[punit]

I had both WA6 & WA22 couple of years back. The WA22 is another level compared to WA6 IMO. My WA22 had much better everything (including Bass) compared to WA6.

 

[jc9394]

   
That really surprises me. Is there anyone who upgraded from WA6SE to WA22 or WA2 (or has both) and can briefly compare? Why the upgrade worth it or not (not only with regard to the lows).
I found a reviews WA6 vs WA6SE or WA2 vs WA22 but almost limited information about WA6SE vs WA2/WA22 ...

 
 
Depends on the headphone you are using.  When I had the WA6 (maxxed) and WA22 (maxxed) driving the HD800, the WA22 does not have more bass but much more quality bass.  The biggest differences are in the details and soundstage.  If you are looking for more bass and have a high impedance headphone, go with WA6SE or WA2. 

 

[tmacb3]

Originally Posted by novaca View Post

Do you have some brief comparison of the Cossor GZ37 (53KU) / U52 / Brimar 5Z4G?
Thanks

Ok so I have been trying out the GEC mov u52 vs cossor 53KU (fat bottle gz37) vs we422a in comparison to the first favorite rectifier I used brimar 5z4 and 5r4
The u52 is SS like. Not at holographic or wide. Somewhat for the lack of a better word harsh and somewhat boring. Lasted a day or so. Couldn't get past it's flat sound.

The we422a- well all I can say is this tube is really worth the money. Excellent soundstage. Smooth warm and transparent. Sounded good with just about everything I listened too.

The cossor 53ku, very close to the we422 but little less warmed. Very little less. Sound stage about 90 % of we422a. But I have really warmed up to it. The lows are so much better than most any other rectifier I have used (ecc35s are helping with that also tho) the loses over the we422a are close to being worth it. The wa22 is very lacking in lows so it's nice to have them.

Now when you compare these to the brimar rectifier well brimar doesn't stand a chance but it's the closest you can get for 1/5 the cost. And it really has a nice sound stage. 3D and warm. I liked it because it really smoothed the mids and with jazz mids are nice already.
So my final decision with these is......

The we422a is top dog. Followed close by the cossor 53KU. Then the brimar 5r4
As for the u52 I would not waste your money. And the 5z4 isn't close to the 5r4 to my ears. Well worth the extra money.
We274a will be what I'll test next and let you all know.

Thanks Joe for your "tube thoughts". I will be anxious to hear your comparisons between the we422a and the we274. Did you mean to say we274B or are you looking at the we 274 A? I am just about to pull the trigger on an upgrade rectifier tube for my WA 6SE using a pair of Fostex th900 headphones. It will be interesting if you think the price difference between these two Western Elect. tubes are worth it.

 

[3083joe]

That really surprises me. Is there anyone who upgraded from WA6SE to WA22 or WA2 (or has both) and can briefly compare? Why the upgrade worth it or not (not only with regard to the lows).
I found a reviews WA6 vs WA6SE or WA2 vs WA22 but almost limited information about WA6SE vs WA2/WA22 ...

I had both WA6 & WA22 couple of years back. The WA22 is another level compared to WA6 IMO. My WA22 had much better everything (including Bass) compared to WA6.

Upgraded to wa22 for more power with hd800s.

 

[3083joe]

Thanks Joe for your "tube thoughts". I will be anxious to hear your comparisons between the we422a and the we274. Did you mean to say we274B or are you looking at the we 274 A? I am just about to pull the trigger on an upgrade rectifier tube for my WA 6SE using a pair of Fostex th900 headphones. It will be interesting if you think the price difference between these two Western Elect. tubes are worth it.

I will have the we274 soon. But I did receive another GEC u52. Looks to be a regular one not a military production and I have to say it sounds real good. Way better than the u52 mov that I had.
The we274 that I order is the A my tube supplier doesn't have the B but not any difference just the pins A has 4 and B has 8.
I will give my thought on all four once the 274 is here.

 

[3083joe]

We274 will be here tomorrow. Curious to see if it has any improvement to we422/u52/cossor53ku

 

[playitloud]

We274 will be here tomorrow. Curious to see if it has any improvement to we422/u52/cossor53ku

Very interesting. I also have a WE422a, U52 (inverted cup getter), and Cossor 53KU (GZ37 big bottle). I am especially interested in the comparison between the U52 and WE274 becuase they are both directly heated tubes, whereas the GZ37 and WE422a and indirectly heated.

 

[3083joe]

  Very interesting. I also have a WE422a, U52 (inverted cup getter), and Cossor 53KU (GZ37 big bottle). I am especially interested in the comparison between the U52 and WE274 becuase they are both directly heated tubes, whereas the GZ37 and WE422a and indirectly heated.

WOW is about all i can say, I really didn't expect to see much Improvement with the WE274a but it has the best of all three top NOS rectifiers
Bass is present like the Cossor, Soundstage is wide, like the 422, clarity and depth are pushed beyond the U52, Very impressed!
it an expensive tube but It will take it to the next level for sure.
Really enjoying!

 

[playitloud]

Thanks. I think I have to give myself a Christmas present!

 

[MIKELAP]

  Thanks. I think I have to give myself a Christmas present!

I dont deserve it lol.

 

[3083joe]

I dont deserve it lol.

You both deserve it.

 

[jhljhl]

 
WOW is about all i can say, I really didn't expect to see much Improvement with the WE274a but it has the best of all three top NOS rectifiers
Bass is present like the Cossor, Soundstage is wide, like the 422, clarity and depth are pushed beyond the U52, Very impressed!
it an expensive tube but It will take it to the next level for sure.
Really enjoying!

Yep - I agree.

 

[abvolt]

I've been listening to a Brimar 5Z4GY for a while and it's excellent sounding. I recently pick up this Mullard 5Z4G the two have similar construction the Brimar has an O getr & gray plates whereas the Mullard has a foil D shaped getr & black plates, I also noticed that the Mullard has a heavier weight to it. To me the Mullard is superior sounding, I've also noticed printing on the bottom of this tube does anyone know what it means. Thanks, this tube was lower in cost then the Brimar, it's well worth a listen if one gets a chance the sound I'm getting is just great..
 
 

 

[Shaffer]

Would you say the Mullard has a bigger, tighter, deeper, weightier low-end than the Brimar?

 

[abvolt]

It's definitely punchier in the lows, the mids is where I noticed the biggest differences a wider range very noticeable, I just stumbled across this tube 21. bucks I'll say this hope I can find another it's very nice sounding.