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Message started by Rraymond on 04/10/16 at 20:40:21

Title: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by Rraymond on 04/10/16 at 20:40:21

I'm thinking of replacing the stock Chinese 274B rectifier tube in my Tori Jr with a Philips 5R4GYS from Upscaleaudio.com. It seems a little pricey at $119.00 but the reviews seem to be pretty good on their site. Any thoughts here on what to expect on sound improvements if any?
Thanks,
Rick

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by Ellsworth on 04/17/16 at 00:49:13

I a, using one of these in my SuperZen.  I think it is well worth the money. If you want to experiment with rectifiers, you can pick up a RCA from Brent Jesse tubes for $20.  I found that to be a nice change from the 274B.

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by hdrider on 05/03/16 at 21:55:48

I am playing with different rectifiers in both my Rachael and ZP3. The Rachael has a GZ32/CV593 that I bought off Kevin @ Upscale a few years ago and forgot that I had. The ZP3 got a 5Y3GT but for the life of me I cannot remember the manufacture. Big difference on both fronts, all for the positive. Happy listening and let us know what you end up doing. Chris

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by Rraymond on 05/03/16 at 22:04:29

Chris,
I did end up getting the Philips 5R4GYS from Upscale Audio(with cryo option) and honestly, I can't seem to be able to hear any difference. I'm wondering if because my ic's and speaker cables aren't the best, I won't be able to hear any enhancements because of the limitations of those...  I'll have to do an A/B comparison when I get those upgraded in a month or so.

Rick

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by Tripwr1964 on 05/05/16 at 12:14:05

wish i would have saw this sooner. i would have sold you my philips 5r4gys.  i bought 2 from kevin and haven't found them that exciting in any of my decware gear.
i like the nos mullard 5ar4/GZ34's in my csp3.  black base and metal (if you've got the jack). you can pick up nos ge blackburn blk base versions for $70-100.
ended up liking nos rca 5u4g in my zp3 best.

put some hours on that philips and see what it does first (~30hrs).

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by popthropologist on 05/07/16 at 02:21:07

Hey, I'll buy your Philips rectifier!

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by maximum kahuna on 05/11/16 at 00:05:18

I had a Philips in my SE84C+. I loved the look; but to be honest, I found it a bit analytical and cold. I'm using a Raytheon 5U4G instead and have found it to be a warmer sounding tube. I've tried three or four different rectifiers and keep going back to the Raytheon.

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by will on 07/13/16 at 23:50:18

I agree. I tried and tried to get good sound from the Phillips 5R4GYS. No luck here. Regardless of "uncle kevy's" raves, in my Toriis they were also coolish, distant, a little veiled...they just couldn't quite breath space and music here.

If your Raytheon is an STs (coke bottle) I like those too. My favorite for a while now though are Phillips/Mullard type coke bottle GZ32s (various names and European factories). Mine are Mazda labeled with double bottom D getters. If Mullard type GZ34 are a little dense/thick in your setting, these are a more open alternative.

They all sound a little different, but this particular Philips made tube type is warm, but articulate and open, fast, and deep for a GZ32/5V4G. It does not tend to be as open (and sometimes intense) as some fat bottle 5V4Gs up in the mids and low highs, something that can be good or bad depending on the rest. The Phillips type seem to have a nice balanced frequency balance.

Compared to my Mazda GZ32, the RCA type 5U4G-STs, like the Raytheons I have, are less fast/punchy/dynamic, more even/neutral. And if there is no masking from low end darkness/thickness in the setting, they are very good at micro detail, especially the RCAs I have with single top getters. I used those for years before getting caught by the GZ32/5V4Gs.

Title: Re: Philips 5R4GYS rectifier tube vs stock China 274B
Post by samb0357 on 07/21/16 at 23:15:20

Best rectifier I've used with my CSP2:

http://www.thetubestore.com/Tubes/5U4-Tube-Types/Winged-C-SED-5U4-G-Black-Plate

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