[BrucYSN]

Hi guys
      
     MY wa22 is on the way now, so I need some tubes to play with for LCD-2 and HD800
 
Jack told me the Sophi 274B +  CV181 + Sly 7236 are good combo, How ever it seems like these are the upgrade tubes listed on his website. How ever I wanna know if there other 6080/6AS7 and 6SN7 possibilities. I kinda wanna more bass for HD800 but not too much with LCD-2 since it's not that bass shy. 
 
One more thing, cwhat's the popular price now for a matched pair of CV181 from ShuGuang, I saw some on ebay for 120+ from a topseller, that's like 50% off from Woo Audio price. I wonder what makes the difference. 
 
Where do you guys buy the tubes? any online store you know that has great stock of tubes?? 
 
Thanks for the help
 
Bruce
 
 

 

[Icenine2]

Bruce,
 
Head on over to the Woo thread here http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/428570/woo-audio-amp-owner-unite  I have a WA22+T1 and use the EML 5U4G+Shuguang Treasures.  To me they sound great.  The stock 5U does sound pretty good too.  If you go to the thread you'll get a grand discussion on the best tube options so be prepared!  You will love the amp.  A few of the guys have the LCD's as well.

 

[BrucYSN]

Thanks, it's just seems like a huge thread...

 

[jc9394]

Power: TS5998
Drive: Treasure or Brimar CV1988, TS BGRP if money is not an issue
Rectifier: EML 5U4G or Mullard GZ34/GZ37

Be prepare to spent time and mkney hunting them down.

 

[BrucYSN]

Quote:

Power: TS5998
Drive: Treasure or Brimar CV1988, TS BGRP if money is not an issue
Rectifier: EML 5U4G or Mullard GZ34/GZ37

Be prepare to spent time and mkney hunting them down.

Where did yo u get the TS5998 different from the 7236? It seems hard to find a matched pair of them.
Is it the Treasure CV181z that you mention for driver tubes? better than Brimar CV1988?
I thought the 274B is better for LCD-2 did you get bloated bass for LCD-2 with EML 5u4g?
 
Thanks
 
Bruce
 

 

[BrucYSN]

bump

 

[SDMAN]

Ill second the Tung-sol 5998 for power tubes. Ive had my WA22 for about 6 weeks (maybe a bit longer) and thats the power tube I use. I found mine in Britain, and they were NOS JAN still in original boxes, dated 10/61. Im currently using Treasures for the driver tubes, but I'm going to try the Mullard ECC32's. I have tried 2 Sophia Princess tubes in my WA22, but both had a hum/buzz in the left channel. Im currently using the rectifier I got with the amp (which is dead quiet), and have ordered an EML mesh rectifier from Jack at Woo. Im also ordering an NOS Mullard GZ37/CV378 rectifier from Britain.

 

[jc9394]

Quote:

Ill second the Tung-sol 5998 for power tubes. Ive had my WA22 for about 6 weeks (maybe a bit longer) and thats the power tube I use. I found mine in Britain, and they were NOS JAN still in original boxes, dated 10/61. Im currently using Treasures for the driver tubes, but I'm going to try the Mullard ECC32's. I have tried 2 Sophia Princess tubes in my WA22, but both had a hum/buzz in the left channel. Im currently using the rectifier I got with the amp (which is dead quiet), and have ordered an EML mesh rectifier from Jack at Woo. Im also ordering an NOS Mullard GZ37/CV378 rectifier from Britain.

Great choice but your WA22 will run much warmer than using the 5U4G, just check the chassis temp once a while.  I ran mines for over 6 hours and it seems to be fine.
 

 

[BrucYSN]

Brimar CV1988 or Ken-rad VT-231 any difference? I think i can get a new matched pair of Vt-231 for around $170

 

[BrucYSN]

Isn't 5u4g is a bit too bassy for LCD-2? probably better for HD800

 

[SDMAN]

Quote:

Great choice but your WA22 will run much warmer than using the 5U4G, just check the chassis temp once a while.  I ran mines for over 6 hours and it seems to be fine.
 

Thanks for that input. I will check the temp out. Should have that NOS Mullard GZ37/CV378 rectifier in a couple of weeks. Its bought and paid for, but international mail is very slow.

 
 

 

[Golfnutz]

SD, I have the GZ37 in my WA22. As JC said, it might make your amp run a little warmer. To be honest, I couldn't detect any noticeable difference between the EML and GZ37 related to heat. I never run it for more then 4 hours at a time just to make sure.  I did notice the GZ37 sounded much different when the CD player was connected direct via connected through my surround processor (Anthem D1) to the WA22. In my system, I doubt anyone would be able to hear the difference between both of them when it comes to SQ - including me in a blind listening test.

 

[SDMAN]

I have a laser heat gun. So maybe Ill take a reading with the current cheapie rectifier prior to plugging in the GZ37 and we can see if there is any difference. And exactly what that difference is.

 

[HeadSource]

I'm also a recent owner of the Woo WA22. 
 
Rectifier Tubes -> I have tried the Sophia Princess 274B and experienced hum biased towards left. I am now using EML5u4g with no hum and similar sound quality to 274b. I'm also now considering NOS 5u4g like 1950 RCA (has any one tried these?) / Mullard CV378 Straight Brown base (I'd be very interest in anyone's feedback on these).
 
Amp getting hot -> I found my amp runs cooler after I added a 2000watt capacity 240v to 220v step down transformer ( I'm In Australia and get up to 250v mains utility voltage) I got mine from http://www.tortech.com.au/category/other-stepdowns/
 
Driver Tubes -> I find the RCA 6cg7 a good match with  the LCD2. There is a definite increase in bass tightness and attack over the GE 6sn7gtb.... over all a more crisp sound which is good thing for the inherently darker sounding LCDs (6sn7 does lack base control and makes the LCD sound a little fat, but 6cg7 is not as warm and am not sure if the sound stage is as deep. Seamaster's notes has helped a lot.  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Source-Pioneer PD91+Trichord Clk 4 and NC PSU | DAC- Benchmark DAC1Pre | Interconnects-Sharkwire Pure Silver | Amp-WooAudioWA22 (EML5U4G|Sylvania7236|RCA 6CG7) | Headphones - Senn HD650 + Audeze LCD2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

[kchew]

I have used the Mullard GZ37/CV378 on my WA22 and the heat depends on the power tubes used. With the TS 5998, the chassis is just a bit warmer than with the EML 5U4G. But with 6080 tubes, it gets really hot. So hot that I can't touch it for longer than 6 seconds. I've run my amp at that temp for 8 hours with no problems though, as long as there's plenty of ventilation and some air circulating it should be fine.