I need a reliable 5Y3GT

Hi, my 4-year old 5E3 Tweed Deluxe clone amp blew the power (mains) transformer, I just replaced it yesterday. According to the amp builder possible causes to the transformer failure could be either bad quality (inMADout TA84M18, handmade in Italy) or a faulty rectifier tube. My amp had been acting strangely for awhile after a 'proper' warm-up, usually during gigs, occasionally at band rehearsals, but never at home. And I had been using an (allegedly) NOS Sylvania JAN 5Y3WGTA from 1966 for just about two years, maybe 3-4 hours hours weekly, which is not that much?

So, maybe I ought to replace the rectifier tube just to be sure, and I'd like it to be a true NOS tube, not something that somebody had found in the trash can. Ebay offers this and that, but what I'd like to have are recommendations for a good tube from a reliable seller. Help, please?

 

Somewhat reliable looking NOS tubes start from 50 bucks. I paid about 40-50euros for my old one.

I know one store that says current production JJ rectifiers have had reliability problems and I wouldn't go for anything made in China (TAD, that is) if I don't have to. Sorry. I do drink Chinese green tea though, 3 or 4 mugs a day!

 

A couple of examples...

This is what I've used for two years (I bought from ebay, not from this store)



This is what that same store praises. Any good?

 

Yes I've seen those diode things that fit into the octal tube socket. I just don't fancy the idea of a tube amp without tubes - that diode thing could be used as a backup of course, but they too apply very high voltages! My amp had originally a GZ34 rectifier and the valves should take that (we just had a cathode bias / plate dissipation calculation session yesterday evening with the amp builder) and I used that rectifier for the first two years, but I do like the 5Y3 sound better - with the lower voltage that it gives to the 6V6GTs.

 

You're dead right, Thunder-Rich, but I can't afford another Tweed Deluxe, that's for sure. I've had a few solid state amps and I didn't like any of them. All I could possibly do is to get me a tiny Fender Champ clone, made in the original style, with a 8" speaker. Or some later variant with tone control(s).

 

Well, TBH, if I had the bucks I wouldn't be asking for "best for the buck" recommendations. Money doesn't grow in trees here either :/.

 

Read more carfuly? English is not my mother tongue and I don't always get if even if I read it ten times.

I've had a few faulty tubes in my hifi amp, one of them died pretty soon after arrival. I don't suppose anyone chooses a tube amp because of reliability. No, it's the tone.

 

Oh. I didn't understand this correctly at first read. I haven't heard of those, can you give me an example (link)?

 

You're right once again I guess .