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Cary SLP-05 - rectifier tube questions

Hey All,

Several days ago, my 05 began to blow all the fuses (HiFi Tuning tweak ones too.. damn it!) and wouldn't power up. I found out that it was the rectifier tube that was blown and I swapped it out for a local 5AR4 tube that I found at my neighborhood Guitar Center.

Swapped it in and VOILA! Music again!

ONLY... this time, it sounded different - imaging wasn't as clear, there was a "dirty background" to it all, the voices didn't respond the way it used to from my memory when I turned the volume up, the stage was set further back behind speaker plane...

I am using Martin Logan Summits which are ruthlessly revealing of any upstream component.

So I began suspecting that there was a change and it might be because of the crappy rectifier tube that I just swapped in. A search on audiogon and many other forums seemed to validate my opinion and that rectifier tubes DO change the sound! I didn't know that! So I had NO bias going into this...

So now, I'm in search of the perfect 5AR4 rectifier tube.... a lot recommend the Mullards, but are there any other recommendation for tubes that are not so overly pricey?

The Cary 05 uses only 1 5AR4, so in that sense, I'm lucky I won't have to buy a pair...

Help me out, thanks!
joey_v
dgordonl
128 posts
 
I ask Cary techs about using the SS rectifier and they stated:
I have been asked this question several times. I would advise
against the use of any ss rectifiers with our products. Thank you for your inquiry and
support. Have an Excellent day!!!Gerald Walsh
CARY AUDIO DESIGN
1020 Goodworth Drive | Apex, NC 27539
919-355-0010 x105
919-355-0013 fax

Before borrowing a Cary 05 from my dealer it too was blowing some fuses....
What I did was to check the umbicial cord for shorts..all was well there (no shorts) then all I did was to clean all the pin contacts in the umbicial and the male pins on the 05..I used Deoxit cleaner.AND made sure that the fuses were the 1 amp slow-blow type..also check the rectifier tube.
Results so far is no more fuse'es blowing.don't know for sure but mabey it was a bad connection with the umbicial cord causing shorting or bad contact at the connector ends.
jaytea
78 posts
 
I just talked to Cary today..and Gerald suggested to replace the 5AR4 rectifier tube...I did..and all is well again. BTW I replaced the bad one with the Phillips Miniwatt Metal base GZ34 .
joey_v OP
663 posts
 
Jaytea,

Similar problem as I had. How are the new Miniwatts you have there? I'm still waiting for mine.

Joey
jaytea
78 posts
 
Hi Joey,
I bought 4 of them, 2 from TubeDepot and 2 from TubeWorld before they ran out!!!

I used a pair on the Manley 300B Pre (sold recently) and 2 are new.
Well, immediately after i replaced the bad stock tube with the new Miniwatt, I played a few discs (David Sanborn's DVD-A, and Tord Gustavsen's cds), and the difference was pretty audible to my ears and my friend's: bass is tighter , deeper , and especially sax has more bite and breath. Pretty cool tube!!!!
Did you get yours yet??
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