NOS TUBES, RECTIFIERS OVERVIEW

Philips
4687

Philips

Stabilizer tube. 93V 10...30mA. The amazing stability with this tubes comes from the glow effect growing along the spiral at higher current. At small current, only a small part is lighting. At higher current, so to say, there are more "small" parts in parallel, thus reducing the dynamic resistance at higher current. This is the secret of this tube. Also you can understand only a spiral wire is extremely rugged and abuse proof. At higher current, it can be seen the "glow" can not grow further along the spiral, it is already at the end. From now on, a current increase will greatly increase the brightness, but voltage is less good stabilized.

NOS

1

18,-

5R4GYB

. .

Sylvania

1970

Cylinder glass, nice yellow print. Mint condition. 5R4 is comparable to 5U4G, but 5R4 is max 900V, 150mA. (5U4G is 450V, 225mA)

NOS

1

20,-

5R4
GY

RCA

1960's

Very nice coke bottle glass. Only used very short, by a customer of mine who bought many NOS spare tubes over the years. Test 100% new, also optically no sign of use. Clean like new, but boxes gone.

Used

4

24,-

5U4G

R120

Admiral

.

Coke bottle glass. Test 100%. Used, but looks like new. RCA tube inside.

Used

2

19,-

5U4G

.

COLUMBIA

.

Coke bottle glass.

NOS

1

45,-

5U4G

.

Heinz & Kaufmann USA

1965

Coke bottle glass. Original box. These are made by RCA, USA.

NOS

Stock

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5U4G
SECRET
TIP !

114-062-19

Shuguang

1970..1980

Audiophile secret tip!

Sovtek and Svetlana 5U4G coke bottle have now become hard to get and expensive.

We found this lot from the 1970's, original date codes. They look inside identical to RCA 5U4G, and glass also identical. The socket however is METAL. In original boxes, with an older Star shape logo. These have long, deep black plates, double getters, and a metal (!) base. I found those in original 25pcs. factory master cartons, each tube individually boxed. Date codes. are on the glass, and vary from 1970...1980. Test absolutely great. Marked 5Z3Pi in Russian (Kyrillan) letters, which is the designation the Russian army used for 100% equivalent part number to USA 5U4G. So, made in China, for the Russian army, which was normal at those days. Box - Glow picture. Really very nice, and very rare tubes.

NOS

Stock

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5U4G

114-002-19

Svetlana

1975

Coke bottle glass. In original orange 1975 SVETLANA boxes with winged C logo. pict1 - pict2 . Ask for Item 132 to get those pictured here.

NOS

4

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5U4G
enlarge

R133

RSD

.

Coke bottle glass

NOS

2

25,-

5U4GB

Several brands

1960

Original Box, Cylinder glass. Please inquire.

NOS

a few

28,-

5V4

Edicron, London

Also check GZ32, it can replace GZ32

NOS

4

45,-

5X4G

R121
+
R122

TUNG-SOL

1940

Mint condition tubes, with the much nicer chrome getter flash. So not the normal getter, but the bright mirror type.

5X4 and 5U4 is electrically identical - just not the pin connections.

HINT: 5X4G and 5U4G can be combined in one tube socket, when connecting the socket as follows:

Heater pin one: Connect to Socket Pin 8.
Heater pin two: Connect to Socket Pin 2+7
Plate (anode) one: Connect to Socket Pin 3+4
Plate (anode) two: Connect to Socket Pin 5+6

Now you can simply plug in both tubes in the same socket.

NOS

1

30,-

5Y3GT

125-016-55

USA brands

1950

5Y3GT. Used in Hickok tube testers.

NOS

1

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5Z3

114-093-19

Sylvania

1950

On boxes is written: Sylvania-Philips-ECG. Inside are normal Sylvania tubes, with green print.

NOS

Stock

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5Z3

RCA, KEN-RAD, General Electric

1950

NOS

Stock

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5Z3 -VT145

RCA

1942

Used tube, but tests and looks like new. This is the higher quality VT145, with bright Chrome(silver) getter.

