Paralleled tube rectifier : matched ?

[ricothetroll]

Hi !
I've bought this Echolette M40 quite cheap on evilbay. Its PSU works with two paralleled EZ81 rectifiers that I'd like to replace for safety reasons as I don't know how long those have worked already. Do those need to be matched ? Is there a risk, in case of mismatching that one of the two works the most and thus dies quickly ?
https://dl.dropbox.com/u/28610725/echolette_m40_schematic.pdf
Best regards.
Eric
PS : this amp sound REEEALLY good, nice output tube crunch !  

[R.G.]

I suggest you replace both of them with a pair of high voltage silicon diodes and a series resistor. The silicon diodes are much more reliable, eliminate the matching question, and the resistor restores the softness of the tube rectifiers.

This approach is what is used in the Weber Copper Cap rectifiers, and most (honest) tube amp fanciers think there is no detectable difference in sound.

[PRR]

You don't have to match those rectifiers.

You won't find ANY vendor selling matched rectifiers; it's not needed.

Personally, I would not replace them just for age.

[ricothetroll]

Thanx a lot for your answers !
I think I'll go for the silicon + resistor solution...
Best regards.
Eric