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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
joey_v OP
667 posts
 
Rgurney,

I checked that site out.... these are SS rectifiers? Doesn't this defeat the purpose of a tube rectifier? How does it sound?

Joey
joey_v OP
667 posts
 
Also, the mullard suggestions.... is it ANY mullard 5ar4 tube? Or is there a specific one?

Joey
rodman99999
6,159 posts
 
The 5AR4 is the only Mullard tube I've ever appreciated. Long life and no negatives. Worth the $$.
undertow
1,033 posts
 
Well your other issue is you say you blew the 40 dollar fuses.. Did you put the 30 cent home depot specials back in? If so you have changed 2 things, lost the old rectifier and lost the better fuses.. So this could be a combination of things possibly to get your sound back totally. And I agree with probably trying the Solid state replacement cap mentioned above vs. replacing the rectifier tube due to costs, and many of the rectifiers unless a Really good one, maybe like the mullard are very soft sounding and do exactly as you explain pulling the soundstage back.
rodman99999
6,159 posts
 
If you do happen to buy a SS rectifier, and it doen't ruin the sound of your pre-amp, Please post the results. There's a first time for everything!
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