Is the Shuguang 5AR4 any good?

Buy real old production Mullard/Philips GZ34’s (or two) from a reputable tube dealer before they become unobtainable @ sane prices.

Seen them recently in the $150-$200+ range.

Don’t fret about metal base et cetera as they all sound good and last if properly tested (even the early 70’s production).

Aside from Mullard/Philips I have a few 1983 Sovtek’s and much earlier Japanese 5ar4’s that sound good and are reliable, but that boat passed years ago as I purchased them NIB way back then.

Used Mullard GZ34’s 10-15 years ago in HiFi gear that were from guitar amps that I owned in the mid 1960’s on, as well as some from Dynaco gear that I purchased in the mid 1970’s.

PS:

I used them in Pilot 232/240 amps, which run the crap out of the rectifier/GZ34.

DeKay

@dekay   the one that is in the mail & on its way is a UK Amperex (which I was told here was probably made by Mullard) and one of the ones I have already received was sold as a Hitachi and I see on the base that it is labeled Matsushita.  The three I have bids on are Mullards and I believe that two of them are claiming to be NIB.  (AS I typed, I don't have high hopes for those, as I am not going to bid much higher, if even at all higher.)

Your thoughts are to leave the Shuguangs alone then.  Okay, I was just thinking that the price seemed okay and if they were as good or any better thyan the stock Sovtec, a couple of spares wouldn't hurt.

Okay, thanks. 

No different than the Sovtek in sound or reliability.  If they are good strong tubes the Amperex and the Matsushita will last a decade at least unless damaged by something. 

Okay, @jackd that’s probably the bottom line then--no point in getting them if they aren’t better than the stock Sovtec. I'll try to win one of those other auctions I bid on.

What I tried to say was save money in the long run and purchase one (or two) properly tested, widely liked for their sonics and reliable old production tubes while they are still available @ sane prices.

Though my favorites have been Mullard and Amperex, the Sovteks (correction - they are 2003 production/not 1983) and the Japanese GZ34's sounded just as good (a tiny bit lighter/thinner in my amps - I prefer fuller).

The Sovtek production I purchased came out shortly after they were panned for producing unreliable GZ34's.

My tube testers TV-7/539C did not seem to properly test GZ34's as they always tested pretty close to spec until they suddenly did not (same thing when testing 12ax7's).

Don't know how the good tube dealers test them, but assume that they are using different/better test equipment.

I have enough tubes to last a few lifetimes, but recently purchased 5 pairs of Converse/Chuck/Vietnam tennis shoes and 12 pairs of Polo striped cotton pajama pants (70% off on the pants and $45/pair for the shoes) as supplies are drying up and/or are now gone @ reasonable prices.

I spend money to save money.

DeKay

@dekay   gotcha.  I am leaving those Chinese tubes alone.  Thanks.

@immatthewj 

I don't remember how many spots you have that need a 5AR4 but if you have enough good NOS ones to fill those spots you only need one spare so concentrate on getting quality not quantity.  Times are different than when I was buying NOS Mullards for $50.  One of the reasons that Andy is so popular and so backed up is that he actually tests his tubes in gear and not just tube testers.

@jackd 

only one spot and it is true that I get carried away and overdue things.  I am leaving those Chinese tubes alone and I will see how it goes with the Mullards I have already bid on.

Use at your own risk!

@jasonbourne52  are you referring to the Chinese tubes?

Use at your own risk!

Is the Shuguang 5AR4 any good?

not saying they aren't good, but suggest op have fire extinguisher on hand... then enjoy the music 🤣

Okay, @jjss49    that seals the deal.  The Chinese tubes are not happening!

For 5AR4 tubes, I have had success with 5R4 RCA and Sylvania purchased on eBay for under $30 per tube.  This are the coke bottle looking tubes not the straight glass.  I find the coke bottle tubes are better sounding in my system.  The RCA is a typical sweeter in the mid-range and softer in the bass regions.  The Sylvania more forward, clearer, better balanced sound top to bottom.  While the GZ-34 JJs are nice sounding tubes, they just do not have the magic of the others we have tried.  We have about 5 more to test like the Westinghouse, etc., just for giggles.

OP:

Sent you a PM via the A’Gon system with a few personal insights regarding your query.

It can be accessed by clicking on your account, going to "dashboard" and then to "messages".

Considering the current "frenzy" currently going on regarding purchasing tubes I felt it best to keep the advice (good/bad) private and such does not involve selling items (just advice based upon past experience).

PS:

Forgot to mention the (48) vacuum packed 6oz bricks of our favorite espresso coffee I purchased early last year (codes dates good for the end of 2023) and the 21+ pairs of the original Columbia ROC trousers I purchased on closeout in 2011/2012 (still have 6+ new in the original packaging and I'm hard on clothing).

Just took a coffee inventory and we have 19 bricks left.

DeKay

@dekay

thank you and I just shot you a reply thanking you for the advice. If you don’t get it, it is not because I am impolite when someone takes time to educate me, but for some reason it triggered a message warning me "Conversation added to Moderation Queue for Review by Support." Which I completely don’t understand, but so be it, and thank you again for adding to my education on NOS tubes.

And good deal on the coffee!  I can relate to that.  Maybe not on the coffee, but there are other things. . . .

Thanks @bigkidz  !

Here's an old thread on your pre -w- supposed advice from Cary in regard to what/what not rectifier type to use (5R4 is not recommended).

DeKay

Thank you, @dekay !  That was an interesting read.  I did note that @rodman99999  had used a tall bottle, and I actually turned down an offer on a tube that the seller had listed as a "tall bottle" because I wasn't sure if there would be enough clearance to get it into position to insert the pins into the socket.

Anyway, thanks again!