Used

1

15€

5Z3

114-094-77

Haltron

1950

Haltron, London UK. 5Z3 is electrically equivalent to 5U4G, but has a 4Pin socket like 300B. Why use expensive 5U4G, while you can get this nice coke bottled European tube? !

NOS

Stock

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6X4 / EZ90
Order Nr:
114-123-96

TUNG-SOL

Original box. Small rectifier, 7pin socket. For pre-amps, etc

NOS

Stock

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6X5-GT
Order Nr:
114-124-98

BRIMAR
Made in UK

Original box. Small rectifier, Octal socket. For pre-amps, etc

NOS

Stock

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6X5-WGT
Order Nr:
114-137-09

Raytheon
Made in USA

Very interesting tube. Plates are fully flat. At first you think this is a mono diode. but when looking better, you see these are two flat plates in parallel.

NOS

Stock

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6X5-WGT
Order Nr:
114-138-76

Sylvania
Made in USA

Sylvania "Gold". Ultimate Version. With bright "chrome" getter, and gold printing. Original Military box for VALVO Hamburg, packed Nov. 1960. With German "Eagle" Army stamp on the base. Sorry for the price, but these are probably the finest and nicest 6X5 ever made.

NOS

Stock

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80

125-015-93

RCA

114-137-09
114-138-76

1930

Very nice box. Chrome(silver) getter flash. Nice collectors item, and good working tube too.

NOS

1

45,-

.

80

125-092-69

Raytheon, Philco, or other USA brands

1950

The "80" has an UX4 socket, same as 300B. Most of them in original box. Small rectifier, with soft characteristic, for Audio applications, was used in radios and small audio amplifiers. Very hard to find as NOS. We have a limited stock of USA brands. More Pic1

NOS

1

31,-

83-V

1950

Similar to 83, but no Mercury.

NOS

2

35,-

83

.

Several USA brands

1950

Most of them in original box. Mercury rectifier. Very rugged tubes. Specialty of this tube is must longer life, and it can be used at maximum current at no problem.

This tube lights up with blue-white light, and has very nice blue glow effects all over.

Mercury tubes: These have Mercury drops inside, which will evaporate when hot. For maximum use conditions it needs always a warm up of 5 Minutes, before plate voltage is applied. For low voltage, low current conditions you can switch it on, directly.

NOS

Stock

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866A
VALVO Germany

Mint appearance tube, original yellow blue box. This is a 2.5Volt, Mercury Monodiode, with top cap, for high voltage and still can do high current. Normal UX4 base. Light effects of this tube is probably the nicest there is, for diodes. Pictured here is the RCA Version. The VALVO we offer here, looks the same. Never touched before, so even the mercury pill is still full. It is beautiful to fire up an unused Mercury rectifier for the first time. With those VALVO, you will see the glass is clean, no mercury drops inside. (it is all in a capsule). Then only turn on the heater. This will warm the bottle, and after some time the mercury pill will start to evaporate the mercury. The whole tube gets gray. It looks broken, but it's ok! Then continue heating until the glass gets clean again. When fully clear, you can switch on the High Voltage, and a bright pink light will appear if you draw high current from the tube. Now, if you switch off, and cool down the tube, you will notice it is full of tiny mercury drops and particles inside. This means now, the factory depot is empty, and the mercury is somewhere inside the tube. Next time, heat up again only with the filament, and the process will repeat.

NOS

Stock

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AZ1

.

INDUSTRIA

Dec 1954

Never seen version of AZ1, box is in German text. Nice coke bottle. Clean box. Tests 105/110mA on Funke W19. Exceptionally strong test values!

NOS

5

18,-

AZ1

R112

RFT

Dec 1955

Mint quality tube + original package. Was opened only for picture and tests. Pict1 - Pict2.

Click both pictures, for Test results with Funke Tester.

NOS

1

30,-

AZ1

R156

TELEFUNKEN

Mint quality, original box. TFK AZ1, big size original box.

Box Picture

NOS

1

150,-

Sorry, this tube is sold

AZ1

R127

Tungsram

1955

Single tube. Original box, but one flap missing. Tube is like new.

NOS

1

30,-

AZ1

VALVO

NOS

1

45,-

AZ1

VALVO

Similar like above Valvo tube, used tests good.

