ampage Tube Amps / Music Electronics	For current discussions, please visit Music Electronics Forum.

ampage archive

Vintage threads from the first ten years

5Y3 or 5U4 in 2x5E3 Bruce Kit

:

8/12/2005 3:36 PM
Jammin' John	5Y3 or 5U4 in 2x5E3 Bruce Kit Why didn't you use a 5Y3 (WY3GT) in your kit ?! Did the 5R4 (WR4)sound better ? Would a 5U4 (WU4GB) sound just as good ? Just wondering.............. I don't own a 5R4........gotta try one ! JJ

8/12/2005 5:47 PM

Bruce /Mission Amps

I've tried every octal base rectifier tube there is in these.
The four "highish" idle current, cathode biased 6V6 power tubes push the 5Y3GT right to its limit and the B+ suffers.
A 5U4 works good too but you have to watch the B+ rail with bigger rectifier tubes as the have less voltage drop across them with light loads.
I like the 5V4GA but its a little soft with 120ma-140ma of curent flowing and the WR4 seemed just about right to keep some of the 5E3 sag tone thing happening.
Main thing with a stiffer B+ rail is to watch the B+ vs idle current and use what ever rectifier tube you want.
I have no problem using a larger value cathode biasing resistor either.
180@10w to 270@10w seems good.

Bruce

8/12/2005 7:29 PM
Jammin' John	Re: 5Y3 or 5U4 in 2x5E3 Victoria I have the Victoria Double Deluxe. I have lots of different kinds of 5U4's,5Y3's,5AR4's My friend is a hi fi freak - these are pulls I've never had a 5R4 in it ! It looks to drop the voltage even more than the 5Y3 or 5U4. Does it sound much different than a 5U4 ? I'll be lookin' for one. Thanks, John

8/13/2005 1:12 PM
Bruce /Mission Amps	5R4 = -67v@250ma 5Y3GT = -60v@125ma 5U4GB = -44v@225ma 5V4GA = -25v@175ma 5AR4 = -20v@225ma Notice the current it takes to create those voltage drops!! Bruce

8/13/2005 2:58 PM

So with a 5R4 you get a BIG voltage drop but you have LOTS of current available.

I was lookin' around and there is this military one that looks real strange..........
Regular width base and then it gets real FAT !

Ever try one ?

5R4WGB Cetron (USA) Tube. Heavy tall vibration resistant base, as formerly used in B52 bombers. Replaces all 5R4 versions... 5R4GY, 5R4GYB, 5R4GYA, 5R4WGT, 5R4WGA and 5R4WGB.

JJ

8/13/2005 3:40 PM
Jammin' John	5Y3 < current Notice the current it takes to create those voltage drops!! Bruce Not much current with a 5Y3 though ! JJ

8/13/2005 3:09 PM
jbrew73	could i assume that at 1/2 the rated current draw you would get roughly 1/2 the voltage drop? or is there more to it than that?

Page 1 of 2