in regard to what/what not rectifier type to use (5R4 is not recommended).

DeKay

Buy real old production Mullard/Philips GZ34’s (or two) from a reputable tube dealer before they become unobtainable @ sane prices.

Seen them recently in the $150-$200+ range.

Don’t fret about metal base et cetera as they all sound good and last if properly tested (even the early 70’s production).

Aside from Mullard/Philips I have a few 1983 Sovtek’s and much earlier Japanese 5ar4’s that sound good and are reliable, but that boat passed years ago as I purchased them NIB way back then.

Used Mullard GZ34’s 10-15 years ago in HiFi gear that were from guitar amps that I owned in the mid 1960’s on, as well as some from Dynaco gear that I purchased in the mid 1970’s.

PS:

I used them in Pilot 232/240 amps, which run the crap out of the rectifier/GZ34.

DeKay

What I tried to say was save money in the long run and purchase one (or two) properly tested, widely liked for their sonics and reliable old production tubes while they are still available @ sane prices.

Though my favorites have been Mullard and Amperex, the Sovteks (correction - they are 2003 production/not 1983) and the Japanese GZ34's sounded just as good (a tiny bit lighter/thinner in my amps - I prefer fuller).

The Sovtek production I purchased came out shortly after they were panned for producing unreliable GZ34's.

My tube testers TV-7/539C did not seem to properly test GZ34's as they always tested pretty close to spec until they suddenly did not (same thing when testing 12ax7's).

Don't know how the good tube dealers test them, but assume that they are using different/better test equipment.

I have enough tubes to last a few lifetimes, but recently purchased 5 pairs of Converse/Chuck/Vietnam tennis shoes and 12 pairs of Polo striped cotton pajama pants (70% off on the pants and $45/pair for the shoes) as supplies are drying up and/or are now gone @ reasonable prices.

I spend money to save money.

DeKay