Used

1

15,-

AZ1

VALVO

Globe, mesh tubes. Very good quality.

Used

3

70,-

AZ4
SECRET
TIP !

sorry...need
to make pictures

Glass bulb and
plates look
like the same as AZ12
below here.

NOTE AZ4 is the same as AZ12, but another socket.

.

Tesla or Polam.

.

Audiophile secret tip!

WHY use the expensive RGN2504? Do you really need 250mA max? If you can do with a tube that has 200mA, max here is what you need ....

AZ4 is a 200mA type rectifier, electrically close to RGN2504, also a 4Volt tube, and also with the wide plates of RGN2504, and also eight filaments. So AZ4 is almost the same tube as RGN2504. The difference is 50mA and another socket type for AZ4. Personally I like the socket of AZ4 more, because it works so nice when you plug and unplug the tube. We have bakelite sockets NOS for AZ4 on stock.

NOS

Stock

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AZ12

R6-1

Telefunken

around 1945

AZ12 is a 200mA type rectifier, electrically close to RGN2504. It has double size plates, and eight filaments.

NOTE AZ12 is the same as AZ4, but another socket.

1x Original box with AZ12 labeled on it, but box is a bit worn. Tube comes out like new.

NOS

1

55,-

AZ12

R6-2

Telefunken

around 1945

AZ12 is a 200mA type rectifier, electrically close to RGN2504. It has double size plates, and eight filaments.

1x Original box- Like new. Box was sealed, but opened for testing only.
1x Original box. Still sealed, same tube as above, same date code on box. Sealed tube can be opened before shipment, to test it if you want so.

NOS

2

110,- for the pair

EZ80

.

TESLA

.

Clean, yellow print. Funke W19 Tested at 2x70mA. ("Good" starts at 35mA )

NOS

1

5,-

Sorry, this tube is sold

EZ90 / 6X4
Order Nr:
114-123-96

TUNG-SOL

Original box. Small rectifier, 7pin socket. For pre-amps, etc

NOS

Stock

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GR150-DK
with Bayonet Base

GR150DK is the same tube as the Funke tube GR150DA , except it is lower current, and it has a bayonet base. The base is the same as any normal 12Volt car lamp, with double filament. So the same as a 12V, 5W+21Watt lamp. This base should be really easy to get. I would recommend to use the Funke W19 schematic, but change it for the lower current of this tube. So effectively with the big GR150DA as used in the FunkeW19 schematic, you can get 150, 200 or 250Volt at 0...100mA. With this little tube GR150-DK, 0....25mA should be possible. If the load is guaranteed, not to change within +/-12.5mA, you can as well stabilize 100mA with it. Possibilities are larger than you think, and occaisional overload will do no damage, only not regulate very good.

Used,
like new
condition

7

18,-

GR-100DM
With B4 Base!

This tube is like the famous Funke tube tester stabilizer tube, only it is for 100V. DC Current minimum 5mA, max 60mA. Year of build: 1956. I tested it, and above 25mA it "nails" the voltage at 100V. Click on meter image (This is a Metrix U61B) and you will see EXACTLY 100V, note the picture is made a little bit from the side, but you can see the parallax in the meter scale mirror. It is 100V exactly.

Used, very nice condition

10

33,-

GR150DA
Order Nr:
114-126-92

DGL

For all Funke testers. From original FUNKE spare parts kits. Original box. Extremely rare. Data sheet here.

The tube you have in your Funke now, may not have the correct function any more. My recommendation to Funke owners is following: You can test the tube you have in your tester now, but for this you need another tube. There is a testcard for this included with the Funke tester, to test it's won GR150-DA tube. When the old tube inside your compare appears fine, leave it in, and keep the other tube as a spare. So you can repeat this check up in a reliable way every now and then.

The GR150-DA is a very special product. It can not replaced by anything else.

Unlike Zener diodes, and most other stabiliser tubes, the DLG tube has a negative voltage to current graph, so higher current means a fraction lower voltage, and voltage is from 140..150V depending on the current. If designed well, amazingly stability will occur.

