Lampizator Valve / Tube Rolling Review Thread

[sbnx]

After over 50 pages of this thread would one of you guys mind posting a summary of what worked Best/really well in systems? We have rectifiers -- ACME, Taka 274B, KR 5U4G, … Then for output tubes so many that my head spins.

 

[Zero000]

Ah should have been clearer on the adapters sorry, UX4 (4 pin) rectifiers to octal.

So first impressions of the UK military KV378! I've not done extensive comparisons with the ACME in a long listening session but here's what I've found. I also picked up the new version of this, which is terrible and not worth bothering with, so if you're looking for one be careful to get it right.

Soundstage
Expansive and not lacking at all. On the cheaper valves I find they sound smaller and more compressed. None of those issues here. Sound is diffused properly making the speakers disappear. This appears to be the equivalent of the ACME 274b which is the best one I have in this regard. The GZ34 which I reviewed earlier is flat in comparison to the ACME and this.

Sound
The biggest difference with this valve compared to the ACME is the sound in the range of the vocals, snare drums and cymbals. It has tremendous clarity and is the most real sounding I've heard. I find a lot of valves can warm up the sound (just like the GZ34) i.e. distort. This can be good but often results in vocals sounding really good, but drums sounding a little washed out and not as real. The valve gives the most accurate sound I've heard with tremendous separation and decay. There is no blur whatsoever. Reverb on vocals becomes highly accurate and noticeable. This is like a window into the original recording. The valve isn't bright per se but this is it's stand out quality.

Bass
Deep bass is the equivalent of the ACME. Upper bass is more accurate but you lose some of the valve magic. I actually like the soft kick drum sound, which isn't exactly accurate but is a personal preference.

Summary
This is a stunningly good tube. I have heard that some of the older Mullards are warm but this is anything but that. The ACME is also superb so this is not a criticism. The GZ34 is entirely a different type of sound trading soundstage and clarity for warmth. As with all these things it will come down to personal taste.

Check out post 1088 if you missed it I am convinced more so that is a great recti for £20.

It had a huge troop of Head-Fi people raving about it. Hard to ignore.

 

[Zero000]

After over 50 pages of this thread would one of you guys mind posting a summary of what worked Best/really well in systems? We have rectifiers -- ACME, Taka 274B, KR 5U4G, … Then for output tubes so many that my head spins.

I reckon the following seem most liked of the easy to get modern production. But IMHO they are a distance from the best NOS valves.

EML Globe Mesh 45
KR 242 and PX25 but not RK versions.

Though GM45 isn't that easy but Lucasz may have some.

 

[Tim F]

Check out post 1088 if you missed it I am convinced more so that is a great recti for £20.

It had a huge troop of Head-Fi people raving about it. Hard to ignore.

I can try it... most of the cheaper ones haven't been good. What are you / they comparing this against? Cheers, Tim

 

[Tim F]

Anyone compared the KR 242 RK Limited Series versus the standard 242?

Cheers, Tim

 

[adamaley]

There are more scattered comparisons that are Golden Gate related in the TRP thread that you can glean from.

 

[Charlie B.]

Thank you! As you can see I don´t have any tube knowledge. It was just a tube I stumbled upon on eBay.

 

[Zero000]

I can try it... most of the cheaper ones haven't been good. What are you / they comparing this against? Cheers, Tim

I don't think price is relevant when it comes to the sound quality of valves. Supply and demand sets the price. Plus some brands and scarce valves get elevated to almost God like status.

It's very easy to think cheap is bad and expensive is good, but in decades I simply have not found that to be the case in practise.

Anyway, I preferred the masher to the KR 5U4G in my system, and Ked did too. For some reason it just works well. But that Mullard is better subjectively. Others I have are FIVRE 5U4G (nice), RCA 5U4G (nothing special but OK), Sylvania 5931, EML 274B (sold when I got the masher, which I preferred by a big margin really) etc I do have a few more. Westinghouse 5U4G arriving soon.

I am currently running the Mullard from post 1088 with Loewe AD1/400. And it is very, very nice indeed. I'll post a compare with my current reference the Tesla AD1(n) when I get round to doing it but it should be within a week.

