macedonianhero said:

The differences between the TS5998/TS7236/Syl7236 was pretty minor. But over the 6080 was pretty big.

Agreed on the looks, the TS5998s were the best there.

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I prefer the GEC 6080 or GEC 6AS7G look the most, they are not that good with LCD-2 but excellent with HD800.

Quote:

solude said:

KG or AMB do add steps but I don't see performance gains...

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i agree, but i'm generally not a fan of SAs with only 24-steps in HP amps unless driving less efficient or higher impedance HPs.  i tend to ride the volume knob and prefer pots.  it's a personal preference.  i like the simplicity of a pot or SA as well.  

I only tried the 6080 out of curiosity and the LCD-2 I had at the time felt way underpowered IMO.

They also ran very hot compared to 7236/5998

macedonianhero said:

The differences between the TS5998/TS7236/Syl7236 was pretty minor. But over the 6080 was pretty big.

Agreed on the looks, the TS5998s were the best there.

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Comparison has started.  Thankfully with the DAC-2's ability to mod the maximum output in fixed mode... we're matched at 78dB white noise, c weighted. Yay!

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mwilson said:

I only tried the 6080 out of curiosity and the LCD-2 I had at the time felt way underpowered IMO.
They also ran very hot compared to 7236/5998

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Yep, my experiences exactly.

That time again.  This time out we have an actual factual competition where either amp could stay and I'd be happy but one needs to go so... lets get on with it.
 

 
The WA22 continued to impress in the face of yet another top tier competitor.  Its natural, dynamic character with its laser precise imaging and great body with complete instrument texture works in most genres and is an easy go to recommendation.
 
Like I said above, this time out the differences are a lot less obvious and where the B22 really shines, put a spotlight on where the WA22 doesn't.  Big disclaimer... in comparison to each other, not global.  Both have great attack and drive.  The WA22 does have the greater of the two with a slight emphasis on those regions projecting attack farther out than the more natural B22 attack.  Tonal balance is similar with the WA22 having more mid bass and upper treble, the B22 more sub-bass and if you can imagine a ruler flat response that is however sloped down towards the treble.  Not terribly so but enough to notice.  Not surprisingly neither amp comes off as bright unless the recording is truly foobar.  The extra body on the WA22 does give it the edge for emotional engagement.  The B22 is only modestly warm so while engaging, its not likely to be a tear jerker.
 
Where the B22 edged out the WA22 was in overall speed as heard in decay and staging.  Where both are laser precise, in comparison to the B22, the WA22 could be described as three blob staging.  An exaggeration but you get the point.  The big benefit for this difference is in busy genres where on lesser systems it can come off as a wall of sound.  The B22's combination of better spacing front to back, left to right and quicker decay add up to breaking up the wall.  I would not describe the WA22 as an amp that suffers from wall of sound but in comparison the B22 better defines the wall.
 
The other thing I want to point out... the B22 is the only amp with solid state sections in the comparisons to reproduce the entire instrument like the WA22 and Trafo do.  Its also freaking huge!
 
So there it is gents.  This round of amp comparisons ends with the B22 on top, my tube itch scratched and a lot of preconceptions squashed.  Hoping not too soon but I will likely be getting a RWA Corvina balanced and Schiit Mjolnir sooner than later to run against the B22.
 
The gents who have been pounding my PMs for first crack at the WA22, check your PMs in a bit

Thank you Solude for such detailed comparison! I wonder if there's a huge difference in sound between 2 and 4 channel b22 (especially for Sennheiser HD800).

Excellent review, I do agree on that beta22 pair LCD-2 better than WA22 (even with TS BGRP and/or 596).  One thing I'm surprise is that you don't want to keep both.  IMHO, they compliant to each other than complete with each other.  
 
On a cold snowy or rainy night, I love the glow of tubes plus slightly warmer, romantic, and to die for female vocal of WA22.  

hmmm, anyone remember this? makes me wonder where the WA6-SE stands vs. the WA22 with the LCD-2...
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/548400/the-woo-wa6se-and-beta22-sigma22-amps-face-off-review-posted

Balanced in to WA22, WA6SE have no chance at all even if you are using TS BGRP on the WA6SE.

Thanks for such a detailed (and expensive) review of these amps.  I had three of the four on my short list with the B22 at the top.  I should be starting mine in a couple of weeks.  Just finalizing details.  I hope for my sake that it does justice to large scale orchestral work(Wagner/Mahler) and small jazz ensemble(Miles/Coltrane). 

So I gather that the WA22 is sonically very similar to the B22 with the B22 trumping it on speed and separation?

To those who have heard the WA22 with the LCD3, How does the WA22 pair with the LCD3?

Ish.  Separation might not be the right word.  The WA22 doesn't blend anything but the B22 spreads them out more across the space which helps the feel of separation.  Clear as mud right? /facepalm
 
I would love to keep extra amps, headphones etc... but I don't have the desk space for it.  Putting the WA22 downstairs for my drum rig seems like an awful overkill and a selfish move for those who would enjoy the WA22 as a primary amp.

My WA22 is sold so my next statement has nothing to do with my own interest (in fact what I encourage will hurt my own interested).  I think you shold go with WA22.  You will have the flexibility to use it for different phones.  People has reported great results pairing LCD3 and WA22.  Of course, this is just my opinion. 
Quote:

darknightdk said:

So I gather that the WA22 is sonically very similar to the B22 with the B22 trumping it on speed and separation?
To those who have heard the WA22 with the LCD3, How does the WA22 pair with the LCD3?

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Quote:

darknightdk said:

So I gather that the WA22 is sonically very similar to the B22 with the B22 trumping it on speed and separation?
To those who have heard the WA22 with the LCD3, How does the WA22 pair with the LCD3?

Click to expand...

 
Seeing that Reg's (now sold) WA22 was originally mine, I've lived with the LCD-3/WA22 combo from Nov 2011 - May 2012 and it is a great combination for sure. That said, I'm not really missing it with the Liquid Fire (w/ E88CC Siemens  tubes).