Forums - Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..

Delta 77 Senior Member Posts: 57	Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. 03/05/24 at 19:29:27 I'm about to purchase a new rectifier for my ZP3. I'm having trouble making a decision. Please reply with which one you are using or had experience with. Thanks, Burt.
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Lon

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #1 - 03/05/24 at 20:21:30

I didn't add a Sophia Electric Aqua 274B into the mix before I sold my ZP3 years ago, but since then I've put that up against every other rectifier type I've tried (dozens) and it wins in all the Decware components I've tried it in. Only to be upset from its throne last year by the new Auqua II rectifier. So I'd recommend trying one of the two.

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Delta 77 Senior Member Posts: 57	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #2 - 03/05/24 at 20:47:49 Deleted
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Lon

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #3 - 03/05/24 at 21:54:59

The Sophia Electric Aqua and Aqua II 274B tubes are different than the classic and many modern 274B tubes and they are electrically compatible with the 5U4G and work perfectly in a Decware component such as the ZP3. (In the last six years I have had no issues with these rectifiers).

https://sophiaelectric.com/products/pages-se-aqua-274b

https://tinyurl.com/Aqua-II

From their pages:

In 2016, Sophia Electric released the revolutionary blue glass Aqua 274B that lifted the capacitance limitation (above), broadening the 274B market to be almost fully interchangeable with a 5U4G.

This MK II version of Aqua 274B tube is the ultimate 274B from Sophia Electric. It delivers an unforgettable magical sound that is the trademark of Sophia Electric vacuum tube house sound.

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Sean

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #4 - 03/05/24 at 21:57:37

Currently I’m using a Cryotone 5ar4, out of what I have on hand it’s been the best overall and very smooth. I’ve used a Mullard GZ32 and RCA 5v4, too much emphasis on bass. I’ve also tried 5U4G and 5U4GB. I do have two Mullard GZ33’s but those are in my UFO and CSP. I am intrigued by the Sophia, but at its cost and some of the reported issues with them I’m a bit hesitant to try one…yet.

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23530	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #5 - 03/05/24 at 22:00:02 I've been happy with three types of Cryotone tubes but I hated the sound of their 5AR4. Glad you have had success with yours.
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LiquidBlue

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #6 - 03/05/24 at 22:01:42

I recently got my first Sophia 274B Aqua2 for my UFO25 and concur with everything Lon said. This 274B is different from others, even other Sophia 274B, like the mesh plate. The Aqua’s are designed to be used with a capacitor value up to 47uf, for the first capacitor following the rectifier. Most 274B’s are rated up to 4 or 8uf. With Decware amps typically having a 47uf capacitor, the Aqua is the most appropriate of the 274B tubes to use in the amps and a direct replacement for the 5U4G.

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LiquidBlue Senior Member Posts: 92	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #7 - 03/05/24 at 22:03:23 Ooops. Lon beat me to it. 😁
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Sean

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #8 - 03/05/24 at 23:23:36

So it’s Aqua 2 good, mesh bad? Is that correct? 40 years ago I had a steel trap memory, nowadays I can’t keep acronyms and tube number and letters correct. Euro vs US names! Then there’s Cyrillic! I will say the infinite options is a better problem rather than being tied down to just one or two choices.

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23530	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #9 - 03/06/24 at 00:10:07 Yes, the Aqua 274B and the Aqua II 274B are totally compatible, the Mesh plate 274B will probably work, but will fail very early and probably take out a few fuses. . . not a good monetary choice.
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JOMAN

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #10 - 03/06/24 at 22:14:23

Quote:

Currently I’m using a Cryotone 5ar4, out of what I have on hand it’s been the best overall and very smooth.

Second that. I've used both in my UFO's and ended up preferring the 5AR4-WC. Haven't tried the V2 yet.

The matter of preference is subjective but the following is not, so a word of caution if one is new to 5AR4's or any rectifier with an indirectly heated cathode...

These will have a time delay on start up, sometimes referred to as a soft start. That's great for the component but bad if one is impatient, one of the qualities that I need to improve on. So if one is rolling or turning on a component with an indirectly heated cathode, don't switch it on and off before it starts up and has time to "settle". If you do you risk the tube, any soft start tube, blowing and possibly taking out a fuse in the process.

