5AR4/GZ34 Rectifier Tubes

Brownsfan,

Just ordered mine!

Thanks,

My tube arrived today and I have it running in for 3 hours before an initial listen...

Guys,

After running my Gold Lion Genalex for 4 hours, my initial observations are on par with Brownsfan. The GL beat the Create in transparency, lower floor noise and combines dynamics with that rich body we're accustomed to with Mullards. Also, the GL are more precise in image placement and overall sound-staging.

The GL are in for the long haul...

Gold Lion 2, Create Synergy 0. No small accomplishment for GL to beat the create at half the price! Thanks again to Bayreuth for drawing this tube to our attention. Now, if they would just be so kind as to offer a 6SN7 that beats the Sophia!

Definitely a Great find at $40! I still haven't found a 6SN7 that beats my Ken Rad VT 231 but I'd be willing to try some Gold Lion Genalux if they decide to make them...

Wig have you tried the Tung-Sol 6SN7 tubes (old NOS) tubes?

I just purchased the GL 5AR4 and will try it tomorrow in my preamp to see what happens.

OK tried the GL tube today. Not bad for $35. Pretty good resolution, soundstage, etc. Mids are very nice but I would not say tube sounding but more relaxed softer sounding.

Thanks for the suggestions guys.

Happy Listening.

As far as 6SN7's, I own a dozen highly rated nos tubes but none are as good as the synergy / create 6sn7. It has very clear mids and good bass. Next best for me is the 6F8G national or ken rad (with adapters to tie into the top grid). These tubes have a similar clarity but not quite the bass of the create. In my rig, of course.

Should sound better after about 70 hours and I have not had the opportunity to try tungsol.

Wig, letting it burn in. As for the NOS Tung-Sol 6SN7 found or oval plate tubes, they were the most musical 6SN7 tubes I tried. Expensive though. They have a more delicate sound, highs have more air (more floating of images), mids are some of the best that I have heard from a 6SN7, bass is well defined maybe a little softer sounding. Top to bottom just more musical sounding, less overall stress sounding. Also better dimension of soundstage.

Happy Listening.

I tried the Create 6SN7 in my cd player and they weren't close to my W's or Ken Rad VT-231; I'd be interested in the Tungsol if they were available at decent price...

I tried the Create 6SN7s in my Modwright LS100 and they sucked. One of the worst I tried. The 5AR4 (GZ34) from Create is excellent, but their 6SN7 was not a good choice...for me anyway.

Hi Wig,

I just ordered a Gold Lion Genalex Tube from E-bay but it has Cryoset Deep Cryogenic Treatment. Do you have any opinions on this tube and its Cryro treatment? I'm going to use it in my ModWright Sony 5400. Its going to replace my Mullard Blackburn 1972 NOS Tube. Here is the link:

[url]http://www.ebay.com/itm/380760414348?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649 [/url]

Also, I'm using matched pair of Sophia Electric 6SL7 Tubes on my ModWright Sony 5400, which I love totally. I'm very happy with this pair and have no desire to try and roll and compare any more tubes in that category. LOL. :-)

Thanks,
Joe

Joeyboynj,

I haven't any cryo treated tubes but have read it's a mixed bag, some like and some don't.

In regards to 6SN7s, I've tried both Pvane, Sophia and prefer my Ked Rad VT231 by a large margin. Pvane was dark sounding, the Sophia were good with soundstage restriction compared to a true NOS.

Actually, I found the basic Sylvania Chrome Dome to be superior the Pvane or Sophia, but I guess it comes down to preference and system matching...

I'm new to this so I'm still experimenting, but would like some expert advise. So I can start in the correct direction and not waste time and money.

Wig, I have not heard of the Ked Red VT231. Where is the best place to get a pair to try out and even buy? What do I look for? On e-bay? BIG Thanks!

Bigkidz, same question, as for the NOS Tung-Sol 6SN7 Where is the best place to get a pair to try out and even buy? What do I look for? On e-bay? BIG Thanks!

It's actually Ken Rad, not Ked Rad. I have a few pairs of
these and they are indeed nice, however, in my system, the
Shuguang Black Treasure CV-181 "Z" (original
series), was better sounding.

I also like the Sophias a lot, very nice.

Like Wig stated, it really comes down to preferences...

Another positive vote for the new Genalex GZ34/U77 5AR4 rectifier tube. I've bought 4 of these for my amps and the Genalex GZ34 is a splendid sounding tube, especially at the price. The tube is dynamic, quiet, refined. I think this is a great tube for the money.

Happy Listening!

I still have not gotten a solid response. I'm just looking for some help so I don't buy the wrong ones from the wrong place. Much appreciated!!

Wig, I have not heard of the Ken Rad VT231. Where is the best place to get a pair to try out and even buy? What do I look for? On e-bay? BIG Thanks!

Bigkidz, same question, as for the NOS Tung-Sol 6SN7 Where is the best place to get a pair to try out and even buy? What do I look for? On e-bay?

BIG Thanks!

I have two Sylvania 6SN7GT Badboys from '52 and a 1940s Tung Sol 5U4G, both from eBay. Terrific combination. Kind of expensive, nevertheless...

