Dual Rectifiers

Hi all,

I'm in the planning stage of my Mark III build using the VTA/Dynakit kit from Roy M. One difference is that each monoblock will use a custom wood chassis with a top plate from Front Panel Express. This allows me to be creative with tube positioning and cosmetics. With the extra space available, I have had the idea of using two GZ34 rectifiers instead of the normal one.

I'm hoping it will be as easy as running jumper wires from the pins on the first tube socket over to the second socket. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Wayne

Hi --- using 2 GZ34's means that they are hooked up in parallel.  So you would run wires from the pins of the original socket to the corresponding pins of the second socket.  Stew

It just occurred to me that the power transformer may not be able to deal with the extra current draw???

I found doubling-up on rectifiers in parallel to be of no benefit in the M-125s, just IMHO. Just more current pull for the heaters. God bless the Mullard GZ-33 and-37s. I will begin re-attending church should someone build an honest GZ-33 in future.

wgallupe wrote:Hi all,

I'm in the planning stage of my Mark III build using the VTA/Dynakit kit from Roy M. One difference is that each monoblock will use a custom wood chassis with a top plate from Front Panel Express. This allows me to be creative with tube positioning and cosmetics. With the extra space available, I have had the idea of using two GZ34 rectifiers instead of the normal one.

I'm hoping it will be as easy as running jumper wires from the pins on the first tube socket over to the second socket. Any thoughts or recommendations would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Wayne  

This might not be a good idea. Both tubes will see the full voltage, transformer will
be harder loaded, and your reliability will be effectively halved ( as the probability for
at least one tube fails will double).
Better to use zero gz34 ( use 2 1n4007 in series for a total of 4 ) for reliability .

Guys, Thanks for the advice. I'll stick to the one tube rectifier per original MK3 specs. The idea started because I found some info on line that suggests today's new production GZ34 do not last long in the MK3. I guess I'll continue to hunt GZ33/GZ37 rectifiers and keep a few WZ68 as back-up.

Wayne

Wayne,
Don't diss the Webers; they talk and walk like a real rectifier tube. And like tubes, they are consumables but a heck of a lot cheaper than a Mullard. If you've got a large stash of original Mullard GZ-33s, please PM me your street address and the hours you are not at home.

Hi Dave, I agree. I know the Webbers are OK. They sound fine, in fact really good in my ST120 (that is now sold). I think I will use the Webbers for everyday listening and, as you stated so elegantly in an older thread, 'I put in the Mullards when royalty visits'.... Made me laugh when I read it and never forgot it

I only have 2 GZ37s and 1 GZ33 all used. A long trip for you to make for such a small score!

Wayne, I have frequent flyer miles. Your address, again?

Was jt the movie Cannon Ball Run where someone landed on main street of some small town in a Maule? Just a thought--I suffer from a bit of Mullard envy myself.

neener neener ...



And I bought two so I got a spare ...

NOS Canadian military surplus ... they sold out fast.

Arsle.