I'll chip in again as I got my WA2 in the mail today. The total package for me was an Amp and one of those double stand things.
Both boxes were individually wrapped in bubble wrap and wrapped together in black packing film (tightly) in addition to internal packing material.
The woo box has packing material just like in earlier photos. This stuff is pretty strong, you can even sit on it (I did).
Upon opening the box, there was indeed a printed letter with statements on tube life to use gloves. There were indeed gloves included, but I managed to tear one...not a major issue. Folks probably have such gloves in a box somewhere (I do)
Also, some A2A stickers. Everyone likes stickers right?
On the Amp Side of things.
- No printed instructions. Hit up the website for them.
- Came with power cable, I wasn't expecting this (based on Woo site)
- Well packed valve boxes.
- In my pack, I got some 'International Servicemaster EZ80/6V4 rectifiers, a pair of 6DJ8s from Sylvania, The actual box says JAN with a NATO stock number and a packing date of 12-72, So they're older than I am. The Power valves came in Westinghouse Boxes, Both valves look identical, One says General Electric on the base, other other has no clear markings.
Voltage already set to 230v (it actually says 230v, not 220 like on the website, images in the manual pdf also indicate 230v).
The amplifier is quite heavy, and quite a bit larger than my Solid state one (which was bought at a not too different price some 6 years ago)
- Build Quality is outstanding,
- Underneath there is some venting, through these you can see how thick the panels are, or at least how thick the floor is.
- The Input selector knob travels with a satisfying 'click'.
- The volume knob is solid and travels smoothly from start to finish. It isn't loose or stiff, It sort of glides.
- The casework is satisfyingly solid, and the engraved lettering etc is clean and readable.
- The power switch, nice and clicky, satisfying with that slight movement of the button around it's hole (as in you can wobble the like knob a tad with the clearance allowed).
- Installing tubes was both easy and concerning, having never done them before, you feel like you might break something, being glass and all. But follow the instructions and keep with it, the contacts in the socket will spread slightly to accept the pin at which point it continues easily enough.
- Case Temperature is relatively cool, presumably because the major contributers to heat are on the outside.
- Valve temp is moderate, You can feel it with your hand in proximity, The power Valves put out the most heat, Using a IR thermometer, I measured a Valve base temp of 95C closest to the glass envelope. Measuring through the envelope (note, reflective surfaces can intefere with readings to varying amounts), gets a plate temp (if that is what it is) of 120C. Room temp is about 25C. Blowing air over the valves, DOES lower temps, both at the base of the valve and on surfaces internally, The difference is many tens of degrees and is immediately measurable. Temp is steadily dropping as I wrote this. High 60s external, high 70s internal. If you like cooling things down like me, you may derive satisfaction from this. No discernible difference in sound based upon valve temps. But i'm the last person to ask on sound. I figure any heat other than what the cathode is getting from it's heater is basically waste heat.
- The Amp shares a desk with a PC with many fans and radiator / pump, with a 5v USB fan pointed at it, If 'microphonics' is an issue, then it isn't in my situation. I've tried cranking up the fans for more vibration in the desk, If it is there, it isn't audible over the sound rushing water and air (duh). There are nice rubber feet on the amp itself. In any case I'm not concerned.
All in all, I'm really impressed by the Amp's physical qualities (that I can see). If any other Aussies and Kiwis are on the fence, I hope it helps.
Also, been using a pair of 32 ohm headphones, doesn't sound bad to me.
Edited by Zeruel the 14th - 12/20/11 at 4:29am
Or are you just a big A2A fan?
