5AR4 VS GZ34 rectifiers Differences?

[EataPeach]

Are there any? More head room over the other?

[Old Tele man]

...GZ34 is European designation and 5AR4 is USA designation...otherwise, same tube.

...ie: USA-"...six..." vs. European "...half-dozen."

...samething for 6CA7/EL34 and 6BQ5/EL84, etc.

[EataPeach]

Thanks- I just retubed my amp and replaced the stock 5AR4 with a JJ GZ34-The JJ is bigger,so it got my curiousity going..Thanks again

[phsyconoodler]

Not true.The GZ34 is different than the 5AR4.It has different letters on it.

[jlummaa]

Different GZ34s and 5AR4s may have different specs (voltage drop etc.). I have had Sovteks and JJs. At least my AC30CC2 was running way hotter with JJ than with Sovtek. I have understood that the JJ is nearer Mullard spec. Quite high quality too.

[Old Tele man]

Originally Posted by jlummaa

Different GZ34s and 5AR4s may have different specs (voltage drop etc.). I have had Sovteks and JJs. At least my AC30CC2 was running way hotter with JJ than with Sovtek. I have understood that the JJ is nearer Mullard spec. Quite high quality too.

..."yes...and...no" that is, "yes" because they might have differing operating specs because of production variances and tolerances, but "no" because they're SUPPOSED to have identical characteristics if they're using the same designations, ie: all 5U4GA's should be same, and all 5U4GB's should be same, but 5U4GA's and 5U4GB's will be (somewhat) different.