Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[bonzo75]

Thanks and is it due to the high gain issue commonly found in RK242 which made you feel unlistenable? I think the RK 242 is a powerful and dynamic tube which perfectly match with GZ480 in GG2 to get that “alive” tone, All of the others tube I tried are too “slow” when compare with this combo, really want to find something similar as backup,

The 242 when they don't match can distort and be aggressive or be overly flat. They have to get the right match with the pre to do their magic

 

[highstream]

Embarrassed... I had an RK Anniversary edition recti early last year and confused the versions. It was actually a 5U4G. I don’t know if there’s a house sound, but I found the 5U4G tonally cool, i.e., “neutral,” and in that sense completely uninvolving, great PRAT aside. I prefer modestly warm, room for a bit of sweetness, as a starting point.

 

[Bobofei86]

Embarrassed... I had an RK Anniversary edition recti early last year and confused the versions. It was actually a 5U4G. I don’t know if there’s a house sound, but I found the 5U4G tonally cool, i.e., “neutral,” and in that sense completely uninvolving, great PRAT aside. I prefer modestly warm, room for a bit of sweetness, as a starting point.

Agreed that RK5u4g is quite analytical and not that tasty, you can try Mullard GZ34 which gave me that kind of ‘vinyl’ feeling

 

[Bobofei86]

The 242 when they don't match can distort and be aggressive or be overly flat. They have to get the right match with the pre to do their magic

Facing the same challenge now and very difficult to find the preamp, tried FM and Bespoke but the direct out from GG2 is much better than both of them, going to try Bricasti M20 soon and looking at: Audionet, CH and Pilium as well, I know it’s a bit obsessed but I won’t change the 242 to suit the preamp

 

[bonzo75]

Facing the same challenge now and very difficult to find the preamp, tried FM and Bespoke but the direct out from GG2 is much better than both of them, going to try Bricasti M20 soon and looking at: Audionet, CH and Pilium as well, I know it’s a bit obsessed but I won’t change the 242 to suit the preamp

Yes that's the right way, but if someone has not experienced what the 242 can do, they will just switch over to another tube with their existing preamp. The 242 is an anomaly so our other experiences don't prepare us to prioritise a tube this way

 

[JSA]

Agreed that RK5u4g is quite analytical and not that tasty, you can try Mullard GZ34 which gave me that kind of ‘vinyl’ feeling

I don't have much experience with NOS rectifiers, however from new production I have tried almost everything available. I find Psvane 274B ACME and then Linlai Elite 274B far superior compared to various 5U4G and 274 from EML and KR (even Lampi special and anniversary editions). It is the same experience with Pacific and GG2. KR242 are the driver tubes (sometimes KR242RK however I prefer KR242 regular edition). Wavac MD805 (directly from Lampi with volume control) is the power monoblocks.

 

[Golum]

Did some tube rolling game yesterday (rectifiers) and on the league of its own is WE274b engraved base followed by RCA 5u4g top getter and Marconi 5u4g. ACME 274b leaner then those, GEC U52, Philips 5u4g too heavy sounding with restricted top end. I'm super sorry I don't have TungSol 5u4g top getter to play with. Kicking $$$ in the equation RCA and Marconi by far best buy. Comparison done with EML 45 Globe Ann output tubes and 3 pairs of ears present

 

[Jazzhead]

Did some tube rolling game yesterday (rectifiers) and on the league of its own is WE274b engraved base followed by RCA 5u4g top getter and Marconi 5u4g. ACME 274b leaner then those, GEC U52, Philips 5u4g too heavy sounding with restricted top end. I'm super sorry I don't have TungSol 5u4g top getter to play with. Kicking $$$ in the equation RCA and Marconi by far best buy. Comparison done with EML 45 Globe Ann output tubes and 3 pairs of ears present

Is the WE 274b from Psvane?

 

[RDSChicago]

Is the WE 274b from Psvane?

Sounds like Goran is referring to the original WE.

 

[highstream]

One recently went for $2K on eBay.