 

[sbnx]

Anyway, I preferred the masher to the KR 5U4G in my system, and Ked did too. .

Can you explain, what is "the masher"?

 

[sbnx]

Is the "masher" the Raytheon 5R4WGA?

 

[Zero000]

Mine are branded Chatham. But yes that's a masher.

 

[Tim F]

Yes SBNX. I believe there are slight variations on this valve as well, earlier version etc.

I think to answer some of your questions. Following are my opinions and findings. Others here such as Goran and User211 above are very experienced and can provide really good advice.

There is a synergy between rectifiers and outputs tubes. You cannot simply apply rectifier X is universally the best when you are using different output tubes. I run KR242 output tubes and a Golden Gate 2. I run a full range very transparent and pretty neutral system, I use valves but throughout have gone for valves typically described as neutral. If you had a bass light system you may enjoy a fatter bass in order to balance that out, or a brighter system you may prefer a darker sounding valve. Therefore my review comments are within that context only.

Don't just look for "I like x", but try and understand the review comments and see if it matches your personal taste and your hifi. Just because someone likes a warm sound doesn't mean you will.

In my context (ONLY) I have not liked any of the cheaper valves. The older Westinghouse 5u4g with orange lettering has been the best of the cheaper ones at around £70. Of the other cheaper ones I have FIVRE 5u4g, potato masher, Philips 5R4GYS, Mullard thin body CV378, shuguang 274b (cheap!), GEC thin body U54. The majority of these collapse the soundstage with no real benefits that I can see.

The standard choice around here is the ACME 274b and is the place I would start if you are looking for a great all round valve. I don't own Tak but I think it has split opinions a bit with a forward midrange, and the RK (again I don't own) is usually described as a bit darker sounding than the ACME.

Cheers, Tim

 

[Tim F]

Where are you guys typically sourcing valves from? Ebay is an obvious one and I see the classifieds on this forum but it doesn't have much in it. The specialist valves by KR etc. don't show up often on pinkfish, hifiwigwam etc. I'm UK based.

 

[Zero000]

eBay mainly.

Got Westinghouse two for £45 from AoS plus the Sylvania rectifier two for £50 same seller.

Your Mullard is essentially a GZ37 and can be had NOS for around £70. Or am I wrong?

 

[Tim F]

The Mullard you're talking about at that price is the thin body. I have one of these and it isn't worth bothering with on my set up, I will give it some more time but initial tests are far from positive. The one I reviewed (see pictures for full detail) is very rare and I could see only one at £400 on ebay (from memory).

I believe Westinghouse come in different versions, I got mine on recommendation from someone experienced who suggested orange / red lettering versions are best. I have no idea why, I never read up on it.

 

[Zero000]

Tim please try mine. Love to hear what you think about it. Appreciate total honesty feel free to say you don't like it but I think you probably will like it.

I can PM you the seller.

£20. Can't lose.

 

[sbnx]

On the topic of GZ480. Comparison done by my buddy Fabio in GA+ TRP:
“Did a quick rectifier shootout with GZ480, RK5U4G, ACME274 and Taka.
The GZ480 has the treble extension of the ACME but the presence and midrange fullness of the Taka at the same time. Bass is super precise and controlled. It has the lowest noise floor and reveals the most details. The RK5U4G sounds good as always but is slightly flatter in the presentation. The sound is very clean and most SS-like of the bunch. The mid-range focus of the Taka does not help her in the new setting. It lacks a bit the openeness and transient response. I don’t get the same live-event feeling like with the GZ480”

is this the SG GZ480?
Thanks
Todd

 

[Jazzhead]

Is the "masher" the Raytheon 5R4WGA?

+1 for the Masher... The Raytheon provides a lovely full tone to complement the KR242 in my GG1 . Runs much hotter too, compared to the KR5u4g. My preferred combo for Classical , Acoustic fare.

 

[Golum]

is this the SG GZ480?
Thanks
Todd

Yes, Shuguang GZ480

Cheers;
G

 

[highstream]

Doing a search for GZ480, I found only a reference to a Shuguang one on eBay. Using that name I found a news listing from 2018, but that’s it, other than reference to this forum. Anyone find anything more definitive?