Grrrrr My 5Y3 Rectifier...

[Keiko]

Just quit working. No warning, just quit. Scared the hell out of me too, but once I swapped out the tube all seems well now. Is this common in rectifiers?
It just stopped working and the filaments no longer glow.

[Ricardo]

Usually happens because of too much pie.

[SCompRacer]

Find a slot to put another dime into:p:D It's a tube, thit happens.

Does it look like this now? Carl's 5Y3WGT lit up in his Hagerman Coronet 2 phono stage. I never looked at a 5Y3 upside down until I flipped the C2 over to test voltages before delivery.

[Keiko]

It's dead. :( No more pretty orange glow. Nothing. I was listening to vinyl, playing with my new VPI RCM when the sound just faded into oblivion. This is the first time a tube's failed on me. Fortunately, I plan ahead and have a nice GZ32 Miniwatt in there now. Just bummed cuz I got a little attached to that tube :( ....But I'm all better now. :p

Usually happens because of too much pie.

You can never have too much pie, Ricardo.

[SCompRacer]

Two to three years back, ModWright had a bad batch of new 5AR4/GZ34 Sovtek rectifiers that were shipped with his tube rectified power supplies. With mine, the top of the tube would look like a lightning machine before the power fuse popped. I didn't run them for long, joining the majority using various flavors of NOS 5AR4's.

[Keiko]

I really did like that Sylvania 5Y3, Rich. It added a nice warm, subtle tone. I only paid around 15.00 for it on ebay, so I'm not out a whole lot. This Miniwatt is no slouch at all, but now I need another backup rectifier. PM'd doccilantro to see if he has something available. I'm going to keep an eye out for another Sylvania too.

[organ]

Sucks when it happens, but at least you didn't get a serious failure where some resistors and caps get taken out. I'm sure you'll like the GZ32.

[Keiko]

at least you didn't get a serious failure where some resistors and caps get taken out.

That's what skeered me, so ya, glad it was just the tube and nothing else. The Miniwatt GZ32 is performing nicely with the E180CC's.

It's inevitable, but hopefully no more surprises for awhile. Got a nice gig going on here and just got my RCM. I want to bask in it for awhile.

[heiney9]

Sorry to hear Mike, that's why I have several back-ups of my favorite tubes, including rectifiers.

I have a couple tubes go out on me lately and it's both frustrating and annoying. Still in a dispute over a tube sale on Ebay. One of the RCA 5691's went dead within an hour.

I filed the dispute immediately on 12-2 and have heard absoultely nothing even after Ebay said they would have a solution within 48hrs.

I have extra's of my favorite rectifier's and 2 extra pairs of my favorite Valvo's. Now I have 2 pairs of the RCA 5691's in addition to the extra single from the original sale. Also looking to get an extra quad of RCA 6V6GT gray glass for back up.

I'm sure you'll find another Sylvania eventually. Make sure it's the same one. One of my favorite rectifiers is the RCA 5V4G with the in-line plates. They make a parallel plate version and it doesn't sound quite the same.

Good luck and Merry Christmas.

H9

[heiney9]

Mike you need to try a Brimar CV1863 (5Z4G) rectifier. I have two of them from 40's military stock. Outstanding rectifier..............simply outstanding. There was a guy in Sweden selling them. I bought a pair to have a back-up. He was selling singles on Ebay, I don't see them now but I'm sure he'll list again. Excellent packing and a great seller. They come from the Military masterpack in cardboard boxes.

H9

P.s. Here's a link to a recent completed sale. Contact him because I think he has more to sell.

http://cgi.ebay.com/2x-5Z4G-CV1863-r...item45efaa99e3

[Keiko]

Thanks Brock. Wow! Shipping costs from Sweden are a zinger. Imagine if you were buying an amp....I'll give this guy a email and see what he can offer though. Jon's checking to see what he has for me also.

Merry Christmas,

Mike

[heiney9]

Thanks Brock. Wow! Shipping costs from Sweden are a zinger. Imagine if you were buying an amp....I'll give this guy a email and see what he can offer though. Jon's checking to see what he has for me also.

