2. amps-preamps
  3. 176211-171531

5AR4 rectifier tube question

I am sort of shopping for one or more 5AR4s for a Cary SLP05 power supply because I’d like to have at least one spare and because I’d maybe like to roll two or three ad see if I can hear an improvement or vice versa. I make no claims of knowing much about the vacuum tube game; occasionally I get lucky & stumble on something that really works for me. As far as the 5AR4, I did a hit at Uncle Kevin’s site, and there were some that looked interesting (I am thinking of one in particular, it had a Japanese sounding name that started with a ’M’) but when I click on it, all I get is a picture of Uncle Kevin’s screaming face telling me "not to buy tubes" (later, when I finally took time to read, apparently his tube tester is down).

So I started doing hits on Ebay, and oh my gosh! I was inundated with choices and the variation in prices! Which do I stay away from and which should I be interested in? Would a 5AR4 from Bugera also be suitable for what I’d want to use it for? Could a rectifier tube provide a big sonic upgrade if I spent enough money on it? Can I make a sonic upgrade from what I believe (I haven’t opened up the power supply yet) is the stock EH 5AR4 without breaking the bank? I would be totally good with the $50.00 range and picking up 2 or 3 different ones to play with if those with experience thought I could improve the power supply in that range. If I had to I guess I could go more (the $100.00 range) but I probably wouldn’t be buying too many of them, and I was kind of HOPING not to go much over that.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the input; I always consider it part of my education.

immatthewj
rodman99999
6,033 posts
 

                                    Just relax and enjoy the music.

     Its a lot easier to obfuscate issues with a quick A/B comparison, than over the long term.   That, "comfortable and relaxed...feeling", in YOUR listening room, over the long term, is ALL that's important.

      Keep in mind: valves typically take something like 50 hrs of use, before they sound their best.    Some will claim such is a result of ones ears adjusting.   

      This is a verbatim quote, from a letter Brent Jessee sends, whenever one buys valves from him: 

                  "CARE AND FEEDING OF NEW TUBES: BREAK-IN
New tubes need a break-in period before they can fully exhibit their true sonic character when used in audio circuits. Preamp tubes especially benefit from a good break-in. This period may vary widely, but NOS vintage tubes usually need at least 48 hours of use, sometimes up to 100 hours. New current production tubes need 24-48 hours typically.
Good break-in can be accomplished by either leaving your tube unit turned on in a no-signal condition for 2 days, or you can just enjoy the tubes for several hours each evening and they will be broken in after several weeks. New tubes, especially NOS vintage tubes, may sound a bit edgy at first, but after the break-in period will mellow out and sound wonderful."

                                             Enjoy your jams!

rodman99999
6,033 posts
 

 btw: That, "flashing" mentioned is the main component of a tube’s gettering system.

                                         Here’s some info:

                            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Getter

 

immatthewj OP
1,429 posts
 

Thanks!

immatthewj OP
1,429 posts
 

I need to stop visiting ebay when I’ve been drinking; I just won a bid I placed on a Holland Amperex 5AR4. This one was not branded as a Bugle Boy.

avanti1960
1,411 posts
 

4 notch mullards are the ones that sound best. 

no notch sound worst

metal base are very pricey.  

More to discover