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Post by kidmagic on Mar 9, 2009 13:11:23 GMT -7
Hi - I'm looking to upgrade my rectifier tube in my z-28 to a Mullard 5ar4. But I don't know much about this stuff and I'm trying my best to purchase a decent tube off ebay. I have a few questions I'd love some advice.
1. There doesn't appear to be a standard for testing tubes except they compare them to a minimum - could be 40, could be 800, whatever. Many tubes appear to score 20-50% higher readings than the minimum, so is that what I should be looking for?
2. Does "Balance" or matched sides matter?
3. DD getter, or OO getter - what does this mean, what's the difference, is either better for my purpose?
4. anything else I should be looking for or know about?
Thanks!
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Post by Lefty on Mar 9, 2009 13:51:15 GMT -7
Save yourself some guess work and get a NOS rectifier from www.kcanostubes.com you may pay more but you know you'll get the real deal and Mike is a great guy.
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Post by benttop (Steve) on Mar 9, 2009 17:30:11 GMT -7
+1! Call Mike! It doesn't matter what they say on eBay you have no way of knowing if that tube is really what they are saying it is. And by the way, if someone is telling you their rectifier has matched sides, run for the exit as fast as you can. The rectifiers we're interested in for Z amps have just one rectifier in there - there is no such thing as matched sides for those.
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Post by kidmagic on Mar 10, 2009 8:51:24 GMT -7
Save yourself some guess work and get a NOS rectifier from www.kcanostubes.com you may pay more but you know you'll get the real deal and Mike is a great guy. I've explored the KCANOSTubes route, and the only Mullard 5ar4's Mike has in stock are listed at $185, or $255. That's just too much. I can't believe everyone on ebay is a crook - many of these people sell hundreds of tubes and they are receiving 99.9% positive feedback. Tubes seem to be one those things that its almost impossible to get good information off the Web, so I was just hoping that someone out there knows a little and can share some info.
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Post by Lefty on Mar 10, 2009 10:22:01 GMT -7
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Post by heynewguy (Ol’ Bill) on Mar 11, 2009 13:43:13 GMT -7
The mislabled 5AR4 is a real nice tube for reasonable money. I have them in my Maz 18 and Maz 38. Got the from Mike at KCA NOS tubes.
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Post by Phil (aka Phil) on Mar 12, 2009 4:41:30 GMT -7
I'm an "old tube" guy... I've been into tubes practically my whole life and also have an antique (vacuum tube) restoration/repair/collecting hobby in addition to building/fixing/tweaking tube amps. My opinion is this: I would never buy tubes from Ebay or any other source that I don't trust. It's like buying a pig in a poke, or as I say (borrowing from Forrest Gump): "buying tubes is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're getting". I see guys at ham radio conventions and guitar shows buying tubes and I wonder how they know the tubes have any life left or work at all. I just stick to the reputable vendors like Doug's Tubes and KCA NOS and I know what I'm getting. Just my .02.
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Post by DRZ on Mar 12, 2009 4:53:37 GMT -7
I'm an "old tube" guy... I've been into tubes practically my whole life and also have an antique (vacuum tube) restoration/repair/collecting hobby in addition to building/fixing/tweaking tube amps. My opinion is this: I would never buy tubes from Ebay or any other source that I don't trust. It's like buying a pig in a poke, or as I say (borrowing from Forrest Gump): "buying tubes is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you're getting". I see guys at ham radio conventions and guitar shows buying tubes and I wonder how they know the tubes have any life left or work at all. I just stick to the reputable vendors like Doug's Tubes and KCA NOS and I know what I'm getting. Just my .02. +1000000 My feelings exactly. DR.Z
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Post by kidmagic on Mar 16, 2009 9:32:53 GMT -7
Ok - thanks guys. And Lefty, great link, I have no idea how I missed the ANOS Mullard tubes for $85! Seriously, I completely missed those some how!?!?!?
I actually already have the mislabeled JAN philips tube (purchased from Mike) in my 6545 - great tube, but I was looking specifically for the Mullard because it has been said to be tighter (less sag) than the JAN philips - which I'd love to try.
OK thanks for the advice guys, guess i just needed it pounded in..
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