1962 Eico ST-70
- Thread starter b brian
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The iron would probably bring at least that on eBay.
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
one of those transformers might have an issue... but the OPTs should be OK and they're quite good; easily worth the asking price.
...oh, and not to mention the EICO 5AR4, which is almost certainly Mullard OEM.
...oh, and not to mention the EICO 5AR4, which is almost certainly Mullard OEM.
intotubes
Well-Known Member
A bit off topic but does it really matter who made the rectifier? Signal and outputs yes but a rectifier isn't in the signal path, right?
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
The issue isn't (as far as I am concerned*) - it's robustness. The Mullards will last for years and years - most modern 5AR5s; not so much.
The 5AR4 was the most "high tech" vacuum tube HV rectifier developed, and it was developed principally for hifi use. It is very efficient (low voltage loss) and can deliver quite a bit of HV for its little package. There've been some poor performing variants - the classic Mullards, though, generally might be expected to last a lifetime (or more).
* Although it can be argued that everything in the sonics of an amplifier will ultimately trace back to the power supply.
The 5AR4 was the most "high tech" vacuum tube HV rectifier developed, and it was developed principally for hifi use. It is very efficient (low voltage loss) and can deliver quite a bit of HV for its little package. There've been some poor performing variants - the classic Mullards, though, generally might be expected to last a lifetime (or more).
* Although it can be argued that everything in the sonics of an amplifier will ultimately trace back to the power supply.
intotubes
Well-Known Member
Thanks for the explanation. Makes sense to me.
Under normal use, I'm not sure it's possible to kill a Mullard 5AR4/GZ34.
mhardy6647
Lunatic Member
egg-zack-a-tackly.
...why couldn't I come up with such a clear and concise exposition?
