|
Post by rockroll on Jun 7, 2021 14:10:02 GMT -7
I have a Dr. Z MOZ Senior 38 with a 5AR4 rectifier.
What is a good replacement for the 5AR4 to get more Sag in the amps dynamics?
Thanks.
Eddie.
|
|
|
Post by "Z" Steve on Jun 7, 2021 14:25:56 GMT -7
Good 5AR4's are getting hard to find and they are expensive. A Sovtek 5AR4 is what typically comes with the Maz series Z amps but you can use a good quality 5v4 or 5Y3 to get more SAG, but it will change your volume and tone slightly (if I remember correctly). When I had a Maz 38 and 18 and I tried those options with good results. Scroll through this thread for more info. ztalk.proboards.com/thread/6263/on-tube-rectifiersWelcome to the forum!
|
|
|
Post by LT on Jun 7, 2021 14:33:36 GMT -7
I stick to Doc's recommended tubes (although I have gone with NOS versions of the same tube(s)). So I don't have much experience in tube substitution.......I mainly responded to also welcome you to the forum Eddie!
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jun 9, 2021 20:12:34 GMT -7
I don’t think a 5V4 or 5Y3 will be suitable for the 38 watt Maz 38. They can’t provide enough current for that big of an amp. The 5U4 would be a better choice.
Or you could stick with the 5AR4 and run the maz on a variac at 100-110v.
|
|
|
Post by headshrinker (Marc) on Jun 9, 2021 20:45:54 GMT -7
A 5V4 can handle 4 EL84s. I've done it and had no problems. The 5Y3 can't.
|
|
|
Post by jhen86 (jordan) on Jun 10, 2021 9:02:00 GMT -7
A 5V4 can handle 4 EL84s. I've done it and had no problems. The 5Y3 can't. I stand corrected. Learned something new. Seeing as DRZ has liked this post, that's a green light. ^^^
|
|
|
Post by zpilot on Jun 13, 2021 8:54:10 GMT -7
A 5U4 will give you the MOST sag of any applicable rectifiers. It wouldn't be my choice though as I like the amp with a 5AR4. I tried a 5v4. The difference was hardly noticeable to me. Not worth the cost of the tube to try it out for sure. A 5U4 WILL be a noticeable difference. Again, not my first choice though.
When I rebuilt my SF Princeton Reverb to Blackface specs one of the first things I did was change the 5U4 to a 5AR4 which was what was originally used in those amps. It made a major difference in how the amp reacted when pushed.
|
|
|
Post by easyed on Jun 14, 2021 16:30:18 GMT -7
You might try a 5R4 rectifier. They are all old stock but even the NOS are less expensive than the Sovtek 5AR4.
The 5R4 pulls the same heater current (2 Amps) as a 5AR4, but has a greater voltage drop. I got mine from Tube Depot. If you send me a small USPS flat rate box (prepaid) I'll send you the tube.
|
|