[fado]

I have been seeing more 1954 production GZ34 Metal Base tubes listed on Ebay lately. Would there be any significant difference in sound quality between the 1954 and 1955 production dates? They both have the welded plates but I do not know if the getters or other design elements are different. Is there any other reason to pursue one manufacture date over the other?

Thank You

[FullRangeMan]

As its a rectifier tube similar to 5AR4 looks 1954/55 difference is minimal in SQ. I would say 5AR4 to GZ34 sound differences are a bit greater.

Some tubes to avoid in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FJ31Id3GTQ

[rbbert]

As its a rectifier tube similar to 5AR4 looks 1954/55 difference is minimal in SQ. I would say 5AR4 to GZ34 sound differences are a bit greater.

In nearly all (if not all) applications they are the same, GZ34 European designation, 5AR4 USA.

[FullRangeMan]

I have been seeing more 1954 production GZ34 Metal Base tubes listed on Ebay lately. Would there be any significant difference in sound quality between the 1954 and 1955 production dates? They both have the welded plates but I do not know if the getters or other design elements are different. Is there any other reason to pursue one manufacture date over the other?

Thank You

Not seeing the valve at hand I would say they are the same, because the years are close. If not too much you would buy a pair and post some photos to us.

[paul79]

GZ34 5AR4 are the same.