5AR4 rectifier tube question


I am sort of shopping for one or more 5AR4s for a Cary SLP05 power supply because I’d like to have at least one spare and because I’d maybe like to roll two or three ad see if I can hear an improvement or vice versa. I make no claims of knowing much about the vacuum tube game; occasionally I get lucky & stumble on something that really works for me. As far as the 5AR4, I did a hit at Uncle Kevin’s site, and there were some that looked interesting (I am thinking of one in particular, it had a Japanese sounding name that started with a ’M’) but when I click on it, all I get is a picture of Uncle Kevin’s screaming face telling me "not to buy tubes" (later, when I finally took time to read, apparently his tube tester is down).

So I started doing hits on Ebay, and oh my gosh! I was inundated with choices and the variation in prices! Which do I stay away from and which should I be interested in? Would a 5AR4 from Bugera also be suitable for what I’d want to use it for? Could a rectifier tube provide a big sonic upgrade if I spent enough money on it? Can I make a sonic upgrade from what I believe (I haven’t opened up the power supply yet) is the stock EH 5AR4 without breaking the bank? I would be totally good with the $50.00 range and picking up 2 or 3 different ones to play with if those with experience thought I could improve the power supply in that range. If I had to I guess I could go more (the $100.00 range) but I probably wouldn’t be buying too many of them, and I was kind of HOPING not to go much over that.

Anyway, thanks in advance for the input; I always consider it part of my education.

immatthewj

      It also seems apparent: the genuine Rocket Scientist, at Balanced Audio Technology (Viktor Khomenko), understands that power supply/rectifier changes can and will make dramatic changes, in one's musical presentation.

                                                                ie:

          https://www.audionexus.com/nl10_balanced_audio_technology.shtml

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@dinov 

oh but it does.  i have tried 5 5ar4 / GZ34 rectifiers in my Cary preamp and they all make it sound different.  

there are clear winners and losers.  

@avanti1960 I may try that, but in my McIntosh mc30 s all I use are RCA for the power tubes and rectifiers. Have to find another brand of  5U4. Always willing to experiment.