If anyone let's you, "try out" any NOS tubes; you MUST have a VERY GOOD friend(in heaven)! Especially tubes as rare and expensive, as the Tung-Sol roundplates. The bottom gettered Ken-Rad VT231, is not nearly as expensive/sought after, but: still hard to find(a very natural sounding tube): (http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_trksid=p2055119.m570.l1311.R7.TR7.TRC1.A0.Xken-rad+&_nkw=ken+rad+vt231&_sacat=0&_from=R40)

I just got a matched pair of Ken Rad 1942 6SN7GTs on eBay for back up and am planning to send off to cryo lab ASAP. I figure, what the heck, why not?

Joeyboynj,

Like Rodman99999 said, the Tung-Sol are very expensive but you can find them along with Ked-Rads VT 231 and the Sylvania VT 231 are my favorite and be found at Bent Jessee Recording...

Wig

Geoffkait,

Very good! The Ken Rads are very good but if you want more air, dynamics and bass the Sylvania VT 231 are even better...

Wig

Wig, thanks for the info but I am under the impression from what I read on the www that the early Ken Rads are the King of Bass. My current Sylvania Badboys are not bass shy. It is a wee bit peculiar that there are often conflicting opinions on tubes in general, but it is especially odd that it's hard to get consensus on these expensive 6SN7 tubes. You pays your money and you takes your chances.

I acquired a pair of Sylvanias Bugle Boys a few days ago and they're even better than my Sylvanias VT 231; better precision, transparency and captures more low level detail, ambiance and a deeper sound-stage. My VT 231 are woodier/bloomier/thicker in comparison and is easily heard on cellos, violins and guitars, types of music I typically listen to...

That's interesting. Pardon my ignorance, what are Sylvania Bugle Boys?

Geoffkait,

They were manufactured by Bugle Boy around 1952 and have three holes in each plate verses two in typical tubes and sounds phenomenal, a great tube and a good find...

A little clarification. The "Bugle Boy" was a series of tubes that were made by Amperex. There was no company named Bugle Boy.

http://vintagetubeservices.com/page9.html

Mofimadness,

Thanks for catching that; more reading material

Wig :o)

I believe Wig is thinking of Sylvania Bad Boys

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...

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.

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.

Just put my new golden lion genalex in my Modwright power supply. Right out of the box there was an improvement in the base depth. I am using the Sophia's for the Sony ES5400 player and have been toying with the idea of some 40's NOS Sylvania's. Has anyone moved on from the Sophia's?

Goose, I think these Gold Lions are going to be hard to beat based on my experience so far. PSVane claims they have a 6SN7 equivalent that people really like in ModWright gear. One of the ModWright website photos shows an Oppo with the PSVanes. You might give Dan Wright a shout and see what he has to say about them.

Brownsfan I am actually surprised how good the gold lions are. Perhaps there is hope for new stock product. I will need to check out the PSVanes. Thanks for the tip.

Goose,

I had the Sophia's in my system for about a month before I started experimenting with NOS tubes; Sylvania Chrome Dome walked all over the Sophia's but they sold rather quickly.

Also tried the Psvane, too dark for my taste...

Wig, thanks for the suggestion....I will need to check my Sylvania sources. What vintage were the chrome domes...1940's or? Hope you are still enjoy your Crescendo's.

Goose,

I believe they are from the early 50's and my Crescendo's are unbelievable, I'm still amazed each night I fire up the system and being transported to a LIVE performance...

Goose,

Have you upgraded your MW PS to the 9.9? It's s worthwhile upgrade.

I am really curious about the Genalex rectifier tube. I really like the 12AX7's of theirs. Retired all my old 12AX7. Very happy that this might be the tube era?

Wig, I e-mailed Dan at ModWright this week about the upgrade to the PS 9.9 because I was curious since I have the PS 9.0 on a ModWright Sony 5400.

Dan responded with the prices for the upgrade and told me "The new supply, being tube regulated AND tube rectified, adds much greater harmonic content and a broader soundstage. It is a bit warmer and much more 3-dimensional."

I'm sure I will upgrade sooner or later. Sounds like a good upgrade path to me. ;-) Joe

Wig and Goose, some good info!

Goose, I agree on the progress with new production tubes. With the advances in technology over the last half century, plus the fact that people like us are willing to pay high prices for quality tubes, you have to think that eventually we will see tubes that will beat the best nos tubes out there. Perhaps some at reasonable prices like the Gold Lions.

Wig thanks for the heads up on the PSVanes. I've got 2 sets of sophias, so I'm not included to run expensive experiments just yet. Thanks for sharing your experience with the PS 9 upgrade. I will shoot Dan an email and see what the cost is.

Wig...ditto on the advise regarding the power supply upgrade, I will also check in with Dan.

You're Welcome!

Anytime and you guys are awesome!

My Genalex Gold Lion 5AR4 failed within 2 months. I bought a used Amperex Bugle Boy to replace it.

I have some Sylvania 6SN7 GTB brown base mid 1950's coming for my player. I will report out on the sound relative to the Sophia's when I get them. From what I understand, the earlier the tube, the more "chrome" there is in the bottle. If you look at 1960's tubes, just the cap has chrome.

Jazzdrummer, sorry to hear you got a dud. I've got 5 months of steady use on mine with no indication it is starting to go. I guess we will need to keep this thread running to see if others find a short tube life. At $40, if I went through 3 a year it might still be worth it.

A rectifier tube that only lasts 2 months is defective. When speaking with Andy of Vintage Tube Service these should last for years.