Do you think it would best a U52 or gz37? Even a Mullard 5ar4. A different tube but a viable comparison. Nonetheless, the above 3 vintage tubes have been known to be the best of the best for 5u4g/5ar4 based amps. All three can be found for less than the Elrog. Still I’m very interested in the elrog and semi want to buy one. Lol
A year ago, I would have agreed with you. I do still have my Philips Miniwatt GZ34 Metal base rectifiers, which beat the pants off of anything else in my WA5-LE and my demo Stratus (despite not having the rectifier switch). However, in my Stellaris, I find myself putting the EML 5U4G mesh in over the GZ34’s. Go figure.
Long story short, I haven’t heard every tube (and never will), but I want to have an end-game 5U4G (e.g. the Elrog) to compare against the others.
By the way, I know GZ37 is good in the DNA amps that have the rectifier switch (and still safe if no switch, but not optimized), but I’d double-check with Donald on the 5AR4 (unless you have already, in which case, good to know). Stratus/Stellaris doesn’t have the same computability as some other 5U4G-based amps. For example, I know a 274B is no good.
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A good variant at the top of the class for rectifiers will perform extremely well, it just comes down to preferences. Sometimes I prefer U52 sometimes Elrog, depends upon what I want. With my tubes U52 is brighter, more controlled/quicker. Elrog is darker and maybe a touch more expansive. Outside of tonality differences the other distinguishing characteristics are mild, so U52 slightly bests Elrog for transients, etc. There could be variances between tubes as well, maybe I got a good U52 or a less than stellar Elrog or maybe there is a better U52 out there, blah blah.
IMO, the Elrog is a strong contender for end game rectifier.
From what I recall you can use a 274B but it just wont last that long as it cant handle the current inrush. so its not an attractive tube to just throw money at. As you said, always best to check with Donald first.
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Sounds like you guys do think the Elrog punches up with the best. It’s nice to have an option for something in the new production realm that is really good. The eml mesh I bet is a good pick too! I just picked up their mesh 2a3’s and like them. Super cool looking tube too!
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I find myself using the gz34 the most in my stratus but it has to do with not just sound quality but also longevity. Ive read that they can last tens of thousands of hours and I like that a lot! I hate using my u52 too much as it’s becoming very hard to find at a good price. I don’t know how long those last.
If I’m talking about outlier rectifiers to the Stratus, I should always state that I have the rectifier switch and understand putting it in gives me options to try other tubes that gets farther away from how Donald voiced this amp. I like to have that option, I can see a good argument against it too.
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I had one for a while and it just didnt sound right to me, but lots of people like them. I am considering giving it another shot but I got lots of rectifiers as is.
The Elrog is big and bright, which may create issues for some.
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What tubes are you us with the Caldera? Do you change it up when using the Atrium, or other 300 ohm ZMF?
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I’ll stop here:
HQPlayer (DSD256 via poly-sinc-gauss-xla+ASDM7ECv2) > Holo May KTE > Holo Serene (for source switching and volume control) > Stellaris (RCA JAN 5U4G, Sylvania 6BK7B, Takatsuki TA-2A3) > ZMF Verité LTD blackwood
Every step helped, but the Takatsukis did the final magic of opening up the stage, increasing dynamics and refining layering and detail while shifting just a notch towards neutral, which I prefer, from Psvane ACMEs.
This setup is keeping me up late, which is a bad way to recover from 9h jetlag 
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Anyone compared the Stellaris to the A&S Red October?
Having an upgrade itch from Mogwai SE + ZMF Verite, thinking that for my music (female vocals, classical, modern rock, etc) it might be more interesting to go 300B/2A3 than more juice of the same (e.g. A&S Nautilus).
Thanks in advance.
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With the major caveat that I own a Stellaris, and therefore, hear it near daily in my own chain, in a quiet environment, for hours and hours, and my A&S Red October listening was done at a CanJam, I have indeed heard both. They’re fairly different amps, and I wouldn’t fault anyone for preferring one over the other.
I wasn’t able to really assess the noise floor on the Red October given the showroom environment, so that’s totally up in the air, but the Stellaris is a very quiet amp. From memory, the Red October had a bit of that 300B meatiness and tactility, while still being spacious and airy, which not all 300B amps achieve.
Not that I’ve heard every 300B or 2A3 amp, from from those I have, I’ve found they generally lean in the same direction, sound signature wise. I’d first decide which way your preferences lean, and then probably go in that direction.
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It’s heeeeere…
A post 18 months and $7k in the making. Happy Chris is Happy. 
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I’ve only just begun to listen, no chance to a/b or “analytically” listen yet, but my first impression is that this amp really does do something magical to make Utopia more three-dimensional. Not necessarily “wider”, but definitely more holographic.
No more thoughts from me until I’ve had some time to really analyze and digest what I’m hearing.
Seriously, though, I could not be any happier. I’ve never put more thought, consideration, and time into any purchase, and I’m SUPER excited to reap the rewards of my diligence and all of your sage advice (espeically @andris! Donald should pay you commission. 
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Welcome to the club, you have warmed up to the blue. As I recall you really didn’t like the color that much
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Still don’t. But sound > color. 
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Took me a long time to come to terms with “the BLUE” …
Still can’t get past the big grey boxy transformer covers … though at this point, were I still really doing the headphone thing in earnest, I’d deal with it.
Congratulations on a magnificent amplifier!
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I am but a vocal member of the bandwagon, and certainly not even among the first - but I enjoy the opportunity to give Donald and his masterful work its due. 
A hearty welcome to the club!
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Congrats!!
What power cord you running into that?
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Congratulations, now don’t listen to those of us babbling here about super-special tubes 
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lol too late. I already have 2 rectifiers and considering a third. Also eyeing those Takatsuki 2A3s at some point… maybe.
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Currently: RCA JAN 5U4G, Sylvania 6BK7B, Takatsuki TA-2A3. Yum.
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Current tube setup: USAF 596, 6n1p ‘58, EML solid plates
Last combo and just as good: mullard metal base 5ar4, 6n1p ‘58, Psvane Acme.