Is a 5AR4 exactly the same as a GZ34?

[Mickey64]

I'm looking to buy a NOS rectifier for my Dr Z Maz Sr. It takes a 5AR4, but can I fit a GZ34 in its place? Am I correct in saying that GZ34 is simply the European name for a 5AR4?

[Mickey64]

Thank you!

[donnyjaguar]

Don't pay too much. After all a GZ34 is inferior to 4x 1N4007 diodes (about a dollar total) in every regard.

[davemccarthy707]

Originally Posted by donnyjaguar

Don't pay too much. After all a GZ34 is inferior to 4x 1N4007 diodes (about a dollar total) in every regard.

Oh man! you better put on your asbestos flame suit

[Ronsonic]

Originally Posted by donnyjaguar

Don't pay too much. After all a GZ34 is inferior to 4x 1N4007 diodes (about a dollar total) in every regard.

Those 1N4007 have such a smoothly controlled warm-up and ramp the voltage up extra gently.

[donnyjaguar]

Haha! My point was to not get too absorbed in the vintage vibe of it all.

[tookermel]

One of those mislabeled Philips/Sylvania 5AR4's worked really well in the Maz Jr. I had. So did the NOS Mullard - big difference in price, though - 'bout $80 vs. $200. Not a hugely perceivable difference, though - I think that's the point donnyjaguar's trying to make. Get a good one for reliability sake - it's not necessarily gonna make your Maz sound like a better amp. It will work better, and some will even say it does change the sound drastically - but it's all subjective. The rectifier will change the feel of the amp way moreso than the tone. It'll feel either stiffer or saggier, depending on the tube.

Good luck with it!
-Tookermel

[Blue Strat]

Originally Posted by donnyjaguar

Haha! My point was to not get too absorbed in the vintage vibe of it all.

You mean besides the fact that NOS rectifiers last about 10-20 times longer, on average?

[Blue Strat]

Originally Posted by tookermel

One of those mislabeled Philips/Sylvania 5AR4's worked really well in the Maz Jr. I had. So did the NOS Mullard - big difference in price, though - 'bout $80 vs. $200. Not a hugely perceivable difference, though - I think that's the point donnyjaguar's trying to make. Get a good one for reliability sake - it's not necessarily gonna make your Maz sound like a better amp. It will work better, and some will even say it does change the sound drastically - but it's all subjective. The rectifier will change the feel of the amp way moreso than the tone. It'll feel either stiffer or saggier, depending on the tube.

Good luck with it!
-Tookermel

You're comparing 2 NOS tubes so the difference will be minimal.

The biggest difference is in moving from a new production tube to any NOS tube.

[wizard333]

a GZ34 is inferior to 4x 1N4007 diodes (about a dollar total) in every regard

Wrong wrong wrong wrong, and wrong.

GZ34 advantages:
1) Turns on slow, protects other components
2) Has very little "sag" at all when compared to silicon
3) I've measured consistently lower ripple vs silicon

Only disadvantage is the cost.

A GZ34 is an excellent rectifier solution.

[Blue Strat]

Originally Posted by wizard333

Wrong wrong wrong wrong, and wrong.

GZ34 advantages:
1) Turns on slow, protects other components
2) Has very little "sag" at all when compared to silicon
3) I've measured consistently lower ripple vs silicon

Only disadvantage is the cost.

A GZ34 is an excellent rectifier solution.

Time for an irony detector tuneup

[tookermel]

You're comparing 2 NOS tubes so the difference will be minimal.

One of those mislabeled Philips/Sylvania 5AR4's worked really well in the Maz Jr. I had. So did the NOS Mullard - big difference in price, though - 'bout $80 vs. $200. Not a hugely perceivable difference, though - I think that's the point donnyjaguar's trying to make. Get a good one for reliability sake - it's not necessarily gonna make your Maz sound like a better amp. It will work better, and some will even say it does change the sound drastically - but it's all subjective. The rectifier will change the feel of the amp way moreso than the tone. It'll feel either stiffer or saggier, depending on the tube.

Haha! My point was to not get too absorbed in the vintage vibe of it all.

Exactly the point I was trying to make, Mike - which is the same one donnyjaguar's trying to make, which is to perhaps help save the guy some money, IF he's enamored with the NOS ones and has to have one. If comparing NOS to NOS is minimal, then why spend $200 on a Mullard when you can get a great one for less than half that?

-Tookermel

[Mickey64]

Well, I didn't realise this thread was still going until now....I bought a NOS Mullard GZ34 to replace the stock Sovtek 5AR4, and each time I use the amp I'm thinking I prefer the Sovtek. All the evidence points to the Mullard being the better choice, but I seem to be hearing a stiffer, more brittle tone with less sag, just not as nice. It's subtle, but it's there. I'm going to put the Sovtek back in for tomorrow's gig, and see.

Are my ears deceiving me?

[aportilla]

Originally Posted by Mickey64

Well, I didn't realise this thread was still going until now....I bought a NOS Mullard GZ34 to replace the stock Sovtek 5AR4, and each time I use the amp I'm thinking I prefer the Sovtek. All the evidence points to the Mullard being the better choice, but I seem to be hearing a stiffer, more brittle tone with less sag, just not as nice. It's subtle, but it's there. I'm going to put the Sovtek back in for tomorrow's gig, and see.

Are my ears deceiving me?

Hi Mickey,
For some players more sag is good
Alex

[Buddy Boy]

I have a Mesa branded Sovtec 5Ar4 that I keep as a spare. It sounds fine. Sure I prefer (and play) Mullards. My tech has come up with a couple of real nice pulls for me, and I bought one here off the Emporium that was like new(label and all ). In a pinch, the Russian will do the job, tho. However, I would try to get them as cheap as possible, because it's not going to last like a NOS. I have some friends who actually prefer Phillips/Sylvania's.