Not  sure  about the  "A",  but I have  used  the  274....   outstanding.

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

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-)

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                    :)

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

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

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              

Howdy Bill,

I just ordered some ..... but there was a "detour" when I went to pay .....

It seems that the seller cannot directly accept PayPal and uses a third party to receive funds.

Even so, it was no big deal and I'm looking forward to checking out the tubes.

Thanks for the heads up .....  8-)

Randy

Crazy Bill the Eel Killer wrote on 12/20/07 at 01:36:28:


Well ..... the legend goes that it was a derivation of the name used for Kentucky by the original inhabitants ..... and associated with Daniel Boone.

A quote from The Meade County Messenger © says :

"Born in Pennsylvania, Boone spent most of his life exploring the new West and is credited with leading settlers to the new found “Caintuck.”

In later years, finding his new home “crowded,” Boone took his family further west, settling in the “wilderness” of Missouri. It was here, in 1820, he was buried, prior to his relocation to Frankfort.

While in “Caintuck,” which was later “anglicized” to become the present-day Kentucky, Boone explored, fought Indian tribes during the Revolutionary War, built forts (one of which is well preserved and now a state park), surveyed, farmed and told his friends to settle here."

I decided to incorporate the name when planning The Caintuck Audio Fest which has the dubious distinction (as far as I know) of being the only audio gathering in history where Steve Deckert and Ed Schilling were both in attendance .....  8-)

The "Randy in Caintuck" moniker was coined in respectful imitation of another forum poster, John in CR (Costa Rica) .....  :)

Randy

Well, looks like he's doing some good business this week! I ordered a quartet as well. I experienced the same issues as Randy, but muddled through it.

We'll see how they stack up against the Sophia mesh plate and TJ 274b. The price sure is right!

Thanks for the tip Crazy Bill.

It seems that the seller in Ukraine is a straight up guy .....  8-)

I received an email from him this morning with the following attachment :



Randy

Sorry Scrap !!          

http://cgi.ebay.com/6N1P-EV-6DJ8-ECC88-Tubes-Lot-of-10_W0QQitemZ160192192297QQih...

Buy these now. You won't regret it  !

MY CHOICE for the input tube. But be advised I also changed the bias to suit these tubes over the 6922 types. While the Select can use either, Steve's chosen operating points favor the 6922 types over the 6n1p types. But they both sound great where Steve is hitting them. At this price, buy em and you decide which you like best.

Happy hunting !!!                        Crazy Bill        

Just got a batch of 6n1p from this guy on E Bay. Very good shipping within 2 weeks. He does take PayPal.

D

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190174515224&ssPageName=...

hello i have a se84b amp will 274b rectifier work. any sujestions

Hello all,

In case you're wondering whether you got a good deal, here they are

http://thetubestore.com/nos-5u3c.html

Have you got them yet, and let's hear some initial impresssions.    

Cheers,              Crazy Bill                        

Hello all,

Glad they're working out for you --e. At this price I do think they're a steal, and six should last a lifetime and then some.

I sent a couple down to EV last week. As soon as he gets a chance to listen to them, he's going to post his impressions on his website. I'll provide a link when that happens.


Cheers,                    Crazy Bill