Which rectifier tube?

[corbato]

I am about to start putting together a Phono+Line Stage project using a combination of 6SL7’s and 6SN7’s. I’m wondering what will be the best rectifier in the PS. Currenty I have several of them and all NOS.

EZ81/80. Mullard and BEL
5Y4G. GE
5W4. Metal Shell Ken-Rad JAN.

I’m inclined towards the 5W4 since I have almost a dozen of them. But is it the right choice? Some people have issues with Metal Shell. Besides not being able to see the electrons flow, is there any significant drawback that will dis-recommend this tube for audio gear?

Thanks.

 

[SHiFTY]

EZ80. 🙂

For a couple of reasons:

1) you don't need a separate 5V winding, the EZ80 heater can just be connected to all the other 6V heaters.

2) it has a slow warmup characteristic, whereas the others are pretty much instant on. This means you won't get 150% voltage surge at turn on...

 

[corbato]

EZ80. 🙂

And sonics wise ??

Thanks

 

[Alain Favret]

5U4

Hi,
I learned there may be differences in swiching behavior and 5U4 has a slow one. It takes around 30 Volts to switch, which property seems desirable to me. It also makes the vacuum diode less efficient.
I plan using it but have not compared the result with an efficient one.