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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
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!!
dgordonl
128 posts
 
I ask Cary techs about using the SS rectifier and they stated:
I have been asked this question several times. I would advise
against the use of any ss rectifiers with our products. Thank you for your inquiry and
support. Have an Excellent day!!!Gerald Walsh
CARY AUDIO DESIGN
1020 Goodworth Drive | Apex, NC 27539
919-355-0010 x105
919-355-0013 fax

Before borrowing a Cary 05 from my dealer it too was blowing some fuses....
What I did was to check the umbicial cord for shorts..all was well there (no shorts) then all I did was to clean all the pin contacts in the umbicial and the male pins on the 05..I used Deoxit cleaner.AND made sure that the fuses were the 1 amp slow-blow type..also check the rectifier tube.
Results so far is no more fuse'es blowing.don't know for sure but mabey it was a bad connection with the umbicial cord causing shorting or bad contact at the connector ends.
jaytea
78 posts
 
I just talked to Cary today..and Gerald suggested to replace the 5AR4 rectifier tube...I did..and all is well again. BTW I replaced the bad one with the Phillips Miniwatt Metal base GZ34 .
joey_v OP
667 posts
 
Jaytea,

Similar problem as I had. How are the new Miniwatts you have there? I'm still waiting for mine.

Joey
jaytea
78 posts
 
Hi Joey,
I bought 4 of them, 2 from TubeDepot and 2 from TubeWorld before they ran out!!!

I used a pair on the Manley 300B Pre (sold recently) and 2 are new.
Well, immediately after i replaced the bad stock tube with the new Miniwatt, I played a few discs (David Sanborn's DVD-A, and Tord Gustavsen's cds), and the difference was pretty audible to my ears and my friend's: bass is tighter , deeper , and especially sax has more bite and breath. Pretty cool tube!!!!
Did you get yours yet??
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