Not having heard a Violectric I had this impression it had some warmth from earlier reviews. Is that not true? Were you using the same DAC or was the Violectric‘s optional DAC used? i have never thought of the WA22 as particularly warm sounding for a tube amp; more neutral than my WA5 or...

I recall my 6SE blinked too, and IIRC it signals from the rectifier that the output tubes are coming up to power, as is common on many tube amps. I wouldn’t worry. But I would look at upgrading the stock 5 U4G rectifier tube to either a Brimar (these used to be cheaper, maybe see Langrex tube...

Yeah, there’s really no free ride with the WA5. A decent pair of 300bs is about $800 (EML), plus $200 for good NOS 6SN7s, then another $200-320 for the rectifiers. And that’s not the top of the line 300bs either but really just good mid level. I think the amp is the cheapest part! I’ve been...

Three so far. Two have gone south.

I am stocking up on tubes to try.out in the Leben. So far, I’ve assembled the following: JJ KT77 Genelex Gold Lion KT77 Winged C EL34 various NOS 6CJ3/6DW4 rectifiers JJ and EH ECC82/12AU7a and 12BH7a tubes. Trying to keep from going too crazy. What’s a good NOS 12AU7a or 12BH7a? Does the...

I am sure you know this but if not - the WA22 really excels when using as a fully balanced amp - meaning using a source with balanced outputs and headphones using balanced cables. When I’ve used an unbalanced source - even the same source but with RCA cables instead of the XLRs, it was less...

well, I just ordered a Leben CS600x integrated amp to better drive my Devore loudspeakers. On the Leben thread, lots of love for both the 300 and 600 as a headphone amp, so looking forward to seeing how the Leben stacks up.

I’ve just ordered a 600x , and I own a Woo WA5 and a WA22 so it will be interesting to compare when the Leben arrives. The WA5 is a fantastic headphone amp - it makes every headphone I own achieve its full potential. It also drives a pair of Devore The Nines to very loud levels and as a 300b...

I just put my name down for a new 600x so it will be a while, but happy to report when it comes in. I’m Using a Woo WA5 as my current headphone and speaker amp, and it will be fun to compare it’s 10wpc 300b to the Leben’s 28 wpc

I think I’m going to pursue the EML XLS since my amp does double duty powering Devore Nines and I could use the extra juice the XLS seems to provide over the mesh. Either that or the Sophia Princess Electric 300b. I’d love to try the Taks but I’d almost rather spend that extra towards upgrading...

Just a personal nit - I am not a fan of Chinese clones. It’s one thing to design and test and refine a piece of gear and perfect its build, and another to clone and offer a copy devoid of the expense of R&D. I’ve seen plenty of clones of gear like the EAR 834p and I’ve zero desire to support...

A WA22 is a solid choice then. I also loved the WA33 but not enough to pony up. another amp to consider in your price range is the Violetric 280 or 281. It has the power of the WA22 and not the expense of Tubes. Massdrop had a group buy for a decent price - under your budget. I hear only good...

I’m guessing $1200-1500. The Gen 2 was more of a feature upgrade (eg use as a preamp) and price increased $500. But the sonic character is close. On tubes, cost varies widely. I’ve had great luck acquiring Brimar/Langrex 5AU4s for about $25-30, much less than Sophia 274s. The Mullard 6080s are...

Thanks Reel. Did you ever try the basic EML?