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Post by fuzzkarl on Feb 6, 2007 13:12:55 GMT -7
any thoughts?
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Post by iggs on Feb 6, 2007 14:11:03 GMT -7
One of those mislabeled JAN/Phillips 5AR4 that Mike has at KCA NOS.
Or ... get a Valvo 5AR4 from Mike, bit more dough but it sounds great, touch more voltage and a touch less sag then the Phillips.
Mullard's always nice but ... well, you know ... $$$$$$$
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Post by fuzzkarl on Feb 6, 2007 14:27:17 GMT -7
Thanks that looks like the way to go. What tonal difference have you noticed with the recto change?
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Post by iggs on Feb 6, 2007 14:48:19 GMT -7
I compared the stock Sovtek the amp came with and a JJ GZ34 and the amp opened up a bit with the JJ and seemed less compressed and not as "dark" sounding. Then I got the Phillips from Mike and oh boy ... what a difference, the amp just came alive! When compared to the Sovtek the amp is quite muddy and lifeless ... and I thought the amp sounded great as-is before the recto change!!!
The Valvo has a slight edge over the Phillips but not by much, I wouldn't say it sounds much better, just a bit tighter and a hair more headroom.
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Post by mward on Feb 6, 2007 15:23:49 GMT -7
You guys!! Cut it out! I just ordered one. Thank God I can hide it in the amp.
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Post by kledbet on Feb 6, 2007 16:42:29 GMT -7
The mislabeled Philips from Mike is great, it has a little more sag than a Mullard gz34. If you can pick up a used Mullard on ebay for around 40-70 depending on age. They last almost 30 years so its not like you will need to buy a bunch. The Mullard is more focused than the Philips, so it will just depend on the sound you want. There really aren't any great current crop of rectifier tubes.... most of them seem to die or cause problems in 2-3 years of use. Anyway my two cents is buy one mislabeled 5AR4 from Mike and a used Mullard on ebay..... now go play :-)
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