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Re: Philips Miniwatt metal base GZ34 from Micronetics.

53.122.34.115

Posted by newtofrum on August 16, 2002 at 00:59:07

In Reply to: Re: Philips Miniwatt metal base GZ34 from Micronetics. posted by George P. on August 15, 2002 at 14:34:45:

I also purchased these tubes from Micronetics. I purchased more than a pair. Four of them have what I consider a 'thin' ( sparsely applied ) getter coating ( the silver flashing ) at the top of the tube. You can see the filaments glowing through this, and it looks 'burnt' around the edges. I accept some pre run in testing from Phillips, but compared to the other tubes I recieved ( I bought 10 ), these four look like they got the short end of the production 'stick' when it came time to spray the getter material in the top of the tube, OR, it has flaked off in places ( a more seriuos condition I would think ). When the tubes are plugged in and the filaments are lit, it looks as if there are dozens of pinholes in the getter, and the filaments can be viewed glowing brightly. Not a nice, consistent and shiny getter, but burnt looking with definite pinholes in it.
The other six are perfect in comparison - a thick getter coating with no pinholes, and not burnt looking.
So, in comparison to some Mullards I have, the Mullards ( I have 8, various production dates, some new, some used ) all have thick, shiny getter coatings with no pin holes.
I do have one other older Phillips GZ34, that has got to be 45 years old, and well used by the looks of it ( a freind told me it came out of old test equipment that was used regularly ) exibits the same pinhole, burnt looking and sparse getter. It still works good.
So, I have not contacted Micronetics over these tubes since they test as good as the others, and the sound, if there is a difference, is not noticeable to my ears. I don't intend on sending them back, or even questioning the seller, since I firmly beleive in the ethics of the seller ( looking at back posts on this forum about Micronetics is shocking - so much mistrust ), and that these are indeed 100% NOS.
I have only decided to post my findings to indicate that whenever you are buying anything that is/was mass produced, there can definitely be variations in batch runs on the old assembly line.
I would like to hear from others who bought these tubes, and other tubes from other sourvces, to see if they find the same variations in getter coatings ( or crooked plates, or ? ). Perhaps this can help dispell some of the myths over the absolute superiority of one brand ( telefunken? ) over another brand ( GE? ).
Thanks for listening, and Micronetics is an honest vendor offering good service and reliability in my experience. Nice guy to talk to as well.
Cheers

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