Forums - Sophia 274 in Select?

stone_of_tone

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Posts: 269

Sophia 274 in Select?
12/06/07 at 06:02:20

How you guys doin:
1) I can use a 274 in my Zen Select; right?
2) .....274B or A?
3) If I recall Randy has used one of these?

Thanks in Advance, Stone of Tone 8-)

Sophia Electric™ 274B/274A Rigid & Mesh Plate Tubes

Sophia Electric standard 274B Pricing: Rigid Per Unit Mesh Per Unit
Option 1 with one year warranty: $150 $175
Option 2 with 30 days warranty: $99.99 $125

Princess 274B Pricing: Rigid Per Unit Mesh Per Unit
Option 1 with one year warranty: $165 $190
Option 2 with 30 days warranty: $115 $140

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Rob Senior Member I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 69	Re: Sophia 274 in Select? Reply #1 - 12/06/07 at 17:17:55 Not sure about the "A", but I have used the 274.... outstanding.
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Crazy Bill the Eel Killer

Senior Member

Tubes Rule !!

Posts: 84

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #2 - 12/06/07 at 18:31:34

Stone,

You might want to take a look at the Valve Art version before you spring for big money. I used one for about a year with very positive results, and no failures. They were my fav rectifier till I discovered NOS ( 1950's vintage ) Svetlana black plate 5U4g. Be advised, though, ( I'm relying on memory here ), the data sheet calls for a max of 8uf ? for the first cap on a cap input filter. While I had no issues when I used the Valve Art for a year, I would think twice about putting in an expensive rectifier w/o lowering the value of the first cap. If you're willing to spend that kind of money, you might want to look at the Emission Lab's 274 offerings.. They also offer a mesh plate 5U4G that looks very cool.

I have 3 VA 274b that are doing nothing. If you pay for shipping both ways, you're welcome to try it out to see if you like the 274 family sound. PM me if interested.

Cheers, Crazy Bill :)

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Randy in Caintuck

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Tube be ... or not
tube be ... it's a
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Posts: 369

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #3 - 12/06/07 at 21:43:41

Howdy Stone,

I do indeed have two Sophia 274Bs ..... a solid plate and a mesh plate.

The info already stated about the cap value is correct, but it is my understanding that this value was determined at a time when capacitors were not as "refined and forgiving" as the caps made today.

I have used these tubes off and on for the past several years with no problems.

They certainly have a different sound than any of the other rectifiers normally used in the Select.

As noted by Crazy Bill, the Valve Art 274Bs are a lot cheaper. I bought one of the early ones, and while it has a distinct mechanical "ringing" that can be heard when the music is not playing ..... the sound does not come through the speakers. Valve Art stopped making this tube for a while and then resumed production. The new ones might not have the ringing issue, but I can't say with any certainty. The one I bought sounds just fine to me ..... for a lot less money than the Sophias ..... 8-)

Regards,

Randy

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« Last Edit: 12/06/07 at 21:47:51 by Randy in Caintuck »

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Crazy Bill the Eel Killer

Senior Member

Tubes Rule !!

Posts: 84

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #4 - 12/07/07 at 02:31:20

Hey guys,

Buy only the B version, which uses an octal socket which is what is in the select. The A version uses an UX4 socket, which will not fit in the select. Otherwise they are identical.

As far as ringing goes, I believe I have the newer versions, and they are dead quiet.

Cheers, Crazy Bill. :)

BTW, the offer to listen to my VA 274b's are for anyone willing to pay the postage ;D

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stone_of_tone Seasoned Member Listen Often/Listen Deep Posts: 269	Re: Sophia 274 in Select? Reply #5 - 12/11/07 at 04:49:18 Thanks guys (Rob, Crazy Bill & Randy), I am going to try one. Thanks for the offer Crazy Bill....but I just went ahead and ordered one. Happy Holidays, to you all. Cheers, Stone of Tone 8-)
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erimille Senior Member Posts: 65	Re: Sophia 274 in Select? Reply #6 - 12/17/07 at 01:36:24 stone_of_tone wrote on 12/06/07 at 06:02:20: How you guys doin: 1) I can use a 274 in my Zen Select; right? 2) .....274B or A? 3) If I recall Randy has used one of these? (snip) Caveat... My Sophia 274 lasted about a year in the Select. That said, it was fantastic while it lasted --e
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Crazy Bill the Eel Killer

Senior Member

Tubes Rule !!

Posts: 84

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #7 - 12/17/07 at 03:49:19

Here's something I would do to my PS if I were committed to the 274b rectifier.

Change first cap to a PIO, Russian NOS preferred ( great price/performance ratio ), MAX value 10-15uf, up second cap to 80-100uf.

