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SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G (Read 5129 times)
hoops
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SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
02/20/19 at 14:07:55
 
Hi Guys,

I have a DIY Zen based on the ZKIT1 but with the valve rectifier from the SE84C. It currently has a russian 5C3S rectifier which I believe is the  same as the 5U4G. On paper, it looks like the GZ32 would be a good choice from comments on here.

I have read a lot about the GZ32 as an excellent rectifier, especially the Mullard ones, but wanted to just double check the GZ32 would be fine with the SE84C?

And as an achievable alternative to the Mullard GZ32, has anyone had any experience with either Adzam GZ32 (rebranded Mullard) or British made Brimar 5V4G in a Zen?

Quite a while back, I had a factory SE84CW, and someone recommended the GZ32:
https://www.decware.com/cgi-bin/yabb22/YaBB.pl?num=1336596353/0#0

Cheers, Rob (in the UK).
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Lon
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Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #1 - 02/20/19 at 14:20:54
 
Rob,

The GZ32 will work fine as a replacement for the rectifier in the ZKIT1. And will likely sound great!
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HR-1,ZTPRE,ZBIT,ZROCK2,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod,Taboo MkIV;Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD,P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls,Reference spkrcbls;Mapleshade SamsonV3;VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects, IsoPods; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1
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mark58
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Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #2 - 02/20/19 at 15:16:26
 
Rob, Mullard GZ 32s are great, the rebranded are made at the same factory.  The etched codes are what's important not the brand printed on the tubes...I have an Adzam, Miniwatt and a RCA rebrands of Mullards...all are the same except for different years and maybe getters.  Being in the UK you may have access to some cheaper than us in the US.  A much cheaper alternative is the 5V4G...I have RCA brand tubes and they could be had for less than $15 each when I was buying them quite a while ago. They aren't as good as the Mullard but are still very good...hope this helps, Mark.
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"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with the concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, deceptions, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as Hell. Let no such man be trusted." William Shakespeare
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hoops
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Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #3 - 02/20/19 at 17:42:39
 
Thanks guys, It has a code of 'R71 B2E1' which looks about right from what I can see online. Its £75 which is around $100 at the moment, seems quite a lot but Mullard branded GZ32 are just not available.

I've just recieved a quad of Svetlana SV83 along with a Tesla E88CC Gold Pin to try as well!
Previously using the generic 5C3S, 6P15P-EV and 6N1P-EV I've had for ~6-years now since it was built!
With my first SE84CW I rolled a few tubes but just never got round to it with this one!
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mark58
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Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #4 - 02/20/19 at 19:28:44
 
Rob, $100 +/- 20 bucks is about the standard ask price for Mullard GZ 32s but you can get them cheaper with some patience.  ebay let's me look at purchases back to the beginning of 2017.  Since then I have bought nine.  I don't buy them for more than $50 including shipping.  The one below that I paid $56 was a NOS, perfect, Mullard labeled GZ 32.  These all tested very well and most I think were NOS since they didn't have the little burn marks on the top yet. About half aren't marked Mullard but all have etched date codes from the late 50's to mid 60's.  So you can do better.  Mark.

2 from Belgium... $39 each
2 from New Zealand... $40 each
1 from US... $56, free shipping
2 from Netherlands...$40 each 
1 from Canada...$34.99
1 from US...$30.69
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"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with the concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, deceptions, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as Hell. Let no such man be trusted." William Shakespeare
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hoops
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Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #5 - 02/20/19 at 20:15:34
 
Thanks very much, I'll keep an eye out!
Cheers, Rob
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hoops
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Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #6 - 02/23/19 at 13:14:33
 
Took a punt on the Adzam GZ32 which arrived today, plugged it in and sounding good!
Thanks for the advice! Smiley
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mark58
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Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #7 - 02/23/19 at 13:35:08
 
Nice. I experiment with other rectifiers, the last being a type 80 but I always come back to a Mullard GZ 32.  Mark.
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"The man that hath no music in himself, nor is not moved with the concord of sweet sounds, is fit for treasons, deceptions, and spoils;
The motions of his spirit are dull as night and his affections dark as Hell. Let no such man be trusted." William Shakespeare
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Lon
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"Love without
guts is
worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 23310
Re: SE84C (ZKIT1) Rectifier - GZ32/5V4G
Reply #8 - 02/23/19 at 14:30:33
 
I've been playing around with a pair of Mullard GZ32 I bought last month. I like them, but surprisingly I keep coming back to the Sophia Electric Aqua 274B. Those just don't stay out of my amps and preamps long.
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HR-1,ZTPRE,ZBIT,ZROCK2,SEWE300B,CSP3-25mod,Taboo MkIV;Rega RP3 all GrooveTracer mods;PSAudio:PST+DSD,P15,NPC,PowerBases,AC-12 pwr cbls,Reference spkrcbls;Mapleshade SamsonV3;VooDoo:Cremona+Amati interconnects, IsoPods; headphones:Sennheiser HD800S,ZMF Ori,Oppo PM1
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