Merry Christmas,

Mike

Yeah, but I had to have them because the Dared's stock rectifier is a 5Z4. I paid $49.99 plus the $24 shipping. There was a guy in Taiwan selling these but they are a much newer version for about the same cost. I think the older one is better.

In almost all instances the older tubes just seem to sound a bit better. If there was a huge difference in price I'd say go for the newer unit. In fact here's a link

http://cgi.ebay.com/1Pcs-NOS-STC-5Z4...item45f00ef00a

With the guy in Sweden you get (2) for $24 more. Always have a back-up because these Brimar tubes are pretty rare.

Anyway, maybe you can work a deal with the guy in Sweden for a single. When I emailed him some questions he was very responsive.

H9

[schwarcw]

Mike,

Look at the selection from Tube Depot. The picture Rich posted is from my Bendix 6106 Rectifier. Look Here

[heiney9]

That's a nice looking rectifier Carl.

Anyone know where I can get Bendix 5992's (6V6) fairly inexpensive? I need a Quad

H9

[organ]

Cool. Glad you're enjoying the new rectifier tube.

Heiney,
Very pricey tubes.... Here they are.. http://thetubestore.com/treasure4.html What are you using them in?

[heiney9]

Cool. Glad you're enjoying the new rectifier tube.

Heiney,
Very pricey tubes.... Here they are.. http://thetubestore.com/treasure4.html What are you using them in?

Yeah, I KNOW that's why I don't have a quad them!!! I have a Dared VP16 integrated in my office rig. Not sure they are worth the money. I am really digging the 1950's RCA smoked glass 6V6GT's for a fraction of the price. I'm using the wonderful RCA "red base" 5691 (6SL7GT) for the input/driver tubes. This thing sounds amazing with NOS tubes

http://daredtubeaudio.bravehost.com/VP-16.htm

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/dared2/vp16.html

One just reads about the "legendary" Bendix "Red Bank" tubes and wonders if they are that good.

H9

[Keiko]

Mike,

Look at the selection from Tube Depot. The picture Rich posted is from my Bendix 6106 Rectifier. Look Here

Thanks Carl...Brocko, I contacted that ebay seller. He still has some, but prefers to sell in pairs only. I'm going to give it some thought first and see what the good doctor can do for me also. Spinning vinyl right now and I'm diggin' this Dario Miniwatt GZ32. I think these are very similar to the Mullard's and were produced in the same factories as them, if my research is correct.

[SCompRacer]

One just reads about the "legendary" Bendix "Red Bank" tubes and wonders if they are that good.

Looking at the intended usage, they are considered the best tubes made. Here is a book that is on my someday list.

http://www.audioxpress.com/bksprods/products/bkaa71.htm

MU Engineering bought the Bendix Red Bank division, rebranded existing stock and continued to manufacture on Bendix tooling. I don't know if that included all the original tube offerings as the article I read only referred to the 6900's. The MU 6900's I have are just as good as the Bendix 6900's I had, and the MU's were 1/3 the price of the Bendix at the time. I sold the Bendix and kept the MU’s.

[hearingimpared]

Thank God the tubes in my TriVista are soldered in and they sound great. I lucked out too that Beardog sent me some nos tubes for my Raysonic and they sound great!

You guys are wacky and need some OCD meds.:D

[Keiko]

You guys are wacky and need some OCD meds.:D

Let's get Goonie Goo Goo'd, Gus. :p

[hearingimpared]

Let's get Goonie Goo Goo'd, Gus. :p

I wish!

[Keiko]

I wish!

I'm getting high on some VPI record cleaner. Good sh*t, man. ;)

[hearingimpared]

Watch you don't make a mess all over that thing.;):D

[Keiko]

Nah...I save the spunk for my keyboard. :p

[hearingimpared]

EEEEEEeeeeeeeWWWWWWWwwwwww!

[Keiko]

Hey now! Better than shart splatter.