Quote:
Originally Posted by SteveSem
Interesting. I don't have a 5Z4. Is there a particular brand you like? I've been very happy with NOS RCA, including the 5U4G that I'm currently using. My driver is NOS Brimar 6SL7. I don't have KT66, but I do have a set of new Gold Lion KT77s that I have never tried. Maybe it is time to break them out.
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For some reason, my two 5Z3 (5U4G) alternatives are rather dull. One is NOS RCA and the other is an even older NOS RAD-TEL, which sounds better than the RCA but not at par with my other rectifiers. Funny!
The 5Z4 I have is a Brimar, mica base (not metal base). Excellent rectifier with all my output tubes. It even competes with the excellent Westinghouse/Amperex 5AR4 when paired with the KT88. I find it a go-to rectifier with everything except, of course, the RCA G ST, which requires the 80 (5Y3) rectifier.
Why is this so? I really don't understand it. The 5U4G (5Z3) is supposed to be the best with 6V6/6L6, but I did not find them even close to the above pairing ... Funny indeed!
The KT77 is supposed to resemble the EL34, which has a specific sound which may or may not convince everyone. In my setup, I find the 6V6/6L6 great but I miss the body and dynamics of the KT88, which in turn masks some of the finer details, unfortunately. So, I would like to try the KT66, which hopefully will bring on the best of those two tube families.
I also found the 274-B that I disliked up to recently to work very well with most output tubes when paired with the right input tube, a variable that in itself opens up a new can of worms ...
I think tube-rolling is fun, but not necessary if you are comfortable with the sound you have. In my case, I'm always striving for that next upgrade level ...
