I believe the OP is talking about a current production Genalex since he mentions the tube being cryoed. As others have stated sometimes a tube is just bad old or new. A rectifier generally should last a fairly long time. I had a NOS Philco 5ar4 go out with a flash and a bang a few years ago and at the suggestion of my dealer got a variac. For around $100 off eBay it has a 2k transformer and ramps the voltage up slowly. I’ve used it ever since haven’t lost a rectifier.Look for good deals on rectifier tubes on here, I picked up some NOS RCA 5ar4 60s era tubes from member aztubes. They sound fantastic and have been perfectly reliable.
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.
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.
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- 38 posts total
- 38 posts total