System edited: I've been busy the past few months making some changes to my system and really dialing in its performance. 1. I've now upgraded all of my IC's and speaker cables to the new Echole Omnia cabling, replacing the already wonderful Echole Signature IC's and speaker cables. I've also upgraded to the Echole Omnia power cords on my Allnic H5000 phono stage, Absolare Passion Signature Plus preamp and Absolare Purifier. 2. I had the opportunity to use the new Telos Audio Design Cable Run In Machine to "cook" all of the cables and power cords in my system. I have never cooked any of my cables myself so I was quite amazed at the improvement in sonics once this is done - increased transparency, improved extension at the frequency extremes and deeper and more powerful sounding bass. 3. I changed to a different input tube in the Absolare Passion preamp - to a 1955 Valvo Hamburg foil getter 12AU7 tube. 4. I changed the input tubes in the VTL Siegfried amps that power the mids/highs of the Rockport Arrakis 2 speakers to a pair of Philips Copenhagen 12AT7 tubes. 5. I have been experimenting with the rectifier tubes for the Allnic H5000 phono stage. I have now tried a GE 5 Star 6087, a Bendix 6106, Amperex Bugleboy GZ34 and a Philips Valvo GZ34. The best of these in my system to me was the Philips Valvo GZ34. But once I tried a Philips 5Y3GT (directly heated rectifier) it was easy to hear that this provided the best sound for me. 6. Finally, I have been doing some comparisons of a new isolation footer from Absolare called the Stabilian. I have compared a set of these under the Absolare Passion preamp to the Stillpoints Ultra 5 footers that I have been using. I have gone back and forth multiple times to validate what I hear and the Stabilian footers do sound better. When you go from the Stabilian footer to the Ultra 5 footer, you can hear an almost "metallic" sound in the music which completely disappears with the Stabilian footer. In addition, I cannot detect any negative effect from using the Stabilian. I now have some additional sets of Stabilian footers to do additional comparisons to Stillpoints Ultra 5's under some of my other components.

babybear May 26, 2014 22:57

Hi Arnie,

I am glad the Valvo's are working out for you. I pulled mine last night to try Mullard Blackburn F32 GZ34's. They sound very good too. I am not offering a comparison to the Valvo's as I want to get a few more days under my belt, then plug the Valvo's back in. I could be happy with either.

I also bought some Holland made late 50's Phillips GZ32's rebranded Telefunken. They are the traditional 300B looking glass bottle. I think I have now explored GZ32 and GZ34 to their fullest extent.

rockitman February 23, 2014 17:51

The Philips Valvo GZ34's arrived yesterday and I did get a chance to do some initial listening with them yesterday afternoon for about an hour after an hour of warmup.

My initial impression of these rectifier tubes in the Allnic H5000 phono stage is that these are the best ones that I have heard in my system and with my preferences in comparison to the Bendix 6106, the GE 5 Star 6087 and the Philips Amperex Bugleboy GZ34.

The construction of the Philips Valvo looks very, very similiar to the Philips Amperex - both have the dual angled double D getters on top and the plate construction looks similiar to me (but they are made in different Philips plants in Holland).

From what I heard yesterday, the main difference between the Philips Valvo and the Philips Amprex GZ34's are in the upper frequencies. The Amperex has a bit more sizzle and high frequency energy than the Valvo with the Valvo being more evenly balanced across the entire frequency spectrum and it presents the upper frequencies in a more natural way. I will do some more critical listening over the next few days with a wider range of musical genres, but assuming what I heard yesterday stands up, I think I am set with the rectifiers now for the H5000 and will use the Philips Valvo GZ34's.

Christian, thanks for the heads up on these tubes - I will be curious to hear your impressions of the Telefunken GZ32's. If they allow the H5000 to sound even better than with the Philips Valvo GZ34's that will be something to look into.

babybear February 23, 2014 14:22

I've heard your system so feedback on that tube would be helpful. Wish I could hear Rockitman's system some day.

albertporter February 21, 2014 20:47

Albert, that is so true!

If the US mail comes through - I should have the Philips Valvo rectifiers here tomorrow. It should be interesting to hear how they sound.

babybear February 21, 2014 20:05

I have a sort of Audio Prepper Nervosa Syndrome going on with tubes lately.

Ahh....welcome to the club.

I have boxes and boxes of NOS tubes. Probably several hundred. I'm always afraid the "perfect" tube will go away just when I need it for XX brand of gear. :^).

albertporter February 21, 2014 03:34

I'm looking forward to your impressions. I am tempted to buy another set. I have a sort of Audio Prepper Nervosa Syndrome going on with tubes lately.

rockitman February 20, 2014 22:21

Hi Christian,

I ordered a pair of the Phillips Valvo GZ34 from Tubeworld. We'll see how they compare with the Phillips Amperex Bugleboy that I already have. With both of these in hand, I should be set with rectifiers now for H5000. Thanks for the link.

