**FLASH FLASH FLASH** :FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFTTTTT:

[YellowJacket]

:shock:

So, I powered up my Recto, saw a few blue flashes come from the back of it and then the fuse blew.

I switched out the rectifier tubes, put in a new fuse, and it was working fine. I 'thought' the flashes were coming from one of the rectifier tubes but it is entirely possible that the power tubes are to blame. Since I was in front of the amp, I did not have time to see what was actually happening in the back.

I have a pair of STR454 (I think they are rebadged NOS tubes of some sort) and a pair of STR425s which are 5881s. Both sets are easily over 5 years old but they have not had a tonne of use yet.

I'm thinking of replacing a pair of power tubes just to be safe, I just like the sound of the combination I have in there right now. The 5881s really smooth out the tone and the 6L6s add sweetness.

thoughts...

 

[R_ADKINS80]

the 454's are =C=

 

[domct203]

The STRs are indeed =C=, but from the original Svetlana plant and are no longer made.

I believe the current SED =C= is made on some of the original Svetlana equipment, and are said to perform similar, but not exact clones.

Dom

 

[YellowJacket]

Ya, those STR454's are some awesome sounding tubes AND I suspect it is one of that duet that is failing. If I had known what these things were, I would have filled my whole tube case full of them!!! The 5881s are much more mellow with a really tapered high end. It does wonders to kill fizz. So far, I picked up a set of STR 440s which I can use to try and isolate the problem. Student budget means that I can barely even afford these things.

 

[R_ADKINS80]

The 454 are true =C= tube made in the same plant on the same equipment. Only thing that is different is the 454 was made under the old Svetlana name before they changed to the SED name. There is no difference.