Hoffman Amplifiers Tube Amplifier Forum
Amp Stuff => Tube Amp Building - Tweaks - Repairs => Topic started by: nateflanigan on November 26, 2010, 12:52:40 pm
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Hello, I'm looking to use a SS rectifier plug from tubesandmore.com, the way their site works I can't post a link directly to the item but here's the description...
Solid State Rectifier for 5AR4, 5U4, 5Y3 Tubes
Direct plug-in replacement for 5AR4, 5U4 and 5Y3 rectifier tubes in amplifiers with center tapped secondary power transformer.
Use when less "sag" is desired in the power supply; just switch back to the the tube rectifier when "sag" is desired.
NOTE! Because there is no warm up of a rectifier tube when using this solid state device, it is critical that a standby switch is used that will allow the power tube filaments to warm up and generate an electron "cloud" around the cathode before high voltage is applied. This will prevent "cathode stripping" in the power tubes. It is a good idea to use a standby switch when using vacuum tube rectification, but it is critical when using solid state rectification.
This would be for the TOS build using a super reverb PT from mojo. What I'm unsure of is that they specify it's a a replacement for 5AR4, 5U4, 5Y3 Tubes and the Super Reverb uses a GZ34. I don't enough about rectifier tubes to know whether this would matter or not.
Thanks!
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GZ34= 5AR4. Exact same tube, different number. 98% of the GZ34's you'll ever see will be inked with "5AR4/GZ34".
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w32/ttm4/GZ34.jpg)
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w32/ttm4/gz34_1.jpg)
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This recto is basically two silicon diodes in an octal base. Voltages will be higher and ramp up very fast, something you have to take into account by resetting bias and using a standby switch in order to apply HV after the tubes have heated.
BTW, the 5AR4 was the US equivalent of the European GZ34. Nearly identical when it comes to real 5AR4s - quite rare, and 100% identical for most, wich were European or Japanese made GZ34s rebranded by US manufacturers...
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GZ34= 5AR4. Exact same tube, different number.
Let me kindly disagree: the real 5AR4 is a different tube, quite identical when it comes to ratings, but in a bigger bottle.
(https://www.tubeworld.com/5ar4.jpg)
From the Tubeworld web site.
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Thanks for the clarification.
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Bigger bottle in Sylvania, perhaps. Not in GE.
(http://i172.photobucket.com/albums/w32/ttm4/gz34_2.jpg)
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Bigger bottle in Sylvania, perhaps. Not in GE.
The small GE used GZ34 everything, including copper plates. Some even say that it's a 100% clone of the Philips design.