I realize there is already my original design log thread, and a review thread on this, but there really isn't a simple place to get to the meat of it, which is simply this:  If you have a DynaGrid Jr, 1) what product is it in, 2) what rectifier tube did it replace, 3) what do you hear different.

So far we have built a rather large number of these things and apparently many of the buyers are forum readers but not posters.  

Thanks,

Steve

I use my Dynagrid Jr. with my Taboo MkIII.
I have compared the Dynagrid to several rectifiers: GEC U18/20 and Mullard FW4/500 (both with adapter), Stradi 5U4G, Psvane 274-Z, RCA 5R4GY ‘58, RCA 5U4G, Cryotone 5U4G, Sylvania 5U4G.  My preferences are listed in that order. I could be very happy with these rectifiers if I hadn’t  listened to the Dynagrid. Each time I performed a comparison I thought the rectifier sounded good until I installed the Dynagrid.  The Dynagrid just sounds noticably better in every way.  Improved clarity, micro details, imaging, soundstage, fuller sound presence that fills the room and bass clarity and presence.  The Dynagrid has no plans of leaving the Taboo.  

Good to see how the JR. is being used!

The clarity that the JR. brought to my system has me rolling tubes and unseating a complement than I had used before. Which makes me feel better about having way way way too many tubes!

I have one of the first 10 DGRs and I've had it on a few different components. At first it was with an SE84UFO and the results were really stunning. I has previous experience with an STR Super Rectifier so my expectations were high. The DGR definitely matched if not exceeded my STR. My experiences echo Lon's and others—the sound is incredibly transparent and the DGR gives an almost uncanny sense of space and separation. The sound I am getting sounds more full and vivid and more enveloping.

I now have it accompanying my (non Decware) preamp and the result is similar. At this point, I can't imagine not having it somewhere in my system.

It seems like most people are using the stock Linlai tube, as am I. There have been a couple notes about different tubes giving different sounds but nothing too extensive. I recently found a Cetron 845 tube for what I consider to be a decent price so I am waiting to see how/if that changes things.

I use the  Shuguang Natural Sound 845-T.  It was a nice noticeable improvement over the stock Linlai 845.  Well worth the step up with no intentions of trying any other 845’s.

My order just bumped to parts pulled this morning. I will be pairing mine with my DAC. I'm anxious to see how this combination works.

Congrats PDX!

I was gonna say something smart like you guys are a bad influence, but you didn’t tell me to get two!

My rationalization train is a mess…if I get one, how will I know if there’s something left on the table by not having a friend for the CSP?? The. I forgot the ZP3, now I’m way out in the weeds. What’s ifs can wreck me at times. That’s where I was looking for insight on anyone running multiple, is it a diminishing return? Are they best used for amps?

I’ve got a bigger fish to fry with setting up a new space in a new room. Perhaps when that gets settled I’ll add a DGR as some icing on the cake. So I really should get one on the list so it’ll line up for when that space is done.

Side note, I always keep an eye on hifi shark for used Decware. I think I’ve only seen one come up for sale. That’s a pretty good indicator to me that they don’t disappoint.

Sean wrote on 10/03/26 at 04:10:53:

I would have the same rationalization process and problem were I to consider JR.s for my audio/visual system as I have a preamp and amp to consider. . . I think that there would be an improvement with two, but one, probably in the amp, would be likely ninety percent of the impact of two, just my gut telling me that.

I'm lucky that my main system has only one rectifier in it, in the amp, so there's no dilemna of choice.

So I haven't been paying close enough attention to this product. It goes in place of the rectifier tube, right?

Wouldn't the prudent thing to do is to design a new amp that has these replacement design already installed in the amps?

Yes I know that everyone would need to replace their amps, but to me adding all of these boxes and doodads is just kicking the can down the road. Having everything included from the start seems the best way to do this.

I don't have enough power outlets to plug all of these boxes into!

An amp would look cool with an 845, or two for some amps, but also a lot of heat, especially with dual mono type amps like our Toriis. Guessing it would have to be whole new designs just for space needed with many amps... beyond tech
.

