Effect Of Rectifier Tubes on A Phono Preamp's Sound

kleinbje

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Dec 20, 2012
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I just got some 417a's for my Lamm LP2, I know they should improve on the Amperex 5842 in there now, but I was curious about changing the rectifier tube. I know it converts ac to dc and can limit current in amps, but a phono pre I think would have very low current draw. Anyone hear changes in a phono pre when changing rectifiers. Currently it has a amperex 6X4, I bought a GE6X4 nos from the 50's as a back up, but was curious about any sonic impacts it may have. Anyone know these tubes and have any thoughts or advice?
 

Steve Williams

Site Founder, Site Owner, Administrator
I just got some 417a's for my Lamm LP2, I know they should improve on the Amperex 5842 in there now, but I was curious about changing the rectifier tube. I know it converts ac to dc and can limit current in amps, but a phono pre I think would have very low current draw. Anyone hear changes in a phono pre when changing rectifiers. Currently it has a amperex 6X4, I bought a GE6X4 nos from the 50's as a back up, but was curious about any sonic impacts it may have. Anyone know these tubes and have any thoughts or advice?

Vladimir knows how to select his tubes. Used his products for years and the only tube I have ever rolled is the 12AX7 in my amp for which I use an NOS Tele ECC803S (the Holy Grail)
 

jazdoc

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Aug 7, 2010
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I love my mercury vapor 394a rectifiers
 

rockitman

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Sep 20, 2011
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For my Phono Preamp (Allnic H5000 DHT), the rectifier choice has a dramatic impact on the sound. I can use GZ32, GZ34 and GZ37 tubes in addition to 5Y3 and 5U4GB. I have tried them all with various brands...Philips/Valvo, Mullard, RCA, GE, Tele, ect. My current favorite is a 1953 RCA big bottle 5U4GB tube....followed closely by Mullard GZ37 (1967 tubes).
 

jazdoc

Member Sponsor
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Wait until one of the them breaks open and you have to call in a Haz Mat team.

Ha! The blue flash when they vaporize is always a crowd pleaser!
 

mep

Member Sponsor & WBF Founding Member
Apr 20, 2010
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Ha! The blue flash when they vaporize is always a crowd pleaser!

How geeky is that? "Hey man, watch my tube rectifier flash!"
 

kleinbje

Well-Known Member
Dec 20, 2012
181
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923
CT
alright clearly it is time to roll! Just put the 417a in, omg , so mucht better than the amperex 5842's I had in, maybe more color too, but it is definitely to my liking and what LAMM had in mind as he designed the amp for them. It takes a 6x4, have an amperex in now and bought a Ge 6X4 from '52, I will probably roll that in once the 417a have a 100 hours or so of burn in. Don't want to change too many variables.
 

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