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5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tubes

Is anyone currently making a tube of this type that rivals the performance of the best NOS Mullard tubes? I'm surprised that Sophia, Psvane and others appear not to have offered this tube. Suggestions?
128x128dodgealum
wig's avatar
wig
1,268 posts
 
Mofimadness,

Thanks for catching that; more reading material

Wig :o)
isochronism
2,893 posts
 
I believe Wig is thinking of Sylvania Bad Boys
mofimadness's avatar
mofimadness
4,987 posts
 
Iso...nice catch on your part also! Wig is indeed thinking of the Bad Boys since he was using VT231s which are a 6SN7 substitute. I can't believe I missed that. I actually have several pairs of Sylvania Bad Boys. Great tube btw...
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
So, all of this begs the question, which is better the early '40s Sylvania VT-231 or the later early '50s Sylvania 3 hole 6SN7GT? My understanding is that the "badboy" is sonically very similar to the VT-231 but without its bass shyness. So, the question is, is the VT-231 superior in other ways to the "badboy." Air, high frequency extension, smoothness, etc.
wig's avatar
wig
1,268 posts
 
Geoffkait,

Sound wise, they are both very similar but the Bad Boys doesn't have the bloom and extract more details from guitar pics/slaps; they're just more transparent in pulling out the slightest amount of ambiance and details from the recording...

The VT 231 may be a little smoother due to the bloom they project but It's a matter of preference for sure.
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