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GZ34 with dual rectification?

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  • GZ34 with dual rectification?

    One thing that I've been wondering is if the GZ34 can be used in a dual rectified amp. I know, that sounds like a stupid question, but hear me out. The GZ34 is different from tubes like the 5U4 and the 5Y3 because it has a cathode that is physically separate from the filament, even though it's electrically connected to the filament. My thought is that if said amp was using the solid-state diodes, the cathode of the GZ34 would eventually start getting poisoned, since it wouldn't really have any current running through it, which would lead to decreased rectification efficiency and shortened tube life. I know that Mesa Boogie has used the GZ34 in some dual rectified amps, but they always have some current flowing through the tube rectifier in those designs (feeding the preamp, for example).

  • #2
    Originally posted by camjenkins View Post
    the cathode of the GZ34 would eventually start getting poisoned, since it wouldn't really have any current running through it, which would lead to decreased rectification efficiency and shortened tube life.
    Never heard of that and can´t think of any reason for that to happen.
    Besides: define "cathode poisoning" and what actuall effects should we expect from it.
    Can you share a link?
    Thanks.
    Juan Manuel Fahey

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    • #3
      http://valvewizard.co.uk/standby.html
      Merlin Blencowe wrote this article here which explains cathode poisoning as well as the myth of cathode stripping.

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      • #4
        I think that Tomer calls it ‘cathode interface resistance’.
        Rectifier tubes may be different enough that it doesn’t apply to them.
        My band:- http://www.youtube.com/user/RedwingBand

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        • #5
          Mesa does it with their Maverick, but it is opposite of what you describe, the preamps are always fed by the solid state diodes as explained here:

          http://music-electronics-forum.com/s...ad.php?t=46910
          It's weird, because it WAS working fine.....

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