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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
vett93
205 posts
 
The best Mullard 5AR4 was made in their Blackburn factory in the UK. I have one in my 300B SET amp and another one in the external power supply for ModWright Denon 3910 player.

I have also tried various 5AR4 tubes in my 300B SET amp. The closest one to Mullard 5AR4 is cryo'ed JJ 5AR4. You can get it from:

www.cryoset.com
joey_v OP
663 posts
 
http://www.cryoset.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=61&products_id=162&osCsid=93b9afeab78b074e29a355b88596a885

Is this ok?
vett93
205 posts
 
Ask the owner. If the tube was really a Blackburn 5AR4, it should be good. I have 6 5AR4s in different logos and they all sound good.
joey_v OP
663 posts
 
Thanks fellas... I just found and bought a Philips Miniwatt metal base GZ34 tube...

This better be good....
jaytea
78 posts
 
Hi Joey,
My 9 months old SLP 05 just started to blow the main fuse and then the high voltage rail fuse..I havent found out why exactly did it do that just yet..I'll call Cary tomorrow..and hopefully it'd be the same issue as yours ..BTW..how does the Miniwatt metal base sound in your unit? I have 4 here but havent tried them with the Cary yet. Your feedback on it would be greatly appreciated!!
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