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Vintage threads from the first ten years

Current batch of 5AR4s

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4/30/2003 4:29 PM
Winnie Thomas	Current batch of 5AR4s I am thoroughly disgusted with the 5AR4s currently being offered. The "Chian" and Sovetks in particular. I've had a 50% fail rate lately. I'm probably gong to sell my amps with SS plug ins and let customers buy NOS 5AR4s if they really want one. Winnie

4/30/2003 6:22 PM
Anthony Noel	Where are you getting them from Winnie? I've had almost a dozen "China" tubes from Magic Parts (Ruby branded selects, not from the "No Frills" bunch.) and have not had any trouble with them. I don't know if Magic Parts does any testing on the ones that they brand or not. Never tried any of the Sovtek or any others that New Sensor or Mojo sells. But my Ruby experience has been good.

4/30/2003 10:32 PM
marrk	I'm using a Chinese 5AR4 from Triode. I can hear the spacers rattle if I tap on it. It works fine otherwise. Mark

5/2/2003 6:04 AM
Josh	Everyone: Try the new JJ 5AR4.....it is far superior to the china/russian crap currently out there. They are extremely well built, and reliable. IMO they are very close to NOS stuff. Josh

5/5/2003 2:26 AM
Winnie Thomas	Anthony, I get the "CHIAN" ones from Angela, I bought a pair of Sovteks from Parts Express. I may try the new JJ Tesla tubes but I'm more inclined to use Weber copper caps. I make my own SS plug ins out of octal sockets. Winnie

5/1/2003 12:51 PM
tom pierce	how aboout the weber copper caps I've yet to blow them up (although I have a bud in cali who claims he has..) certainly cheap enough and does the job...and heck your cust may never need another! tom

5/2/2003 12:28 AM

My best amp ( Victoria 35210 ) has a Weber GZ34 Copper Cap. My FrankenChamp has the 5V4. If I didn't have a bunch of various NOS rectifier tubes I'd probably use C-caps exclusively and never look back.. The PT really does run cooler, and the sag is right ( The only sample of the GZ34 that I have actually drops B+ a wee bit more than advertised. Since the variables of amp design effect this, YMMV.. Mine is perfect for the Vicky! ).. my next purchase will be one of the 2xGZ34's for a Plexi Clone..

At 15 bucks each they are an amp builder/band tech's friend.

Bill

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