Decware TORIIJR Owner's Manual page 9

T O R I I J R O W N E R S M A N U A L
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5U4 TUBE REGULATION
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The TORII JR uses a 5u4 rectifier to serve both channels of the amplifier. With a
capability of 1 amp, the 280 mA demand of the amplifier are well within the 5U4's
comfort zone. You will find that different brands of 5U4 and 5U4 compatible rectifiers
will sound different in your amplifier, effecting bass and midrange quality. It's worth
trying a couple different ones to see which sounds best.
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We live in a day when it is still possible to acquire new old stock tubes (N.O.S) and it is
not that expensive to own a couple N.O.S. 5U4's, or 5AR4's to play with in your amp.
The results are generally promising.
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It should be noted that some rectifier tubes, particularly those in today's current
production have more tolerance in the elements inside the tube. This tolerance causes
"chattering" in some rectifier tubes which resonate at 50 or 60 cycles depending on
your country and voltage. If this happens, tapping on the tube firmly with your finger
can make it stop and return to silent operation, albeit usually for a temporary period of
time. We grade our factory tube complements so that tubes that chatter are never
shipped with the amp, but if you buy your own replacements, they might do this or
even our tubes can do this as a result of rough handling during shipping.
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All tubes supplied in Decware amplifiers are hand picked and meticulously tested and
guaranteed for 90 days which is plenty of time to determine if you have an issue with
one.
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TUBE ISSUES
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Rectifier - If the rectifier glows, and the OA3 also has fired and is glowing, the rectifier
most likely works. Rare exceptions would be when only one plate is working instead of
two. In this case there is a sharp 60 cycle noise or hum present that goes away when
a new rectifier tube is inserted.
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Output tubes - If the output tubes both glow and are both equally hot they are likely
working. If one tube is hotter than the other, or you see red hot aka "cherry" plates
inside the tube it means that the tube with the cherry plates that is also much hotter
than the other tube is going bad and should be replaced. Unless you have another
tube that tested with the same values as the one in the amp, it is best to replace all 4
output tubes with a new matched quad.
Decware High Fidelity Engineering Co., East Peoria IL, USA www.decware.com