Anyone using a 5v4 or 5u4 in their Rocket build?

[johndandry]

Looking at option due to the high prices of decent vintage GZ34s. Dropping
more voltage than a GZ34 would not be a bad thing. I have some nice
RCA 5V4s. Will that work? I read in the Trainwreck manual that the Recto could be substituted in the Rocket. I have the Mojo TW power Tranny.
Thanks!

[M Fowler]

Yes 5U4 will work as long as your PT 5v tap is rated for 3A.

The 5V4 is 2A so we know that will work and will slightly drop the voltage.

Mark

[johndandry]

Cool, my tranny's 5V rating is 5A so should be golden.

[keewee]

Yes, I have used the 5v4 in my rocket but, I have a half power switch using 2 el84's. I'm pretty sure you need 2 5v4's in parallel to provide enough current at full power for 4, el84's. That is why The Matchless has two rectifier sockets, 1, GZ34 or two 5v4's. I heard many raves about the 5v4 in the matchless and bad cat, I like the GZ34 myself, since it drops less voltage than the 5v4 it has a cleaner tone. The 5v4 has bit more distortion but in a good way, even harmonics I guess, some really good midrange honk and nasal type tones many people like. Just my 2 cents.

[johndandry]

Anyone else? Is using 1 5v4 in full power mode ok or do I need 2 5v4s?

[M Fowler]

You can use a 5V4 by itself doesn't require a pair.

The voltage drop is between a 5AR4 and 5U4.

[Zippy]

Go solid state rectifier (two diodes - you can mount them on an old rectifier tube base) and adjust your dropping string if need be. You might like it as is. If you need sag, add a 100-300 ohm resistor in series from the rectifier.

[johndandry]

The 5v4 sounds great! Also have a older Weber Copper Cap that was made to replace a GZ34 with a 20% voltage drop. It also sounds nice. Thanks guys!

[Firestorm]

The 5v4 sounds great! Also have a older Weber Copper Cap that was made to replace a GZ34 with a 20% voltage drop. It also sounds nice. Thanks guys!

+1 for the 5V4. I hear the new Saratov (Sovtek) Russians are nice, too. Any word on that?