Looking for 6X5 rectifier recommendation

GlennDog

The only rectifier experience I've had was when I replaced the JJ 5AR4 in my Cary with a 1960s Mullard. SQ improved immediately

I'd like to replace the stock Russian 6U5C that's in my DAC

I'm looking at these 8 choices, sans the 1st offering (Bendix won't work properly). I'm thinking of 4 maybe 5 to try. Unless, those that know rec getting one of each

http://www.nostubestore.com/search/label/6X5

I've got no complaints with the way the rig is sounding these days. I just cannot climb out of this rabbit hole ... and I expect NOS to improve SQ

Boy, am I glad the 6X5s are away less expensive than the Mullard/Ameprex 5AR4s!!

Thanks in Advance!!

pitdogg2

Raytheon or Hytron would be my first picks. Might as well try Sylvania. At those prices it's almost cheating.😉

I found in the 5ar4 the Sylvania fat bottles are sweet.

GlennDog

pitdogg2 wrote: »

Raytheon or Hytron would be my first picks. Might as well try Sylvania. At those prices it's almost cheating.😉

Yeah, compared to what I’m used to paying, $20 a pop is cheap! I might go hogwild and get one of each. I dunno, yet

pitdogg2 wrote: »

I found in the 5ar4 the Sylvania fat bottles are sweet.

Good to know. thanks for the tip Ivan!

pitdogg2

Yea I hear you. The cheapest nos 5ar4 I've bought was 65.00. Those sylvania bottles are about 100 bucks a pop

GlennDog

weekend bump

Anyone else with 6X5 experience? TIA

mhardy6647

I thought you were buyin' some 20 buck ones!?

I was gonna offer to send you some used ones to try -- but it sounded like you had a path forward (as they used to say when I was in the for profit world) already.

I know nothin' about 'em because there are almost no components here that use a 6X5. I think the EICO RP100 has one in it... but I am not 100% sure.

EICO RP100 rear flash by Mark Hardy, on Flickr

The bias oscillator in the RP100 is tube(d) -- everything else is soiled solid state.

I do know I have some pulls (plinkers) in the basement. I absolutely can test some and send you one or two good ones (I assume one or two of 'em are good!) for the price of postage to play with if'n you like... but otherwise:

GlennDog

I loved Hogans Heroes! Sgt. Hans Schultz ... Wunderbar!

I appreciate the offer Doc! However, I’m just looking for recommendations from those “that know”…
Prolly gonna spring for a half dozen and call it a day. That should keep me rolll’n till the pandemic freezes over ❄️

mhardy6647

Sounds like a good plan.
It is not (IME, at any rate) a commonly used rectifier in audio (at least, it wasn't in the old days), so it's kind of in a gulch when it comes to tube lore.
Hmm... tube lore... did you look at VTV to see if they ever discussed 'em?
I am gonna take a look myself... right about now...

EDIT: I came up dry -- but, FWIW, you can access/download a searchable index to the whole, regrettably somewhat short run of VTV at http://www.tubecollectors.org/archives/VTVDEXnu.pdf

And most of the issues of VTV (maybe all...?) are available in PDF form at
https://worldradiohistory.com/Archive-All-Audio/Vacuum-Tube-Valley.htm

My apologies if this is all old news -- and/or if it is of no interest.

dhart86

GlennDog,
I haven't been on the forum for a while but I saw your thread and wanted to chime in. I currently have a 6x5 TungSol and a Brimar rectifier tube. I especially love the fullness the brimar adds to the sound. Yes I have found the rec tubes definately impact the sound. I had an Lampizator Amber 3 tube dac that I used them in.
Both tubes were really good for opposite reasons. The TungSol was very detailed and dynamic. Anyway, I have both tubes but sold the dac. So I have not had equipment to use them in. I used to have a WrightSound WLA 12A pre amp that used 6x5 rec tubes. I had a Mullard back then. Very good much like the Brimar. If your interested in the Brimar or TungSol shoot me a PM

invalid

I have to agree that different rectifier tubes can really change the sound. I have a preamp that uses a 274b rectifier tube, talk about expensive for nos. I ended up buying an outboard rectifier unit that plugs into the rectifier socket on the preamp, now two $10 tubes for that unit beat any nos tubes that I had tried in the pre.

GlennDog

dhart86 wrote: »

GlennDog,. If your interested in the Brimar or TungSol shoot me a PM

PM Sent

GlennDog

invalid wrote: »

I have to agree that different rectifier tubes can really change the sound. I have a preamp that uses a 274b rectifier tube, talk about expensive for nos. I ended up buying an outboard rectifier unit that plugs into the rectifier socket on the preamp, now two $10 tubes for that unit beat any nos tubes that I had tried in the pre.

I was unaware of such a thing! Awesome!

GlennDog

Welp. I made an executive decision and went with these 4 flavors:

RCA 6X5GT Black Plates 1956
UNITED ELECTRON 6X5WGT 1950's
Hytron JAN CHY 6X5GT Early 1950s
RAYTHEON JAN CRP 6X5WGT

I'm not really expecting a huge change, but ya never know! Going NOS vs modern Russian must make an improvement
They should land (hopefully gently) this Monday

invalid

GlennDog wrote: »

Welp. I made an executive decision and went with these 4 flavors:

RCA 6X5GT Black Plates 1956
UNITED ELECTRON 6X5WGT 1950's
Hytron JAN CHY 6X5GT Early 1950s
RAYTHEON JAN CRP 6X5WGT

I'm not really expecting a huge change, but ya never know! Going NOS vs modern Russian must make an improvement
They should land (hopefully gently) this Monday

Now you have a variety.

dromunds

I’m intrigued as to how the Hytrons will sound