Arnie

babybear February 20, 2014 01:39

Hi Christian,

It is interesting to hear how the different rectifiers affect the sonics of the Allnic H5000. It was true as well with the Allnic H3000 phono stage.

Albert, It would be great to get your impressions of some of the different rectifiers for the H5000 that you have as well.

babybear February 18, 2014 19:29

Where did you pick up the bugle boys ? Not much offered on ebay

rockitman February 18, 2014 17:25

I also have some GZ34 Mullard F32 series coming made in Blackburn, England. Rectifier rolling is fun.

rockitman February 18, 2014 17:21

HI Albert and Christian,

That is good to hear Christian. And your results are matching what I am hearing with the 1957 Phillips Amperex BugleBoy GZ34 rectifiers made in the Sittard, Holland plant that I have been trying for the past 2 days. As you said, these are much better to me than the Bendix - better bass, much, much better high end and without the sterility of the sound that I was hearing with the Bendix. In comparison to the GE 5 Star 6087 rectifiers - much, much better bass resolution and punch (as the GE was soft sounding), better overall transparency as the the GE 6087 are a little on the warm side, and much better mids and highs as I felt that the GE has a some grain in the upper mids and highs.

babybear February 18, 2014 13:53

Upscale Audio has this Amperex from the 60s for $65.00. I bought four of them for $55.00 each just four months ago, so perhaps his claim they will eventually be $100.00 each is true?

I have not tried them yet.

http://www.upscaleaudio.com/Philips-5R4GYS-Made-in-Holland_p_562.html

albertporter February 18, 2014 05:40

Hi Arnie,

I have been using the Phillips Valvo NOS GZ34, F31 1958 series for a few days now. Better bass than the Bendix 6106 and much better treble. They have transformed the sound and I base this on using the transformer input on the 5000 DHT. These are the closest in sound to the metal based Valvo's which were replaced by them in 1957. Tube World seems to have a stock of them. We can't use the metal base version since our sockets are countersunk into the chassis and the wider metal base will not fit.
https://www.tubeworld.com/index_high.htm

rockitman February 18, 2014 03:46

Hi Albert,

I will let you know what I hear with the Phillips Amperex Holland GZ34 rectifiers and how they compare to the Bendix 6106 and the GE 5 Star 6087 rectifiers. They were shipped to me tonight so I should have them here by Thursday.

babybear February 11, 2014 00:45

I am very interested in the outcome of this test.

albertporter February 10, 2014 22:41

HI Christian,

I've ordered a pair of Phillips 1957 Amperex Bugleboy GZ34's made in the Sittard, Holland plant. Hopefully I will have these here late this week so I can give them a try and we can compare sonic impressions of these and the Phillips Valvo GZ34's that you have coming in.

Arnie

babybear February 10, 2014 21:37

Guys: FWIW, at least on the H-3000, I found a Mullard fat base first series and have stuck with that over several other NOS rectifiers. I know the guitar amp guys consider these to be holy grail rectifiers.

whart February 07, 2014 19:09

Hi Arnie,

I should get the Valvo's mid-next week. I plan to try them right away. I will let you know.

rockitman February 07, 2014 18:42

Hi Christian,

Thanks very much. I did see that in the manual as well.

When will you have a chance to hear the Phillips Valvo GZ34 rectifiers? I like different aspects of the Bendix 6106 and the Ge 5 Star 6087 rectifiers, but neither is totally satisfying to me so I would be very interested in learning what you think of the Valvo GZ34's.

Arnie

babybear February 07, 2014 13:45

Hi Arnie,

After getting the H-5000 manual, it looks like we have another option for rectifier rolling. 5AR4....the GZ34 is the Euro version and according to KS may offer the best sound. They are relatively expensive for rectifier tubes. That said, I picked up a matched pair of NOS PHILLIPS VALVO GZ34's (Made in Holland). They are indirect heated with filament current of 1.9 amps. Scouting for some Mullards but they are even more pricey.

rockitman February 07, 2014 05:12

Thanks Gmahlerfanatic.
I've sent you an email as well.

babybear February 03, 2014 15:22

Great looking system indeed!! Would you ever let a potentil Rockport client listen to your set up?? I used to live in Central TX but have been away for some time....I hope to get back to Central TX, maybe in late March. You can e-mail me at txmark1962 at gmail.com if you do not mind!!!

MANY thanks

gmahlerfanatic February 02, 2014 22:21

Hi Albert,

They appear to sound the same. My main concern is a quiet ha3000 at listening level. With music I don't notice the noise floor so much. When I turn off the music and listen to the noise floor with my ear near the speaker, it is quite prevalent compared to the transformer input. The H5000 is incredibly quiet for a tube stage.

rockitman January 27, 2014 23:25

Thanks Rockitman, reads like I need to try the Mil Spec Nuvistors in my HA3000.

Are the same sound otherwise as what came from Allnic?

albertporter January 27, 2014 21:50