Using a 5Y3G in place of a 5Y3GT

I will throw out some info and suggestions, and then I hope one of the resident tube gurus will chime in and give their take. I know a thing or two, but am no expert.

I believe that the circuitry of the 5Y3G or 5Y3GT is identical, but the suffix just refers to the glass envelope shape. If this affects sound much, I'd be surprised.

I really don't like 5Y3s much in general. I would much prefer to use 5V4 types as I like the response they give, and they should protect your power tubes more due to slower heat up.

What kind of amp are you using the 5Y3s with?

 

Killa-B, it sounds like you know more about vacuum tube rectumfryers than I. Any thoughts on GZ34 vs 5U4G? It strikes me that the GZ34 takes longer to warm up (probably a good thing). In my application the voltage drop of each type of rectifier seems to be very similar and the specifications of both certainly cover off all the current I'm going to need.

 

5U4's have a bigger voltage drop than GZ34s, which also means they sag more under load. I can hear a difference between using a 5U4 and a GZ34 (after rebiasing) in a 50-watt amp, whereas I could never tell much difference between a GZ34 and solid-state rectification.

Shea

 

5Y3G vs 5Y3GT is just ST shape vs straight glass. Careful with 5V4 as they have a much lower current rating.

 

A 5Z4G or GZ30 has pretty much the same ratings as the 5Y3 types, but with an indirectly heated cathode (like the GZ34), which means it takes awhile for high voltage to develop... generally thought to be good for the longevity of the other tubes in the circuit. Also, KCA sells a NOS Mazda 5Y3G that is indirectly heated.

 

Check this for the final word on rectifier swapping.
http://kcanostubes.com/content/newsletter_details.asp?ArticleID=3

 

Hey Mike,
Your rectifier swap page would be even better with some notes on current limits. Sure you can plug a 5AR4 in where a 5Y3 used to be (assuming the rest of the amp will tolerate it), but going the other way can easily lead to 5Y3 meltdown. Same goes for 5V4.

The other tip that I'd offer is to always replace Ck when you change Rk on a cathode biased power section. The bypass cap gets a memory and can fail with a higher bias voltage.

 

Ta Key La really knows his chit. Don't let him fool ya
with that I don't know BS. He's in vino country now...

Howdy there mr tone de Max a mundo. : )

Drink one for the gipper!:BEER
...