Reply To: The 6X5 — a problematic tube

[Eric Strasen]

Well, it appears there are commercial plug-in solid state rectifiers still available.
The Weber Speaker Co. of Kokomo, Indiana makes a line of “Copper Cap” rectifiers for a wide variety of rectifiers, from OA2’s to 80’s and 83’s. Prices range from $12 to $27 each (U.S.) plus postage, from the factory. Replacements for 6X4’s and 6X5’s are $22 each.
These are rather interesting. In addition to diode(s), they contain a resistor to mimic the voltage drop in a typical tube, plus linear in-rush current-limiting circuitry to simulate warm-up time of a vacuum tube, except it lasts 1 to 2 seconds rather than the 7 to 9 seconds of a typical rectifier tube.
These are direct plug-ins, with no circuit mods needed. Since heater voltage is no longer needed for the rectifier, the power transformer should have an easier life. According to Weber, the average savings in a 5U4GB application is 15 watts.
I have ordered one of these to replace the 6X5GT my Zenith 7S633.
I should be able to play the set all day long with no worries.
Their site is https://www.webervst.com.
I am not related in any way to this outfit or anyone connected with it. I have bunches of relatives in Terre Haute and Evansville, but don’t know a soul in Kokomo.
Eric S.