So you see, you can never replace this by anything else. Reason is, the special voltage to current chart of the GR150-DA, plays a role in the "good begins at....." indication, on the test card. Even the FUNKE MANUAL sais you may only use the "DA" Version and no other. The "DA" is a specially selected version for the Funke testers Do NOT Buy any other tube, where the seller says it also works fine. Yes it will work, but all other types were only general purpose industrial products, and not made for the Funke testers. The Voltage to current chart of GR150DA is not found with any other gas tube.

Though the tube itself is 150V, 5...60mA, it is possible to build a stabilized a power supply from 0...100mA, and 150V or more. The trick is, not everything will go through the tube. Some part goes into the load as well Check the circuit diagram of the Funke W19 tester, for an excellent application example to get a whole range of stabilized voltages, up to 250V, 0...100mA with only one 150V tube. This schematic demonstrates the forgotten art of using tube stabilizers, there is no better example.

The light effect of the tube is magnificent. In daylight it looks very bright as well. This is a mesh wire tube. So you can look through.

For Funke testers, GR150DA can replace GR150A. (but GR150A can not replace GR150DA)

Read here about a Funke W19 project.

NOS

Stock

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GZ32

Mullard

Boxes are cleaner than clean. Mint condition item.

Also check 5V4, it can replace GZ32

NOS

2

125,-

GZ32

Brimar

Amazingly nice glow picture, because of plate holes. Mint condition item.

Also check 5V4, it can replace GZ32

NOS

1

75,-

GZ32

Russia

Cylinder glass

NOS

2

21,-

GZ34

AEG

These are made in Russia, AEG Branded.

NOS

Stock

15,-

GZ34

Telefunken
made in Germany

Original Box and mint appearance. Made in Germany. Test value is amazingly good, such that you believe it only when you see it. Each Diode I tested and had only 8Volt forward voltage at 100mA. This is incredible good for a vacuum tube!

Note: There is a lot of crap in the Internet about tubes, re branded as TFK. People suspect something, and write this as facts. Other parrots copy it. The truth is, some larger tube dealers, I personally know one in Switzerland, had an official agreement with TFK to fill in supply problems to Telefunken OEM manufacturers. Such tubes were not re-branded, but were produced as such. TFK had allowed these dealers to use selected factories, and get TFK branded tubes there, using original TFK boxes. From there the tubes went directly to Radio and TV factories. I have seen the 1950's original documents for that myself. Such tubes NOT carried the made-in-Germany designation, because that would have been illegal. So this is really so simple to keep them apart. For 9pin tubes, these do not have the TFK <>. For octal tubes you can recognize them by "Made in Germany" missing.

Also the reverse process took place. Very occasionally TFK filled in a Siemens or Lorenz demand problem, and from this the rare Siemens tubes with <> bottom resulted.

NOS

1

190,-

Regulator tubes

What you need to know. Read it here

OB2

108 Volt, 5...30mA precision stabilizer tube. No filaments, but a cold Cathode, only two electrodes. Works just like 3Watt Zener Diode. Lights bright purple. Put four of these in series and get a 0432Volt/12Watt stabilizer diode for your 300B amplifier! These were used as precision references in equipment. Actually they are more precise than solid state Zener diodes.

NOS

Stock

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OC3
VR105

R29

Westing-
house

1945

105 Volt, 4...40mA precision stabilizer tube. No filaments, but a cold Cathode, only two electrodes. Works just like 4Watt Zener Diode. Lights bright purple. Put four of these in series and get a 420Volt/16Watt stabilizer diode for your 300B amplifier! These were used as precision references in equipment. Actually they are more precise than solid state Zener diodes.

NOS

Stock

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OC3
VR105

.

Tungsram

1945

These have CILINDER Glass and these burn bright orange.

NOS

Stock

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OC3-W VR105

.

Chatham. USA

1945

These burn purple. This is a military version, with special tube base, for ultimate stability. No semiconductor can beat this tube. Original Military box from 1951. One tube has a small crack in the base edge. You do not really notice it, and appearance is fine.

NOS

1 Pair

The pair for 15 Euro.

OD3
VR150

.