While Randy is correct in that modern caps are not as hard on the rectifier as older electrolytics, the cap VALUE still determines the pulse currents that the rectifier must face to charge the caps, and the lower the cap value, the lower the peak currents that the rectifier faces, and the longer it lives.

My wife is tired, so I must turn off the computer. More to follow.

Happy holidays everyone,

Crazy Bill :)

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Scrapiron Verified Member Posts: 15	Re: Sophia 274 in Select? Reply #8 - 12/17/07 at 13:52:14 Hey Bill- I"m running a Sophia 274B in my CSP and another 274B in my Taboo. I looked around on ebay and noticed Svetlana black plate 5U4gs that seemed pretty inexpensive. Am I looking at the right thing? They say NOS and I've never bought tubes off ebay (just direct or from a dealer), so I'm wary. Thanks- Skot
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Randy in Caintuck Seasoned Member Tube be ... or not tube be ... it's a no-brainer. Posts: 369	Re: Sophia 274 in Select? Reply #9 - 12/17/07 at 21:23:08 Hi Skot, A 274B is one of the rectifiers recommended by Steve for the CSP2 ..... and he has it listed as a suitable tube for the Taboo as well ..... 8-) The 5U4 is also listed among the rectifiers for the CSP2. There are some very nice old stock 5U4s available for a reasonable price that sound superb. Take care, Randy
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Crazy Bill the Eel Killer

Senior Member

Tubes Rule !!

Posts: 84

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #10 - 12/18/07 at 14:04:50

Hello Skot,

These are the tubes I am using. They must have a man.date of the 50's or 60's. As I understand it black plate tubes were phased out of production after that time. I'm sure Eli could elaborate further. All I know is these tubes are WAY better than my VA 274b's, or RCA or Chinese 5U4G's. I have no expereience with the newer Svetlana rectifiers.

I'm sending one off to EV this week for him to have a listen. He has heard the other good 5U4G variants, and he'll post on his forum how he thinks these compare to the others. I'll post a link here when that happens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-SVETLANA-5U4G-5C3S-TUBES-BLACK-PLATE-IN-BOX-of-4_W0QQit...

Cheers, Crazy Bill

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Scrapiron

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Posts: 15

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #11 - 12/18/07 at 15:08:14

Thanks Randy and Crazy Bill.

I've got a TJ mesh plate 274b in the Taboo and the Sophia in the CSP. These are Brad's old stuff (and sound fantastic).

So the link to the Svetlana black plates- that seems like a pretty good deal.. four tubes for $50? As I said, I'm wary as that particular seller has no feedback from buyers and he's in the Ukraine. I'll hunt around for another seller, but that price sure beats replacing a 274b (if and when they need replacing).

-Skot

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erimille

Senior Member

Posts: 65

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #12 - 12/18/07 at 18:44:11

Crazy Bill the Eel Killer wrote on 12/18/07 at 14:04:50:

Hello Skot,

These are the tubes I am using. They must have a man.date of the 50's or 60's. As I understand it black plate tubes were phased out of production after that time. I'm sure Eli could elaborate further. All I know is these tubes are WAY better than my VA 274b's, or RCA or Chinese 5U4G's. I have no expereience with the newer Svetlana rectifiers.

I'm sending one off to EV this week for him to have a listen. He has heard the other good 5U4G variants, and he'll post on his forum how he thinks these compare to the others. I'll post a link here when that happens.

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-SVETLANA-5U4G-5C3S-TUBES-BLACK-PLATE-IN-BOX-of-4_W0QQit...

Cheers, Crazy Bill

Those look *very* interesting and I'm in need of a new rectifier for my Select. Crazy Bill, are you using these in an un-modded / stock Select?

--e

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Crazy Bill the Eel Killer

Senior Member

Tubes Rule !!

Posts: 84

Re: Sophia 274 in Select?
Reply #13 - 12/19/07 at 00:59:06

Hello e,

My amp no longer resembles the select, but I first bought and used the black plates before I started modding my amp. They made a significant improvement to the stock select, and I can't recommend them highly enough.

The 5U4G is capable of handling significantly higher current ( and voltage ) than what it will ever see from the select. The select is a stroll in the park, STS. Four of those babies will last you a lifetime.

Go for em. I think you will be pleasantly surprised at what you hear. I think they're a steal at the price.

Happy holidays, Crazy Bill

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« Last Edit: 12/19/07 at 01:04:40 by Crazy Bill the Eel Killer »

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Crazy Bill the Eel Killer Senior Member Tubes Rule !! Posts: 84	Re: Sophia 274 in Select? Reply #14 - 12/19/07 at 01:03:27 Hey guys, Buy this lot. I've purchased from him before, and the transaction was quick and easy. http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-SVETLANA-5U4G-5C3S-TUBES-BLACK-PLATE-Lot-of-4_W0QQitemZ... Cheers, Crazy Bill
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