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TUBE HELP with 5AR4 Rectifier

I just picked up a Tube Phono Preamp which uses a 5ar4 Rectifier tube...
I have (3) to choose from and would like to know which would work the best in the unit..

SOVTEK
RUBY
JJ

I know there are some really nice rectifier tubes out there but these are what I have to work with now...and I do wish I had some Phillips Miniwatts to try.
Your input is appreicated
dgordonl
bdgregory
1,710 posts
 
Swapping rectifier tubes will often affect the sound of your amp as much as outputs or drivers/phase splitters.

this has been my experience too.

.
dgordonl OP
128 posts
 
Thanx for some of your suggestions....Right now I am using the RUBY(chinese) which sounds really nice..
I contacted Kevin at Upscale and ordered up a Japanese 5ar4/gz34 which is a copy of the Mullard.... Should be here on Thursday and will give it a try..Seems to be a likeable tube to some tastes according to user chats...
markus1299
252 posts
 
I happened on a Philips MiniWatt GZ34 and sceptically installed it in my Cary SLP05 and was really surprised at the difference it made. Quieter, sharper images and a tad warmer
hotsauce
108 posts
 
(Low voltage = mellower, less aggressive)
-10v 5Y3
0 5R4, 5R4-G
+15v 5U4-G
+15v 5U4-G, -GA, -GB [G=800ma-max, GA=900ma-max, GB=1000ma-max]
+20v GZ32 (Mullards own, 5V4 substitute)
+25v 5V4
+25v 5V4-G
+25v 5V4-GA
+45v 5AR4 / (GZ34)
(Higher voltage = Dynamic, more aggressive)

John C.
hyperreal's avatar
hyperreal
14 posts
 
I think you've got a really good tube with the Ruby. The nice thing with Ruby was that they rigorously tested their tubes so they're really consistent. If I remember right, Ruby is no longer in production, so JJ is the next best option.
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