Sylvania

1945

CILINDER Glass. 150Volt 4Watt. Stabilizer tube

NOS

1

8,-

PV495

R166

Tungsram

1940

Equivalent of RGN1054. (see table) Good replacement for Neuberger tube testers.

NOS

2

19,

.

PV200/600

125-005

Tungsram

Istvan from Hungary, wrote me, "Z5" means Dec 1959.

Thanks Istvan!

Gorgeous looking tubes, with nice yellow printing on it. They look much nicer than on the pictures. I need a better camera. Bases are clean and very tight. Great tube, because it can do 600VDC at 200mA. It is almost an RGN2504, and it looks the same. Put two 600V DC power supplies in series, and you have 1200Volt for GM70 or 211. You can feed two 211 tubes with it. Same method as in the Ongaku. Also nice for a stereo amp with AD1. So you are all in 4V technique. Can be used in Yamamoto amps, with modification. Ask for advise.

NOS

5

55,-

G354

R151

Valvo

1940

Equivalent to RGN354. Perfect testing. (see table)

Used

1

15,-

RG62D

Telefunken

Mint items. Most have the original box. Electrically tested. Socket and Top cap checked for tight connection. Very powerful mono diode. Can be used up to maximum 1400 Volt DC output voltage, 250mA. Peak 800mA. We sell also a Gold plated top cap for appr. 1 Euro. Check pricelist for Order number: 399-116-72. Ceramic socket, or Teflon Socket availble too.

NOS

8

55,-

RGN2402
(=RGN564)

.

Hoges

.

Hoges = Hochohm gesellschaft, Germany. Tests very nice, with 40mA on Funke W19. "Good" starts at 28mA. SIngle mesh diode.

Used

1

25,-

RGN564

R113

Telefunken

1935

Beautiful looking MESH single diode.

NOS

1

50,-

RGN2004

TFK

Sorry, need to make pictures still. Nice clean mesh globe tube, with big bottle, and clear printing. Tests strong on both systems with Funke W19

Used

1

110.-

RGN2504

.

Mullard factory codes

Around 1945

These are stamped Siemens or Philips AZ50, but when I tested them, I noted they are definitely RGN2504!

There used to be a small production of RGN2504. They have the Mullard typical design inside, and on some tube is written "Made in England" . Some have even the Mullard typical stamps on the back.

Obviously they needed to fulfil an AZ50 contract and re-stamped RGN2504 for this. They filament current of those RGN2504 measures exactly 2.5 Amps, and this is full proof they are RGN2504 indeed and not the AZ50 which has less filament current. Pic1 - Pic2 - Pic3 - Pic4 - Test1 - Test2 -Test3

It can not be seen well from the pictures here, but the plates are from solid copper. This is typical Mullard. From the plate edges it can be seen clearly with some of the tubes, but not with all.

Bases are very clean and very tight. Printing is reasonable with all tubes, but not better as the one here pictured. Print color is bright white with all of t hem.

NOS

12

130,-

RGN2504

.

Valvo

1943

Very beautiful appearance, big bottle globe tube. With solid plates. Additional text: Kriegsmarine, and German Eagle on it. Test values on the Metrix U61 29Volt at 100mA, for both diodes. (See here for a rectifier diodes is tested) Amplitrex plate curves can be added if you want. I advertise it here is used, but it may be a NOS tube also. The printing is scratched from storage without box. The remains of the bright have the typical white color of new tubes. Test values are like new also. Just because of the scratched print and missing box, I offer it here as used. Pic1 - Pic2 - Pic3

Used

1

190,-

RGN4004

4 Volts
4 Amps

.

Telefunken

1943

Beautiful glow appearance, with BLACK MESH plates, and hand glass blowing work inside. Tests very strong on both systems. Sorry for the price, but this is probably the most wanted rectifier of the world.

The tube is used, which I could see from the socket, it was very dusty. After cleaning, the socket looks like new. No scratches on the glass, and perfect printing on the tube top. Getters are is mint condition, and so is the rest of the tube. On Ebay people would sell this as NOS. Test values are superb, same as NOS. Electrically and optically like new.

Test values on the Metrix U61: 29Volt at 100mA, for both diodes. (Click here to see how rectifier diodes are tested)