Tube rectifiers; let's argue.

[rp]

At least turtles don't sag.

God forbid!

I like tube rectifiers cause I have a tube fetish. Feel and sound-wise I like tube rectifiers, I like ss diodes, and I even like solid state amps. I like turtles. Sorry, to mess up the poll.

You can wire a socket for a 5AR4 and just install one of those $3 SS plug in things (not the copper cap, just the simple diode thing) and leave it at that. Minor cost, reliability and choice. Not much voltage drop btwn a 5AR4 vs diodes I've found so it's a nice solution.

Bluesy amps sound better with a tube rectifier IMO. I never did try ss w/ a sag resistor to compare, however.

edit: regards to whoever I stole the image from.

[Colossal]

They probably only still exist for the audiophiles and guitarists who listen with their eyes.

. . . and I don't like turtles either.

Sorry buddy, I have to disagree with that There is a notable difference in the sound, apparent depth, and reaction with a tube rectifier. I use both so am not advocating for one over the other. I agree with the notion that in a commercial amp, a tube rectifier could be a point of failure. It is another tool and its use would depend on the design, the amount of filtering, the desired tone and feel, etc.

Reeltarded has heard an amp of mine that is a 30W tube rectified high gain amp and I think he would agree that that amp sounds far larger than it is. It is a very deep, rich sounding amp and this fatness is absolutely due to the tube rectifier (which happens to be a Mullard GZ34). When switching to SS (without a filtering change) the amp loses all of the magic. Notes become audibly too fast, over compressed and flat. The solid state hash just kills the grind of the open, clear distortion too. This could be remedied by lowering the filtering but the difference is very apparent.

Yes, a tube rectifier's feel could be emulated with a sag resistor.

[martin manning]

Yes, a tube rectifier's feel could be emulated with a sag resistor.

Not quite, unless there's a product out there that I don't know about... A tube rectifier acts like a non-linear resistor, which adds more to its tonal effect :^)

I didn't vote. Does that make me a bad person?

[Bob S]

Martin...
Post without vote???
This is serious stuff.
People will think you're a vegetarian.

[martin manning]

Martin...
Post without vote???
This is serious stuff.
People will think you're a vegetarian.

Let me squash that right here... I like turtle as much as the next guy!

[NickC]

Martin...
Post without vote???
This is serious stuff.
People will think you're a vegetarian.

Well, I confess .... I didn't vote yet either. But I'm still trying to figure out how to connect the turtle in circuit. Exactly how much power supply capacitance is right for a turtle-rectifier?

[Bob S]

Nick - I'm thinking bridge rectifier configuration (4 legs) with top cap on the nose for extra filament connection.
I'd think they can withstand a large value resevoir cap.
Inherent slow reaction time should take care of the current inrush spike at start up.
We might be onto something here...

[martin manning]

...I'm still trying to figure out how to connect the turtle in circuit. Exactly how much power supply capacitance is right for a turtle-rectifier?

AC in on fin 2, DC out on fin 4. Fins 1 and 3 are N/C. The tail is ground, but that should be obvious.

[rp]

... that amp sounds far larger than it is. It is a very deep, rich sounding amp and this fatness is absolutely due to the tube rectifier (which happens to be a Mullard GZ34).

Excellent, I never really focused on it, but this is my experience across the board. Sometimes the old punk comes out and I love the punch and speed of ss but now I prefer sound from tubes recs for the reasons you gave. Funny, I like ss in bigger 40W+ fixed biased amps up but never did in smaller amps, could it be that the ss thins and already thin amp further???

Mullard GZ34 are one of man's great creations.

[10thTx]

fatness is absolutely due to the tube rectifier (which happens to be a Mullard GZ34). When switching to SS (without a filtering change) the amp loses all of the magic.

Well said. I have had the same experience. And I also have built and liked both solid state and tube rectification. Depends on the amp for me.

With respect, 10thtx

[Structo]

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---------------------------------I LIKE CHEESE!

[Colossal]

Yes, a tube rectifier's feel could be emulated with a sag resistor.

Not quite, unless there's a product out there that I don't know about... A tube rectifier acts like a non-linear resistor, which adds more to its tonal effect :^)

I didn't vote. Does that make me a bad person?

Sorry, forum faux pas. I meant that in as a generality in that the voltage drop could be simulated with a resistor and this might suffice for some as "equivalent" to a tube rectifier.

[Reeltarded]

Turtle liker.

How do you catch a knuckleball? You wait until it stops rolling, then go pick it up.

The only place you can get loggerheads is Red Lobster now and they make it kinda greasy but I love those biscuits.

[Reeltarded]

...I'm still trying to figure out how to connect the turtle in circuit. Exactly how much power supply capacitance is right for a turtle-rectifier?

AC in on fin 2, DC out on fin 4. Fins 1 and 3 are N/C. The tail is ground, but that should be obvious.

Obviously. You can substitute a loggerhead for a catthode too. Just turn it 90° and use a common roseate spoonbill from your 1st B+.

I strapped diodes across my turtle and the response is much faster.

Do we need a graphic for this? I have a layout on my PC I think.

[M Fowler]

No turtle recto that just isn't right!