I share your sentiments, Donnie. I’ll probably never own a DGR because it means adding another box to my system. If it would be incorporated into an existing amp then I’d be in.

Seems like if there’s better tech out there why not incorporate it into the products? I get it, for all the complexities CAJ mentions, but each is a challenge but not an impossible.

I have to echo James' statement here. I was determined for quite some time not to try the JR. for a few reasons, paramount being that I didn't see how to fit it into my system. But one day a lightbulb went off in my head and it was clear I could work it in and I am SO GLAD I did--the difference between a rectifier and the JR. is larger than I expected (and led to further refinement as I tailored it into the system with power and isolation attention) and the tubes run cooler and I think part of the "dynamic" improvement is from removing the rectifier power from the amp. I also found new tube complements that improved overall sound. A big win all around. Perhaps because I only have one rectifier in my main system the improvements/changes were more intense than if I were just replacing one rectifier in a system with two or more. As I had so happily owned a ZTPRE I knew that Steve could design a fantastic component without a traditional tubed rectifier, but that still didn't prepare me for the impact of the JR.

I could only really imagine an amp with the JR. incorporated in the 'Zen' line. A SE84 UFO 25 with the JR. incorporated would be possible I think in a Torii sized chassis, and if Steve also incorporated a "preamp" stage with the operating point of that in the SEWE300B that was "ZROCK" inspired. . .man that would be an effing killer amp (and a mono-blocked version killer-DILLER). But I don't see the inclusion of JR. possible in a single chassis for the other models. Maybe.

As for heat I don't really find the 845 in the JR. to give off more than one of the rectifiers does. . . perhaps even a tiny bit less.

Right, but I honestly think that the way the 845 is utilized in the JR. it is not as "hot" as it would be functioning as a normal power tube (as I believe it is in the STR). The heavy lifting of the rectifier work is not done by the 845 in the JR. and I can put my hand near a 274B in the SEWE300B and near the 845 in the JR. and the warmth radiating is different--the 274B feels hotter.

All I'll say is I don't think so. Even taking location into account it seems that the 845 runs a bit cooler.

Quote:


I have no doubt it sounds better than the standard rectifier and it’s not rocket science fitting into my system. For me it’s more about principle. It’s like saying, “we cracked hydrolysis and now you can run your car on water… but you have to tow around a water trailer and run a hose from the trailer to your engine.  Oh, and by the way- the trailer needs tires, license, insurance and tax.”  Some people might go for it but it crosses a mental line I’ve drawn in the sand. Another anti-vibration platform, another SDFB, two more power cords, another tube upgrade, another outlet, another power switch.

I personally prefer diode rectification for its speed. The DGR is a great idea but the execution needs some work. Incorporate it into the amp. For those enjoying it, I’m happy for you. It’s just too excessive for me. Just my opinion.  :)

LiquidBlue wrote on 10/07/26 at 03:23:31:


I notice no heat difference in the room using either the DGR or the rectifier. Guess I'm lucky.

For curiosity sake I thought I would take a couple of crude measurements comparing the heat on my DGR 845 and a 5U4G in my Taboo.  After 10 minutes of warm up (on each tube) I placed a thermometer on the top glass of the tube.  ~ Results = DGR 215 degrees and 5U4G 160 degrees.  Also, when I place my hand over or around the tubes the 845 feels slightly warmer than the 5U4G.  I don’t really notice any discernible difference in room heat.  The real news is that the DGR sounds considerable better than a 5U4G in my Taboo.  The DGR and Taboo are mates for life.  
I also prefer that the DGR is a separate component.  It allows me to move it around and use it on other components or in the event I upgrade components in the future.

1. I am using my new DynaGrid Jr (#39) in my SE84UFO25 amp.

2. It replaced a long used Psvane 5U4 rectifier that came with the amp. I have also used the Globe 80 and Sophia Electric Aqua II 274B ($250) in the past.

3. For me, it is hard to say what I hear different. I am not sure that I want be that analytical on day one. I will leave that to others. The amp was good with a rectifier, and it is good now with the DynaGrid Jr. I may weigh in later after living with it for a while.