Rectifier tubes/REVIEW of Sovtek 5AR4

[R_ADKINS80]

I know there are lots of loyal JJ GZ34 users here. Has anyone tried the Sovtek 5AR4/GZ34 tubes? The tubestore.com and tubedepot.com both told me that the Sovtek was their most popular 5AR4/GZ34 rectifier. Also the home audiophiles seem to GREATLY favor the Sovtek over the JJ for having a better sound and being less abrassive on the high end. Any thoughts?

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Any thoughts?

:mrgreen: Mullard f31 or f32 types will provide lasting satisfaction.

- Thom

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Yes that may be so.....But they will provide a lasting Dissatisfaction to my wallet lmao. Mullard rec tubes that I have found are in the $65-$100 EACH range. lmao. I do have NOS =C= 5U4G "coke bottle" rec tubes right now but want to try some tighter tube rec sounds and feeling.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

Yes that may be so.....But they will provide a lasting Dissatisfaction to my wallet lmao. Mullard rec tubes that I have found are in the $65-$100 EACH range.

I understand. But buying at the low end of that range (buy a used one that tests new) seems a better long-term use of one's valuable cash, in my opinion. Dare I say, it is a sound investment. 8)

- T

 

[stokes]

You probably wouldnt notice any difference in tone between the 2 you mention,rectifiers are not in the signal chain and have very little effect on the tone.You might notice a difference in attack,if the 2 tubes have voltages that vary enough.Timber Wolf's suggestion is from a reliability/durability thing.Most any NOS rectifier will outlast either of the 2 you mention,Mullards are probably the best in that regard,but you can find other NOS brands that are still heads above the JJ or Sovtek,and are not quite as costly as the Mullard.

 

[Timbre Wolf]

You probably wouldnt notice any difference in tone between the 2 you mention,rectifiers are not in the signal chain and have very little effect on the tone.You might notice a difference in attack,if the 2 tubes have voltages that vary enough.Timber Wolf's suggestion is from a reliability/durability thing.

Yes, it is about durability. But there is also an audible difference. I prefer my late-'50s or early-'60s Mullard f31 or f32 GZ34 for their ability to provide greater clarity and a more lively snap to the feel. This is probably due to measurably reduced voltage drop (higher voltage) with the genuine Mullard. There is also a faster slew rate, which effects the tonal spectrum by allowing low frequencies (which take more power) to be delivered faster. If voltage drops too much, you can really hear and feel lower frequencies lagging in delivery time behind the lower energy higher frequencies.

Funny thing is that you don't have to change rectifier types to hear significant differences between manufacturers. With 5V4G, for instance, RCA's version is much lower voltage, and therefore creates more sag, than Ken-Rad's.

- T

 

[stokes]

Hey,Wolf.I know we've had this discussion before,but what you describe,is exactly what I mean by "attack" or response.To my ear,anything I would describe as tonal differences are very subtle.You certainly have a much more discerning ear than I do.I only hesitate to describe rectifiers as making a "tonal" difference because I think the average guy would be disapointed trying to hear what you hear.After our last discussion on the subject I have taken the time and effort to listen closer,and do agree with your observations,but still find it too subtle tonewise,to definatively describe it as such.A perfect example of "subjectivity",eh?

 

[Timbre Wolf]

A perfect example of "subjectivity",eh?

Sure! Let's leave it at feel, then. :mrgreen:

- T

 

[R_ADKINS80]

Well I went ahead and bought some Sovtek 5AR4 rectifier tubes from Musicians friend since i have their credit card. I got them today and put them in my Triple Rec tonight. MY GOD! These bad little (and I do mean LITTLE) beauties really bring the power to the tubes. Just for refference I always run in tube rec mode and bold for all of my power tubes and the plate current readings with my 5U4G for 6L6/EL34 was 17mA/19mA, respectively. Now with the 5AR4's my current readings are 34mA/40mA respectively. I no longer have to run my 6L6's in EL34 bias setting(was getting them up to 38mA plate current that way) and now my EL34's absolutely slay. I went on page after page of reviews from home audiophile guys that actually preffered this tube over the JJ GZ34 and every NOS variant with the exception of the Mullard "sawtooth" plate GZ34 (which this tube was modeled after) for being the smoothest, most natural sounding rectifier tubes out there today. I can say I have found a new favorite for rectifier tubes. NOS =C='s are going back in the tube case for now.