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pursuitofnow

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #11 - 03/10/24 at 19:46:18

I'm using the Mullard GZ32 with great results, but I must add I'm also using an OD3 voltage regulator. I think it's important when experimenting with rectifiers to also consider voltage regulators. I prefer the OD3 regulators in everywhere I can put them because I can't have a treated living room and they reduce the bass overloading the room. Not that I don't have bass, I do, it's just tighter and more refined with these regulators.

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Delta 77 Senior Member Posts: 57	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #12 - 03/10/24 at 21:43:55 Thanks for everyone’s support.. I had a Sophia Electric 274B Aqua on hand, and installed it into the ZP3 a couple/few days ago. So far so good. Sounds really good, could be an improvement over the RCA 5u4g. It’s been a while since I’ve had the TT running, so outs kinda hard to say for sure.
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MikeinMontana Seasoned Member Posts: 209	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #13 - 03/17/24 at 15:27:23 Been using a 1953 RCA 5u4g for a couple of weeks now. Works great! Also I have a Svetlana 1959 black plate 5u4g. It too ..perfect~
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bloodlemons Senior Member Posts: 94	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #14 - 03/20/24 at 05:40:38 Sophia Aqua II 274B in mine. It won a brief shootout with a NOS RCA 5U4G and I've had no complaints since.
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MikeinMontana Seasoned Member Posts: 209	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #15 - 03/21/24 at 17:38:39 Yeah, looked at those in the past. They sure are pretty! [smiley=icqlite20.png] By the way, what's a brief shootout on these rectifiers entail?
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bloodlemons Senior Member Posts: 94	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #16 - 03/22/24 at 01:25:50 My shootouts are typically listening to one song way too many times while I swap whatever the new thing is in and out of the chain until I'm sure one is better than the other one. I don't take measurements or anything like that.
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MikeinMontana Seasoned Member Posts: 209	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #17 - 03/24/24 at 16:42:37 Right on. Thought about getting one some time back,....but price and 'things'. We're loving the nos RCA one, so we're all good. Runs like a clock and sounds perfectly fine..1953 nos for 42 bucks. I couldn't pass that one up. Take care~ Mike.
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hdrider Seasoned Member On the path with Decware. Posts: 695	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #18 - 03/24/24 at 17:19:18 Brimar GZ32, works flawlessly and sounds great. Previously bought a few JAN 5u4-WB (?) that I believe MikeinMontana turned us on to from Nebraska Surplus (?). I've been happy with them all, nothing stood out as way better than the others. Happy Listening, Chris.
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MikeinMontana

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Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #19 - 03/25/24 at 17:04:24

'nothing stood out as way better than the others'
Tend to agree due to owning three and installing one after the other and listening. (I know, only three..LOL inexpensive ones though.) A nos Svetlana black plate 1959, nos rca 1953 (currently installed), and a Decware branded one too. This amp sounds wonderful with any of the ones we own. We are all good now for back-ups on all tubes. [smiley=icqlite20.png] We've listened almost every night just shy of two months now and the gauges haven't even budged. We're in business. Smiley

Man, we sure do love this amp!

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23530	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #20 - 03/25/24 at 21:39:33 I get it about the price. All I can say is. . . the sound is damned worth it to me. I have not heard better, at any price.
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Lon

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"Love without
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worthless!"
Philip K. Dick

Posts: 23530

Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3..
Reply #21 - 03/26/24 at 15:23:41

I'm not sure what you mean about insurance. Warranty?

Anyway, I understand your position. But having had the original Aqua and now the II version for years in use, and every comparison to others having it come out on top, I know what I am missing for just saving a few dollars, and I don't want to miss it. This clearly is the very best rectifier I've used, and there are those others claim are better. . . and can cost twice as much . . . I'm just stopping here.

Anyway, we're just reporting what we're using in this thread. These are what I am happily using.

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Lon Seasoned Member "Love without guts is worthless!" Philip K. Dick Posts: 23530	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #22 - 03/26/24 at 17:27:47 Well I don't want to mention or see mention of politics here, and I probably differ in my opinion. Money has been tight for me in some ways all my adult life. I make sacrifices in other vice and entertainment areas for audio. These have been reliable tubes for me.
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MikeinMontana Seasoned Member Posts: 209	Re: Which Rectifier is everybody using in their ZP3.. Reply #23 - 03/26/24 at 20:47:38 All yours. Work to do
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