Woo WA22 with LCD2 - my tube rolling notes - Page 2

Originally Posted by jerico 

MIke - I'm with you in thinking the 22 resonds well to tube rolling.

Right now I'm using this combo with my LCD2, very happily (apologies if anything I write here contradicts what I wrote above - this is an ongoing experiment!):

2399/5998 + Sylvania VT231 + EML 5U4G mesh plate

I've been swapping the EML out with a few TungSols (5U4G and 5U4GB) - I find I like these about as much as the EML (in concert with the power/driver tubes above). I also tried a Mullard GZ33 but found it a bit boring.

I did go back to trying the Sylvania 7236 over the last few weeks, and in most cases I still don't prefer them - I find them a bit too soft with the LCD2, all else equal. Though i do find them great with jazz and rock with the LCD2. I know Skylab has said he finds the 7236 to be brighter than the 2399/5998 in the 22/LCD2 setup - different strokes I guess (different equipment could certainly affect perceptions - and I do use a "warm" interconnect, Cardas Golden Reference, FWIW).

Interestingly, last night I was A/B'ing the LCD2 and T1 with the 7236s in the amp - I find they work real well with the T1, though I prefer the LCD2 sound in general (the T1 pulls office duty for me most of the time, but I bring them home every so often to mix things up).

Originally Posted by jerico 

I think the 5998 and 7236 have similar gain characteristics - ie both provide more than the 22's stock 6080 or 6AS7 - so both give the LCD2 more juice. I just find they sound very different from each other.

Regarding the interconnects - I first rewired my speaker system with Cardas Golden Reference (interconnects all around, and later speaker cables as well) and they smoothed the highs nicely and gave a nice bass boost too (my big rig tends to the bright side) - the effect was very noticeable. I then decided to try them with the Woo, but the impact wasn't as pronounced, perhaps because I didn't find the 22/LCD2 combo to be overly bright to begin with (so there was less to smooth out). Cable rolling is a slippery, and potentially expensive, slope!

You could try contacting The Cable Company - they have a cable loaner library and they can point you in the right direction for a cable with the characteristics you need. Steve there has been very helpful with me in the past.