I guess you want to place the recti in your Lampi DAC?
What model of Lampi DAC you have?
In our big 3 Lampi and 1000 tubes compare, we all liked the RK KR 5u4g the best.
This is with one caveat, though. We didn't have a Takatsuki 274b recti to compare and that is a very highly rated rectifier tube.
I had a potatoe masher on a test long time ago, don't remember why, but didn't choose it. At the moment traces generally go to Mullard.
GZ series or CV378 ?
These old, old tubes are so attractive to me, like good old bottle of red wine. They have their long story behind, a secret mystery. I can feel that story, feel those years. They create some magic cloud around the music. Yes, they just do have a soul and It's just what I like.
Trab I can say that I understand you and your quest. There is some magic with those NOS tubes. Honestly I use the new production tubes but have a few of those NOS ones. Both version of potato masher (A and B) and I love them, Mullard GZ34 (First Watt) from '60s which I would say is nothing special, they say metal base is great recti but outrageously priced so I'll skip it, Brimar which you are mentioning is great and I love it. Also good one is 5R4-GY from WW2 era. I tried Mullard GZ37 (nothing special). Choice is really huge but beside the recti tube you need to hit the sweet spot with DHT counterpart to release the magic out of Lampi.
Thank you Golum for sharing your broad experience. That is nice.
And yeah ... I have a balanced version so, quad hurts : )
That news about GZ37 isn't good. Today I will get an offer for Mullard CV378 black base from early 50's. That's the GZ37 variation.
Life is not so easy !
By the way, I wish I had your dac for a while to compare ... or take mine to you.
... In this moment a thought crossed my mind, connected with my skiing plans for this season : )
Can't say my experience is huge but I tried few at my place as well as at fellow Lampi owners places (Christoph, Wisnon) and I can say that their experience is broader than mine for sure. I know Wisnon loves some Mazda double mica recti but can't remember which one.
Huh balanced - had GG1 balanced which I was chasing as my system is fully balanced. After a while it became clear that i don't need volume control and quad of tubes just kills the entire fun of tube rolling so i swapped it for GG2 SE and without volume control. Pure bliss .
Comparison wise I'm always open for those things so send me PM and lets see if we can come up with something.
Cheers;
G
P.S. That Mullard might prove to work great in your combo