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AUDIO FORUMS >> General Discussion and Support >> Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
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Message started by Sean on 08/23/24 at 03:44:59

Title: Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
Post by Sean on 08/23/24 at 03:44:59

It happens, first time losing a rectifier for me. Powered everything up, cooked dinner, spent time with my son and when I took the trash out I saw everything off. SDFB saved the day. Reset everything not knowing what caused the trip and powered up one by one. Got to the UFO25 and a second or so after powering on the rectifier put on a light show and poof everything went off gracefully. Without the SDFB that would have likely been a pricy fuse up in smoke as well.

I put a cheap Raytheon 5U4GB in just to make sure all is well. For a $10 tube it sounds pretty good, very holographic but a bit on the brighter side for me. Looks like I’ll be on the rectifier rolling train or is it the rolling rectifier train? Either way, listening to Billy Strings live vol 1 Rueben’s Train and I’m already forgetting the blown tube.

Title: Re: Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
Post by Geno on 08/23/24 at 03:48:35

Sorry Sean. How old was the rectifier? It was a Cryotone?

Title: Re: Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
Post by Sean on 08/23/24 at 16:42:23

Title should read 5ar4 v2

Not sure how old it was, I bought the full set of Cryotone's with the UFO25. I've been using it daily for about 3 months.

Title: Re: Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
Post by Geno on 08/23/24 at 16:50:58

Get in touch with Steve, and/or Wathen Audio.

Sounds like it is new enough, that they should honor replacement.

Title: Re: Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
Post by charles hidalgo on 08/23/24 at 18:12:25

I would suggest getting one of these. I'd buy from you if you were not satisfied.

https://sophiaelectric.com/products/new-sophia-electric-aqua-ii-274b-rectifier-tube-with-live-like-sonic-performance

You are NOT the only one who this has happened to. Do a search and you will see more than a few with rectifier problems when it comes to the Cryotone rectifiers. They are great at taking care of things but after three in a row for me I came across the Aqua II (after trying every rectifier that would work in my Decware amps) and it is the finest sounding rectifier I have heard in any amp that it is comparable with.

Charlie

Title: Re: Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
Post by Sean on 08/23/24 at 20:51:22

The Sophia has been on my radar for quite some time. I’ve got plenty of other rectifiers to play around with for now, even a couple I haven’t tried yet.

As the Cryotone came to me used I’m pretty much writing it off as “stuff happens”. I do plan to contact Don, perhaps he has interest in seeing it to help improve them going forward.

Title: Re: Cryotone 5ar4 v sizzled out
Post by Kamran on 08/25/24 at 08:13:49

Both of my Cryotone 5AR4 v2 rectifiers arced. Don no longer recommends them for the Sarah 300B amp. That said, the Cryotone 5U4G has been rock solid. I’m due to receive a replacement 5U4 for my last 5AR4 soon.

You can’t go wrong with the Sophia Aqua 274B (v1 or v2 recommended for Sarah) Outstanding rectifier—been using for 2 years. As good as the Aqua I was, the II is a step above.