I finally get to compare my two favourite amps. More to come
That looks like its going to be fun.
I finally get to compare my two favourite amps. More to come
Matched Pair Shuguang 2A3C-T Premium Nature Sound Vacuum tube High-end Gift Box https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00MLX9N5C/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_jwRqzb1PB1GJEThose particular tubes are by Psvane and the price new has stayed between $240-280 from what I've seen. They show up gently used occasionally.
Will definitely consider them! They're quite expensive for a pair of them at around $283 on Amazon. Any other reputable sites to get tubes for better prices?
Now we're talking! I'll DM you about it.I've got a pair of lightly used Shuguang natural sound 2A3C-Ts that I'll sell to you for cheap. They've been sitting in their case on a bookshelf ever since I got a pair of KR 2A3s
Any update on the comparison between to the amplifiers? I was always considering the WA5LE and it was the amp I was saving up for for awhile, but then I saw this thread on the DNA Stratus and heard about how good they are with the HD800 and I just had to order them. Do they sound similar to eachother? Or is there a stark contrast between the two? Cheers!I finally get to compare my two favourite amps. More to come
I finally get to compare my two favourite amps. More to come
Awesome! Can't wait to hear more comparisons between the two!Sorry guys, I have moved house so there was little time for headphone listening. I did get a couple of nights on both and make no mistake both are excellent and owning any of them is a privilege. My WA5 LE is the original version with upgraded caps. I haven't listened to the new model but I've been told there isn't much between them.
I've realised with tube amps it's also about the tubes as there is a massive difference between stock and what I currently have on both of them. The Stratus uses WE422A with RCA Single plate and Sylvania GB 6BQ7A/6N1P triple mica. The WA5 is on Sophia Princess carbon/Elrog 300B, Sylvania 6SN7WGT and Sophia princes rectifier. I have a pair of Tung Sol round plate on the way that should be a little bit better.
Now for the sound I enjoy both no doubt about it. The difference is in the presentation. The WA5 has a bigger soundstage with excellent but a bit forward mids. I would say it's a very fun amplifier to listen to and will be my work horse during the day. The only downside is a slight grain and harshness in the treble which is noticeable with the LCD4 but not the HD650.
The Stratus on the other hand has a smaller soundstage but has more detail and air, it is very well balanced as nothing stands out, without any sort of grain or harshness. These are the major differences I could hear between them so far.
Just for sound quality I feel the Stratus is better and will be used only when I want to focus on music, for those special moments when I listen to my favourite songs. I'm hoping the Stellaris will increase the gap even if at this point it's hard to imagine anything sounding better.
I wouldn't mind more comments on the Big beautiful blue beast...Oh the Stellaris... Any idea when yours arrives?
I can't even comment on the amp because I will just sound like a blubbering idiot.
Sorry guys, I have moved house so there was little time for headphone listening. I did get a couple of nights on both and make no mistake both are excellent and owning any of them is a privilege. My WA5 LE is the original version with upgraded caps. I haven't listened to the new model but I've been told there isn't much between them.
I've realised with tube amps it's also about the tubes as there is a massive difference between stock and what I currently have on both of them. The Stratus uses WE422A with RCA Single plate and Sylvania GB 6BQ7A/6N1P triple mica. The WA5 is on Sophia Princess carbon/Elrog 300B, Sylvania 6SN7WGT and Sophia princes rectifier. I have a pair of Tung Sol round plate on the way that should be a little bit better.
Now for the sound I enjoy both no doubt about it. The difference is in the presentation. The WA5 has a bigger soundstage with excellent but a bit forward mids. I would say it's a very fun amplifier to listen to and will be my work horse during the day. The only downside is a slight grain and harshness in the treble which is noticeable with the LCD4 but not the HD650.
The Stratus on the other hand has a smaller soundstage but has more detail and air, it is very well balanced as nothing stands out, without any sort of grain or harshness. These are the major differences I could hear between them so far.
Just for sound quality I feel the Stratus is better and will be used only when I want to focus on music, for those special moments when I listen to my favourite songs. I'm hoping the Stellaris will increase the gap even if at this point it's hard to imagine anything sounding better.
I got the BeePre as I always prefered a preamp in the chain ever since the quickie and I couldn't resist a 300B one. At first I was curious on how it will change the sound and I do feel there was just a bit more richness. I'm keeping the BeePre in the chain as I've modified it to take the balanced output from the Yggy using transformers just like the Stellaris. I do hear the improvement over the RCA out of the yggy and this gives me the added benefit of isolating the dac and amp so I don't have to worry about ground loops. In addition I use it to route the output to my other amplifiers so I can listen to the WA5, Stratus and 600i from the balanced out of the yggy.