Best current production GZ34 and would you include diodes with it?

[Mike_J]

Thinking of getting rid of some of my amps. See little advantage to including a Mullard GZ34 with it. Wonder what the best 5AR4/GZ34 is for reliability and comparable voltage drop. Also, it would seem sensible to include diodes in line with the wiring to the tube if the information I have read concerning the reliability of current rectifier tubes is accurate. Any comments would be appreciated.


Thanks
Mike

[acheld]

I don't know if there is a "best" GZ34 out there, and I've had some TAD's, new Mullard that have performed well.

I confess I am biased against JJ tubes with several failures recently (though not a GZ34/AR4).  My experience may or may not mirror others . . .

With regard to the inclusion of diodes: the theory makes sense, and it is cheap and easy to do it, and I have started doing so.  However, since I haven't had a rectifier fail in years, the problem seems a little remote.  LOL -- of course, now it will happen next week!

[Mike_J]

I don't know if there is a "best" GZ34 out there, and I've had some TAD's, new Mullard that have performed well.

I confess I am biased against JJ tubes with several failures recently (though not a GZ34/AR4).  My experience may or may not mirror others . . .

With regard to the inclusion of diodes: the theory makes sense, and it is cheap and easy to do it, and I have started doing so.  However, since I haven't had a rectifier fail in years, the problem seems a little remote.  LOL -- of course, now it will happen next week!

Seems like when you are prepared for bad things to happen they are much less likely to do so. I was thinking about JJs when I wrote this. They seem to have a high failure rate. The Mullard Reissue does look like a likely choice as a replacement. Think I may have paid less for the original than what the reissue is going for but that was a long time ago.


Thanks
Mike

[thetragichero]

i've heard enough good things about ruby/chinese 5ar4 that i picked one up when i thought i needed it (didn't, so it's waiting for future use). i always put in backup diodes. few pennies for some insurance why not?

[tubeswell]

Never had any trouble with JJGZ34


and a vote for protection

[Mike_J]

i've heard enough good things about ruby/chinese 5ar4 that i picked one up when i thought i needed it (didn't, so it's waiting for future use). i always put in backup diodes. few pennies for some insurance why not?

I suppose if backup diodes are installed the choice of rectifier tube is less important presuming the tube behaves reasonably closely to an old Mullard.