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I have had a Cary SLP-05 pre-amp for about 5 years. I got it as a demo from a local shop. They said they had changed the 6SN7s but I did not think they changed the rectifier tube. Since I have had it it has been on pretty much continuously. It recently blew a fuse so I decided to change the rectifier tube. I got a new production Mullard GZ34. When I took the Cary apart I was expecting to find a Ruby or EH tube, but found a RCA tube labelled 5AR4 GZ34 USA (separate lines) on one side and RCA A3B on the other. The 3 is a little fuzzy, but I think that is what it is. The writing is gray. It has a black base which says USA on the bottom. It is taller than the Mullard that I replaced it with and it just barely fits in the Cary. Anyone have any information on this tube? I'll also check with the original shop to see if they remember. I am just curious to what I have been listening to for the last 5 years.
The new tube has more attack and better bass, so I am happy with the change.
Thanks for any info.
Follow Ups:
RCA did sell some relabeled Sylvania 5AR4s. These would be physically "fat" tubes. Photos?
Looks a lot like this tube, so I think you are correct that it is a Sylvania tube. Hope this link comes through.
When was this produced?
Thanks.
Sylvania (later known as Philips ECG) made this tube until the mid- or late 1980s. I'm not sure when they started making 5AR4s, but I don't recall seeing any made prior to the 1970s. Very late in the tube timeline, but they're good tubes.
Thanks for the information. The shop I bought the pre-amp from must have installed the RCA tube before I bought it. I know the owner has an interest in NOS tubes. Listening to the new Mullard shows me that the RCA tube was past its prime. The question then becomes whether I can push the performance even further with other 5AR4 tubes.
I am listening to some old Bill Evans vinyl that I recently digitized as 2x DSD. The digitized vinyl with my revitalized pre-amp sounds awesome.
Thanks for the help.
There were Sylvania/Philip ECG 5AR4 mil spec tubes that were mislabeled 5VA4GA. These are 5AR4 tubes. Very good ones. I like them, a lot.
Edits: 05/01/15
Any thoughs on how would that compare in sound to my new production Mullard? They seem to be cheaper probably because they are mis-marked.
I've been using a Philips ECG 5AR4 (mislabeled as 5V4GA) in my 1971 Fender Vibrolux Reverb, for 2 years now. Very strong, tough tube. Good transients, like NOS Mullard GZ34. No problems, at all. I highly recommend this tube.
Edits: 05/02/15
The tube is certainly larger than the Mullard I replaced it with.
Looks like image uploads are broken.Check the photos here. Perhaps you'll spot one that looks like your tube:
http://www.tubemongerlib.com/gallery2/v/GZ34/
Edits: 05/01/15
Testing image upload (random image from my PC).
Never posted pictures before. Lets see how this works.
Try Again. Smaller size.
Any suggestions? These are standard jpeg and I just used the Upload Image option.
Doesn't seem like the UPLOAD IMAGE link is working. Do you have a online media site, like PhotoBucket? You can link and paste images from these sites.
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