Anyone using NOS Russian GZ34's?

A couple of nights ago I was perusing the usual tube sale sites, and I went to nostubestore.com and saw this:

http://www.nostubestore.com/2012/01/russian-nos-gz34.html

I immediately bought three and with shipping it will cost $67. They say they work perfectly in GZ34 applications but don't know what they really are . The samples shown are dated around 1985/6. I'm willing to try since my current '34's are from China (Ruby, Valve Art, Sino...) and so far I haven't changed the rectifier (Sino).

They are in Ankara Turkey, so $13 shipping doesn't seem too bad. Should take 3-4 weeks to arrive.

Anyone out there know what they may actually be?

Tony

I got some 12AT7 Raytheon tubes from that guy.. Good tubes.

What are those ya got? Dun know.. Sorry man.

They look pretty robust. Report back. The prices on NOS GZ34s is getting unreal.

Thats why I pounced on these. I have Chinese recitfiers I bought a couple of years ago. The Sino is the only one I used so far. Not bad. As much as I hate how everything comes from China today, I know when to cut my losses. But Russian tubes can be a good deal depending on the source and price. These are unfamilliar to me, but the guy seems to have a good rep, so I'll take a chance.

Somewhere in my stash I have a GE branded Mullard (used ) that I'd use only if I had to.

I like to use my beautiful NOS Mullard GZ33 tubes in my ST-120, but fear I don't have enough to last a lifetime (only a few left in my stash), so I just ordered six (6) of these Russian GZ34s. Very reasonable price compared to other options, and I just don't like the new rectifiers being made today; not very reliable.

I've got two of the GZ37 Big Bottle Mullards... A work of art they are. built like tanks. I have 1 of the GZ33 Mullards.. Collector items really. Mullard history.

After I bought my six Russian GZ34 tubes, I see the seller has now raised his price on his remaining stock (10 tubes) from $18 to now $28 per tube.

Where are you getting GZ33's for 28 a tube?

mantha3 wrote:Where are you getting GZ33's for 28 a tube?

X2! You know where there are Mullard gz37's for $28? 'fess up, man!

mantha3 wrote:Where are you getting GZ33's for 28 a tube?

No, the $28 a tube is for the Russian GZ34's from this guy in Turkey, the initial subject of this thread. I paid around $78 a tube for the Mullard GZ33's over a year ago when there was an eBay seller from England that was selling them. He must be out, as I haven't seen any listings from him for a while. They are still available from others, but the price is around $125 per Mullard GZ33; too rich for my blood.

Thanks for clarifying that , Dave,

I agree that's pretty rich indeed. If I thought I'd hear an improvement (over my Chinese) rectifier, I might start saving up.

Well, Davidness you sure made me feel good for acting quickly !

Nothing left to do but wait for their arrival...

Don't forget to give your impressions.

Tony

anbitet66 wrote:Well, Davidness you sure made me feel good for acting quickly !

Nothing left to do but wait for their arrival...

Don't forget to give your impressions.

Tony

I paid the extra for FedEx/DHL delivery, so I should have mine before you have yours. I will let you know when they arrive and my impressions. I'm currently using a Weber WZ68 solid state copper-cap rectifier in my ST-120 amp because after my previous Mullard GZ33 blew, I'm a little gun-shy about putting another of my precious NOS Mullard GZ33's into the amp.

The ST-120 is a GZ eater... I've lost 2 of em... One was a nice Sylvania big bottle GZ34.

PS - On this forum in the Stickey is a note about using diodes to protect your GZ## rectifier.. Simple to do and I've not lost one yet.

Doesn't the diode modification essentially provide solid-state rectification making the presence of the tube 'just for show'? Or have I misunderstood this modification?

The solid state rectification preceeds the GZ34. It is still in the circuit providing a delay in supplying power to the rest of the amp. It in no way causes the amp to sound any less "tubey". The voltage sag with them installed is virtually the same. I doubt they impart any noise into the amp, but instead of using regular (ie 1N400X) types, you could install fast acting rectifiers. Either way they prevent damage to a GZ34 upon start up, or if the power drops out momentarily.

I am very happy with the $13 Sovtek 5AR4 with pre-rectification by a pair of 1n4001.

The slow startup of the tube rectifier is reason enough to run the tube. Some say this is way Dynaco ST70 and other tube rect. amps from the 60s still run today. Impressive.. 60 year old stuff still works.

I received my (6) tubes just now. Will try them tonight when I get home & will post my impressions, but expect no problems. They do all look unused, but came in a variety of mismatched boxes that look somewhat used. None were wrapped in pristine tissue paper like the GZ33's I've purchased in the past. Some of the imprinting on the tubes was slightly mismatched, but the tube construction all looks identical.

Good to know. I am still waiting for mine. The shipping update says they are in the US as of the fifth, but that is as far as it has been since that time.

Do either of you have current Sovtek or other current new GZ34s? Just curious to hear what these look like when you do a comparison to what you buy new today.

The tubes I have are from Valve Art, Ruby, and Sino. The internal construction looks exactly the same in each tube. I'm currently using the Sino with no issues.

Don't know about "Sino" but everything I've read leads me to believe that Valve Art and Ruby are the same tubes with different labels. And of course different price tags.

Sino is Chinese, as are the others. Each of the ones I have have the number "4" written in pencil on the top mica. All bought from AES.

Okay, I installed one of my recently received NOS Russian GZ34 tubes into my ST-120, and it works great. It is a little smaller than other 5AR4/GZ34's, and a whole heck of a lot smaller than my Mullard NOS GZ33's.I thought I noticed a small spark inside the tube when I first turned it on... perhaps that was a getter flash? I don't know, and it might have been my imagination. Seems to be working perfectly.

I wouldn't expect to "hear" any difference between rectifiers, but the amp sounds as great as ever.



Left to right: The Russian NOS GZ34, a NOS Sylvania GZ34, a modern Ruby GZ34, a Weber WZ68, and my favorite big-boy; the NOS Mullard GZ33.

Notice that the Russian GZ34 is smaller than the rest, and that it only has 4 pins on the bottom (but plugs right into a standard octal rectifier socket on our Dynaco's).

Also, a few of the NOS Russian GZ34 tubes I received have the glass envelope at a slight angle to the base, sort of like the leaning tower of Pisa. No big deal, though.

Mine finally arrived! My three all share the same date code of 8507. I guess it's a matched triple?!? Any way they look plenty robust. Can't wait to try 'em out !