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5AR4: Sovtek, Shuguang, or other?

I've run into several Realistic & National branded 5AR4's made in USSR in the 70's. Any feedback on these?
 
I know that these debates on cable/wire and rectifiers gets very subjective and emotional. That is why I have my opinion on each but will keep it to myself because it is not my intention to disrespect or offend anyone here.

I deal in factual, measurable detail and go from there. Your results may vary. Let's face it; we are all able to make decisions and mistakes. If we are misguided, we may make a mistake. But that is the way it is. Yes, I know that I didn't say anything that was of value. Just want to stay friendly with all and move on.

So, that being said, if one really wanted to have a rectifier that could handle the load, one could use two silicon rectifiers on the tube socket under the chassis. No doubt, there would be no B+ voltage sage there! You could still have the filament of the rectifier glowing if you wanted or not. If you choose not, you save 1.9 Amps consumption and the power transformer is happier. HH Scott used silicon rectifiers in the 340B and 380. So obviously they were not concerned with cathode stripping on the 7591.

Guess that will be food for thought...
 
I prefer a tube rectifier in a guitar amp where the voltage sag adds to the intentional coloration the amp provides. For a hi-fi amp, I can't really understand why silicon isn't better, so long as some kind of soft-start was provided. (Guitar amps frequently have standby switches which keep the filament supply on while shutting off the B+. Seems like a simple way to handle it for the hi-fi hobbyist willing to mess with two switches and 15 seconds to turn on their amp.)
 
moral of the story....
i'd rather have used american tubes than some of the imported new crap.
 
analog addict said:
How does the Amperex 5AR4 fit in w.r.t the others?....:scratch2:
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Since it's a Mullard produced tube, absolutely fine.

Amperex labeled 5AR4/GZ34's had the longest duration of production by a short window of time. During 1954 through 1957 for the metal-based variety $$$$$, 1958 to 1962 bakelite fat-based variety $$$$, 1962 to end of production in the 70's for the standard bakelite base (four notch and seven notch plates) variety $$$.

They also had a variety produced from 1959 to 1962 that had a standard base and were mfg'd at one of the Sittard plants $$$$. Many of these were relabeled by Mullard after the introduction of the newer shield logo in the early 70's.

. . Falcon
 
I've got a "harman kardon by AMPEREX" GZ34/5AR4 tube here, says made in Holland, etched codes f31 and X9A. Is this a Mullard? Did they make tubes in Holland? Perhaps it isn't really made in Holland???
 
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JonL said:
I've got a "harman kardon by AMPEREX" GZ34/5AR4 tube here, says made in Holland, etched codes f31 and X9A. Is this a Mullard? Did they make tubes in Holland? Perhaps it isn't really made in Holland???
Click to expand...

OK, I did some research and determined that this tube was made in January 1959 at the Philips factory in Sittard, the Netherlands (which is a beautiful city based on the Wikipedia page).

I'm now also wondering how this tube stacks up against a Mullard.
 
ke4mcl said:
moral of the story....
i'd rather have used american tubes than some of the imported new crap.
Click to expand...

Can't disagree with this statement, and I am sure that "american" means England too if you get my drift...
 
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