 

[Golum]

Is the WE 274b from Psvane?

Nope “The” WE.
When you mentioned PSvane. We compared the structure of WE to Psvane and Psvane is exact replica - same looking plates, filament, etc except the glass envelope…interesting

 

[Bobofei86]

I don't have much experience with NOS rectifiers, however from new production I have tried almost everything available. I find Psvane 274B ACME and then Linlai Elite 274B far superior compared to various 5U4G and 274 from EML and KR (even Lampi special and anniversary editions). It is the same experience with Pacific and GG2. KR242 are the driver tubes (sometimes KR242RK however I prefer KR242 regular edition). Wavac MD805 (directly from Lampi with volume control) is the power monoblocks.

Agreed that ACME274b is much better than RK5u4g, but the best i tried is Shuguang GZ480, unfortunately Shuguang stop the production of gz480 amd we even cant buy in Hong Kong or China now...

 

[Zero000]

If we're back on rectifiers I have found that basically no matter which output tubes I am using, and I have many, I always veer back to my Westinghouse VU71.

They are also fairly cheap. I'd be curious to see what others think about it. Recommended by me, definitely.

That said I just can't bring myself to spend much on rectifiers. Output tubes yes, rectifiers, no.

Will post a pic of one later.

 

[Bobofei86]

If we're back on rectifiers I have found that basically no matter which output tubes I am using, and I have many, I always veer back to my Westinghouse VU71.

They are also fairly cheap. I'd be curious to see what others think about it. Recommended by me, definitely.

That said I just can't bring myself to spend much on rectifiers. Output tubes yes, rectifiers, no.

Will post a pic of one later.

Just search on ebay but not easy to find, any suggestion where can I buy this tube? Thx User211

 

[christoph]

ACME274b is much better than RK5u4g

For me it is the exact opposite.

IME the AME 274b is an "effect" tube (very airy, but hollow in the mids and lean in the upper bass) that I use to compensate for fat and rolled off in the treble output tubes, like the NOS GEC KT66 for example.

The RK 5u4g is very linear and transparent but also robust sounding.
I still like the RK 5u4g very much.

 

[Bobofei86]

For me it is the exact opposite.

IME the AME 274b is a "effect" (very airy, but hollow in the mids and lean in the upper bass) tube that I use to compensate for fat and rolled off in the treble output tubes, like the NOS GEC KT66 for example

The RK 5u4g is very linear and transparent but also robust sounding.
I still like the RK 5u4g very much

Agreed your point and always system dependant

RK242 + RK5u4g becomes too aggressive in my rig and Acme just 'soften' the tone which is more comfortable for long term listening, anyway, GZ480 is still far better than both

 

[christoph]

Anyway, GZ480 is still far better than both

I find the GZ480 far better than the ACME 274b and a little better than the RK 5u4g but unfortunately the GZ480 has become some sort of an unobtainium unicorn

 

[Zero000]

Just search on ebay but not easy to find, any suggestion where can I buy this tube? Thx User211

Matched Pair Westinghouse Radiotron Canada 5U4G VU71 Valves Tubes (V23) | eBay

Matched Pair 5U4G VU71 Valve/Tube Rectifiers. Westinghouse Radiotron Canada. As Per Photo. Clean Bright Print on Bases.

www.ebay.co.uk

 

[Bobofei86]

Matched Pair Westinghouse Radiotron Canada 5U4G VU71 Valves Tubes (V23) | eBay

Matched Pair 5U4G VU71 Valve/Tube Rectifiers. Westinghouse Radiotron Canada. As Per Photo. Clean Bright Print on Bases.

www.ebay.co.uk

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/184962870002?hash=item2b10a56af2:g:YqIAAOSw5dNWn7TF - cheap option!

Thanks so much and just placed rhe order

 

[Zero000]

Thanks so much and just placed rhe order

Glad you bought those the 2nd link was wrong!

Now removed, but I noticed it sold. I have a spare so if you bought it on my recommendation contact me and I'll send it to you if you pay postage. Sorry about that!