Looking for 5AR4 rectifier tube most like solid state
I have the Cary SLP-05 preamp (with the Ultimate Upgrade), which sounds exceedingly good in most respects. Unfortunately, it's sorely lacking in rhythmic excitement (what various British companies call Pace, Rhythm and Timing, or PRaT).
I suspect that the 5AR4 tube rectifier is at least partially to blame. In general, tube rectifiers exhibit "sag". This helps some aspects of the performance, but is likely dulling transients that are needed to create faster dynamics (e.g. percussive envelopes).
Cary has told me that I cannot insert an equivalent solid-state rectifier, as it would require a power supply redesign. Instead, I'm hoping to find a 5AR4 tube that mostly closely behaves like a solid state rectifier. I don't want it to be warm, or smooth, or anything like that. This preamp already has an overabundance of those qualities. Instead, I want it to be fast, dynamic, rhythmic, and exciting, with a real sense of "boogie".
Any suggestions?
Thanks for those recent responses. I haven't got that Mullard rectifier yet (picking it up this weekend), but someone came by with some NOS Sylvania 6SN7 GTB. That was a big boost forward, beyond the Electro Harmonix (Gold in the Input, and regular in the Driver). It's getting closer to "good enough". We'll see if the Mullard takes it over the finish line. Otherwise, a pivot to another preamp may be required. |
Good luck in those regards. Let us know how it goes for you. I have read posts from both sides of the fence on that--rectifier tubes have an effect on sonics/rectifier tubes are not in the signal path & have no effect. My ears are not good enough for me to understand the differences and why I like something or don’t like something. In other words, I might be enjoying my SLP05 more than I ded before I put the Mullard in it, but I just don’t know why that is. That might be a blessing or a curse, I haven’t figured out which. |
@danager that's a really interesting piece
that would be my first thing to try, if not just replacing the preamp, those are pretty soft and slow |
@immatthewj The argument that the rectifier is not in the signal path is incorrect. The rectifier helps to supply the voltage that's used for the output rail. Noise or dips on that feed are going to affect the sound. Smoothing capacitors certainly help, but they will not eliminate all artifacts of the rectification stage. With my solid-state Class-AB builds, I've gotten better sound by changing from a TO-220 Schottky FWB to a superior SMD Schottky FWB, so I know it's possible. What I'm not sure of, however, is whether it will improve the handling of transients. I believe that has much to do with the unit's ability to communicate the rhythmic aspects of the music. Keeping my fingers crossed! |
