Is the Shuguang 5AR4 any good?

Buy real old production Mullard/Philips GZ34’s (or two) from a reputable tube dealer before they become unobtainable @ sane prices.

Seen them recently in the $150-$200+ range.

Don’t fret about metal base et cetera as they all sound good and last if properly tested (even the early 70’s production).

Aside from Mullard/Philips I have a few 1983 Sovtek’s and much earlier Japanese 5ar4’s that sound good and are reliable, but that boat passed years ago as I purchased them NIB way back then.

Used Mullard GZ34’s 10-15 years ago in HiFi gear that were from guitar amps that I owned in the mid 1960’s on, as well as some from Dynaco gear that I purchased in the mid 1970’s.

PS:

I used them in Pilot 232/240 amps, which run the crap out of the rectifier/GZ34.

DeKay

@dekay   the one that is in the mail & on its way is a UK Amperex (which I was told here was probably made by Mullard) and one of the ones I have already received was sold as a Hitachi and I see on the base that it is labeled Matsushita.  The three I have bids on are Mullards and I believe that two of them are claiming to be NIB.  (AS I typed, I don't have high hopes for those, as I am not going to bid much higher, if even at all higher.)

Your thoughts are to leave the Shuguangs alone then.  Okay, I was just thinking that the price seemed okay and if they were as good or any better thyan the stock Sovtec, a couple of spares wouldn't hurt.

Okay, thanks. 

No different than the Sovtek in sound or reliability.  If they are good strong tubes the Amperex and the Matsushita will last a decade at least unless damaged by something. 

Okay, @jackd that’s probably the bottom line then--no point in getting them if they aren’t better than the stock Sovtec. I'll try to win one of those other auctions I bid on.