2024 New Sophia Electric 5U4G is the best ever made, rival vintage Western 274B
Monday, October 28th, 2024
Sophia Electric’s latest. Is a revolutionary product that delivers superior high resolution, wider bandwidth (high-frequency and bass extension), and musicality unmatched by any vintage 5U4 family rectifier tubes. Learning from their experience with the 274B, Sophia Electric’s designers crafted this tube to be 1/3 274B and 2/3 5U4G. The result is a magical-sounding tube at a lower price than the 274B, with broader compatibility in real-life applications. The only trade-off for delivering such high sonic performance is a limitation in maximum current capability. The maximum current is 200-220mA at 450V DC. It may not be suitable as a replacement for 5AR4/5U4 if only one rectifier is used for both channels in a push-pull 6L6, EL34, or KT66 amplifier. It performs best when each channel has its own rectifier tube. The lifespan of the tube is directly related to how hard the tube is operated to its maximum specifications. If used within its design parameters, it will be a super reliable tube, much like vintage 5U4 tubes have proven to be. Now that I have about ten hours of playing time on them, I’m confident in saying that they are exactly what I was hoping for. The Sophia blue glass 5U4G tubes are now in my Cary SLI-80 integrated amp featuring all factory upgrades. They replace nos RCA 5U4G rectifier tubes. When I need additional tubes, I will think of Sophia first. I’m using it it in the power stage of my Woo Audio headphone amp, and out of the box it sounds truly amazing. Currently, I have a quad of Sophia Electric EL 34s in my tube amp, your rectifier tubes in my preamp and headphone amp, and a 6SN7 in the preamp. I also have the incredible Magik Box.
