DHT OTL Linestage - Tram 2

[ptashton]

If you can, only listen to the tubes as they must sound very good to you.Ask your friends if they have the U52 tubes to listen to.

Peter

[kazap]

Originally Posted by ptashton

If you can, only listen to the tubes as they must sound very good to you.Ask your friends if they have the U52 tubes to listen to.

Peter

Peter, can I please listen to your NOS GEC U52. I only need it for a year or two,

[kazap]

.... Im getting Morten's Russian rectifiers:



,,,,Morten did you get the older 1950's/1960's black plate type as reviewed here?
Eventually Peter and I might be able to compare the U52 vs the Russian.

A data sheet for the U52 states its a "half wave rectifier" while the 5U4G is a "full wave". I wonder what that means and if it would make any difference to the sound?

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by kazap

....
,,,,Morten did you get the older 1950's/1960's black plate type as reviewed here?

To be honest: I don't know...

These rectifiers should be considered good NOS standard types, and extremely good value. Don't buy them as the best of the best like the ones Peter is talking about.

[ptashton]

Hugh and Morten, the Russian 5U4 rectifiers pictured, sound very average compared to the GEC U52 tube. The U52 tube was extremely quiet and extremely musical. I did not believe it until I heard it myself. There must be other musical rectifier tubes. If anyone has tried the U52 and other 5U4 equivalent tubes, please speak up. The GZ37 and GZ33 tubes are interesting as promising alternates.

Peter

[kazap]

Originally Posted by ptashton

Hugh and Morten, the Russian 5U4 rectifiers pictured, sound very average compared to the GEC U52 tube. The U52 tube was extremely quiet and extremely musical. I did not believe it until I heard it myself. There must be other musical rectifier tubes. If anyone has tried the U52 and other 5U4 equivalent tubes, please speak up. The GZ37 and GZ33 tubes are interesting as promising alternates.

Peter

I wonder how the U52 will sound with the Coleman Regulators and 2A3 tubes?

[Desmo]

Send me one of those U52 rectifier tubes and I will tell you

[Desmo]

Originally Posted by ptashton

Hugh and Morten, the Russian 5U4 rectifiers pictured, sound very average compared to the GEC U52 tube. The U52 tube was extremely quiet and extremely musical. Peter

Yes, I got the message (I also got it the first, and the second time you mentioned it) From your enhusiasm about them, they must be really good..!

[ptashton]

The GEC labelled U52 brown base, black plate, 'D' Getter with manufacturers 'KB/Z' rectifiers has a fast dynamic sound which Steve Garland who has heard my Tram2 said this tube would be a very good combination in my system. The Osram labelled U52 with brown base, black plate, 'D' Getter without the 'KB/Z' labeled have a lush, full bodied and slower sound. It all depends on your taste of how you like your music to sound. I will ask him on his pick of non U52 tubes that would suit the tram2 pre-amp. More later.

Peter

[ptashton]

I spoke to Steve again and he said the Creme De La Creme of U52 tubes are the NOS 'D' getter Genelex Lion U52 tubes. If you can not afford these tubes or the GEC U52 variants, go for the Tung-sol 5U4G with top getter. Even Tung-sol 5U4GB tubes have a punchy bass according to Re: Genalex Gold Lion U52 vs. GEC U52? - Robert H. - Tubes Asylum

All the best

Peter