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Genalex GL GZ-34 Rectifier...Did I just get a bad one? Five months seems

like a terribly short lifespan. I bought it in May and spent the extra money to get a "good" tube. It sounded good while it lived. But it went in a fiery inferno last weekend.  Fortunately it only took out a fuse.

It was running in a Bob Latino VTA ST-70 Dynaco amp. It's a great amp but runs the rectifier a bit hard from my understanding. However the original tube lasted at least 3-4 yrs IIRC. I tried a SS rectifier. YUK!! I put the tube (a spare Sovtek) back in place I've had good luck with the KT-66 Genalex GL's and they have a good reputation (I think). Is this just the luck of the draw. IOW, even a new tube can have a short life span? Or is this odd? Is there any way to avoid it? I'd buy another Gennalex GL if it will last. But I can buy 2 Sovteks for the price of one GL. Sovtek sounds good too.

FWIW, The tube that failed was cryo treated. Could that make a difference in a rectifier tube? As always, Thanks for your help.
128x128artemus_5
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artemus_5 OP
1,976 posts
 
Trelja
It was not a NOS but a new production Genalex GL.

Hifiman

I bought the GL with a quad of 6p3se/6n3ce from Cryoset. First time I’ve dealt with him but his service was outstanding. And he was very friendly. I didn’t name the vendor because I didn’t believe it to be his fault and didn’t want to give a false impression.
I have some thoughts about it and conclude that cryo treatment is not a good thing for the rectifier tube which is under more stress than the other tubes. There are articles which address this issue of super cooling a fragile tube made of different materials which expand and contract at a different rate. I read this after I posted.
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hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@artemus_5  Good point about the thermal issues with a hot running rectifier.  I leave my system on 24/7 so there is no thermal shock experienced by the tube.
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artemus_5 OP
1,976 posts
 
Hifiman
Do you leaveyour amp in standby mode? IOW, How do you keep from running through tubes quickly?

Jond

The Variac is an interesting idea. Thanks
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hifiman5
1,832 posts
 
@artemus_5  I leave all of my components charged up 24/7.  I have tubes in my line stage, SACD player and SACD player power supply.
trelja
3,223 posts
 
@artemus_5, thank you for clarifying.

That's certainly disappointing news.  Given Genalex is the premium Russian tube, even more so.  Over time, I've gravitated away from the majority of new production European tubes, both for sonic and reliability reasons.  There certainly are Euro tubes I still prefer, but all things being equal, Chinese tubes tend to sound better, last longer, and cost less
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