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In Reply to: RE: which new production GZ34/5AR4 to buy? posted by lovetube on June 05, 2012 at 07:08:43
Likewise, with the 5V4/GZ32, old tubes, even good used ones, are the clear winner for longevity. Consider buying any of the new rectifiers and risk blowout within two years; Add the cost of two new tubes plus postage over three to four years, if you are lucky, and you quickly realize that good old stuff is the best bet.
Now, tally your current requirements. You might be able to get by with a 5V4GA instead of a 5AR4; much cheaper. Stay within current limitations, of course.
When I hear of all the failures with new rectifiers, my head spins. Depending on the month/year of manufacture...; are they kidding ? Quality control is amiss these days; certainly. Stick with known quality. Buy good used tubes from reputable sources...
Follow Ups:
Add diodes to the input to take up most of the load so new production will last, especially needed in big amps. It keeps the nice slow warm-up feature the 5AR4/GZ34.It won't hurt the sonics and the newer faster UF4007 diodes may make a noticeable improvement over IF4007 for a few cents more!
If the tube is on a PCB board you can put the diodes in series using heat shrink tubing over the PS transformer secondary B+ leads and even diodes for strength.
Make sure polarity of diodes are correct.
I found this mod 3 yrs ago @ diyaudio by an Engineer Kevin Kennedy whom had been doing it for 10 yrs + with no tube failures after. It's quite popular now.
Lastly it will help the tube last when you have a power failure where it flashes off & on quickly!
Randy
Edits: 06/06/12 06/06/12 06/06/12 06/06/12 06/06/12 06/06/12
I was under the impression that the tube itself blocked switching noise so you didn't even have to use UF4007's in this trick. There is no advantage over using 1N4007's. Maybe someone else could ring in.
Edits: 06/06/12 06/06/12
As UF4007s are about 15 cents each, better (IMO) not having lots of switching noise, to begin with. The difference in the switching noise dept. is substantial between UF400n and the corresponding 1N400n parts.
Eli D.
Right, can't go wrong for the little extra money.
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