That’s gorgeous! The one thing I’m not thrilled with about Stellaris is that it doesn’t glow in any appreciable way. So I just listen to Stellaris and turn on Valhalla 2 for the visuals. 
lol
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The beautiful new production Genelex Gold Lion GZ34/UM77.
This is a lovely rectifier. Great sound and great presence. Has filament glow on the bottom and top of the tube.
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It’s not the glowiest tube amp out there, but if you look carefully you can see the glow of every tube in this picture. 
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I get vicarious enjoyment seeing Team Blue pictures 
P.S. I see that Burson lurking on the right too…
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@andris_r Hey … is the Elrog worth the $800? It sure is a looker. (Stratus owner here, still using the stock, but did upgrade to EML 2A3s).
So, first of all, I got mine for $640 from PartsConnexion, but it doesn’t look like they carry them anymore. Not sure where one would turn to, other than emailing Elrog, but hopefully you wouldn’t have to spend $800. Edit: As per some further followup, looks like Elrog only sells direct now, and the 5U4G will indeed set you back about $800.
As to it being worth it, I’d say the Elrog is definitely in my top 3 rectifiers, so I think I’d generally say that its performance matches the price point. That said, I don’t think you have to spend that much to get very good rectifier performance.
Obviously everyone has their preferences, but I feel that the stock rectifier is by far the weakest and most problematic tube in the Stratus/Stellaris and should be upgraded immediately. You don’t have to shoot for crazy expensive stuff right away. An NOS RCA 5U4G shouldn’t be more than $200, and it’s VERY good.
Here is my approximate rectifier ranking for the Stratus/Stellaris:
1(a). Genalex U52 (NOS) - $600+
1(b). Elrog 5U4G - $640
2. Philips Miniwatt GZ34, Metal Base - $500+
^ these three are in my regular rotation
3. RCA 5U4G (NOS) - $150+ (I do put this one in once in a while)
4. EML 5U4G Mesh - $350 (It’s solid, but no longer makes it in much)
… then a pretty big step down
5. RCA 5U4GB - $80+
… then a massive step down
6. Stock Winged C
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In regards to Elrog. As of a month or so ago, they only sell direct now afaik.
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Thanks!
I see the RCA NOS for 99$.
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Oh man. Brutal. Good find, though. Thanks for sharing!
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Makes me glad I got mine when I did, I think it showed up within a day of when yours did
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Two things to be aware of with the Elrog 5u4G:
- They have been known to blow fuses in DNA amps
- They can be externally noisy - not audible via the transducer but if you sit anywhere near your amp you will hear it. Tube dampers can help but as far as Im concerned its a flaw of the tube and I cant see how it would not effect audio performance.
I know people who have returned them due to both issues.
If you get a good one then great. Elrog does seem to be good for exchanging tubes if you have an issue.
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I’ve tried the stock rectifier, vintage RCA, EML Mesh, & Elrog, and I keep coming back to Elrog. I really expected and wanted to prefer the vintage RCA - I sort of liked the idea of a RCA rectifier paired with RCA 2A3s. But I can’t deny that the Elrog (to my ears) is cleaner, tighter, and more detailed.
If it’s warmth you’re looking for, though, the EML may be more up your alley.
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Super same. I kinda beat myself up for being impatient and ordering the Elrog right after I received the EML & RCA, but now I’m really glad I did.
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