erik2A3 Posted June 25, 2014 Share Posted June 25, 2014 (edited) Craig: No doubt the streets of those old forum days were often bumpy and still mostly unpaved. But listen, so you don't have to guess the reason or 'motive' behind the question I asked, let me explain: For one, I am not in the least bit interested in pointing out the limitations of anything (well, that's not entirely true in a certain respect, but I'll get to that...). Every design involves a balancing out of compromises and choices, and my intention was not to describe, reveal, or point out the limitations of cap input ripple filters. They can be just as good as power supplies with a choke after the rectifier. I was going to share that there were a couple of occasions many years ago when I had experienced the same thing with that particular rectifier (GZ37, Mullard). Depending on the amount of input capacitance in use, it can be sensitive to possible failure, just as can any valve rectifier that's working into capacitance well beyond that for which it's rated. And that you already know this was not in contention, either. I knew it at the time,too, and just forgot to double check. I'm human; I made a mistake. What you explained above reminded me of my situation. I made the mistake of sort of 'poo-pooing' the specs on that valve, which I think specifies a max cap input value of only 4uf (I think....I'm going from memory but it's been a long time). I used it in an amp I had made some changes in, which previously used both a 5AR4 and subsequently significantly higher capacitance. The GZ37 failed fairly quickly, and I had just bought it -- you know those Mullards can be expensive. Most of what I have learned about tube audio electronics has come from my own research; from what others who know (and still know...) considerably more about it than do I; and to a great extent from my own mistakes and failures. This was one such failure, and I was disappointed. The GZ37 is not only a really fine rectifier, it's also a very elegant-looking one! Edited June 25, 2014 by erik2A3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Khornukopia Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 The first few pages of this thread have a great story and some beautiful tube amp pictures. Even though it is almost two years old, I just became aware of it. My compliments to everyone involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 (edited) Erik, Well I put little faith in man written specs so I always field test. The testing I did with all these rectifiers was to confirm which would work without issue or changes in my amplifiers so I could better advise my customers. I'd rather fry an expensive tube myself then have a customer do it carelessly rolling different rectifier types with wreckless abandon The information on the internet is very merky to say the least on this subject. For instance Upscale audio talks up the Phillips 5R4GYS as a perfect 5AR4/GZ34 plug in replacement which is total BS.....The examples this type of misinformation are endless.... Edited June 26, 2014 by NOSValves Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erik2A3 Posted June 26, 2014 Share Posted June 26, 2014 Craig: I understand what you're saying, and it certainly makes sense to know exactly what will and won't work in a given design. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted June 27, 2014 Share Posted June 27, 2014 Erik all is well in Klipsch land Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1UC Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 After a few months of driving Craig nuts I placed my order today for a pair of VRD's I heard nothing but good about these mono blocks and cant wait to pair them with my NBS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jorjen Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) After a few months of driving Craig nuts I placed my order today for a pair of VRD's I heard nothing but good about these mono blocks and cant wait to pair them with my NBS Prepare to be amazed! Which coupling caps did you decide on? Edited July 7, 2014 by jorjen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paul79 Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 After a few months of driving Craig nuts I placed my order today for a pair of VRD's I heard nothing but good about these mono blocks and cant wait to pair them with my NBS Welcome Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1UC Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 After a few months of driving Craig nuts I placed my order today for a pair of VRD's I heard nothing but good about these mono blocks and cant wait to pair them with my NBS Prepare to be amazed! Which coupling caps did you decide on? Jupiter Copper Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 I am so jealous... we should have ordered them together. how long is the build lead time? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1UC Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 " we should have ordered them together " okay now your creeping me out I'm hoping to see them by the end of August cant wait Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Schu Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) " we should have ordered them together " okay now your creeping me out I'm hoping to see them by the end of August cant wait economies of scale my friend! I can not wait to hear the review. keep us posted. Edited July 7, 2014 by Schu Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1UC Posted July 7, 2014 Share Posted July 7, 2014 " we should have ordered them together " okay now your creeping me out I'm hoping to see them by the end of August cant wait economies of scale my friend! I can not wait to hear the review. keep us posted. economies of scale that was not going to happen trust me Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NOSValves Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 After a few months of driving Craig nuts I placed my order today for a pair of VRD's I heard nothing but good about these mono blocks and cant wait to pair them with my NBS Welcome Now that is oh so appropriate! Funny stuff.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 After a few months of driving Craig nuts I placed my order today for a pair of VRD's I heard nothing but good about these mono blocks and cant wait to pair them with my NBS Welcome Now that is oh so appropriate! Funny stuff.... Yep! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1UC Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Maybe I should give him a call and see how he's coming on them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 The more time he spends on the phone the faster he will get them done, I'm sure! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
A1UC Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 (edited) That's what I was thinking lol I better leave the poor guy alone Edited July 8, 2014 by A1UC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USNRET Posted July 8, 2014 Share Posted July 8, 2014 Leave him alone at least until my stuff ships. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muel Posted July 8, 2014 Author Share Posted July 8, 2014 Cost ya a case of Lone Star. Nice avatar by the way... a little familiar! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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