[Huck]

Hi: I have a fully loaded (minus Dact) black WA6 coming in about three weeks, so what do I need to know about "burn-in" or whatever. I have no clue what tubes are coming,other than ones coming with the stock WA6. This replaces a CI Audio VHP-2 amp and VAC-1 power supply, using Senn hD-600's with Equinox cable. Thanks,Keith

 

[wfranklin]

See if you can ditch the rectifier almost immediately, and replace with a NOS GZ34 or 5AR4. Metal base GZ34's are highly touted, but will cost you almost as much as the amp. Plenty of other NOS options at a fraction of the price. See earlier threads regarding tube rolling for the WA6.

 

[takezo]

don't ditch the stock tubes jack is sending along with the unit...
use them for the burn-in process. you'll notice fluctuation of SQ
from the get go all the way till approx. 700+ hrs. this does not mean
the SQ is so bad that it'll unbearable, not at all...

you don't need an exotic and expensive power cord for the unit,
which doesn't come with one supplied btw...a volex 17604 for
approx. $10 seems to hit the sweet spot for SQ with the wa-6 maxed...
it's as good or better than a $150 power cord i use to have...

 

[jamato8]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takezo /img/forum/go_quote.gif don't ditch the stock tubes jack is sending along with the unit... use them for the burn-in process. you'll notice fluctuation of SQ from the get go all the way till approx. 700+ hrs. this does not mean the SQ is so bad that it'll unbearable, not at all... you don't need an exotic and expensive power cord for the unit, which doesn't come with one supplied btw...a volex 17604 for approx. $10 seems to hit the sweet spot for SQ with the wa-6 maxed... it's as good or better than a $150 power cord i use to have...

I have a highly thought of after market power cord and got the 17604 after reading your comments. It is good and is staying on the 6.

Yep, use that rectifier as you burn the unit in. Find some old RCA 6DE7 (late 1950 very early 1960). You will also find many varieties. Some I like some I don't but for me the earlier the better because that is when tube manufacture was at its hight and companies cared about quality.

 

[cAsE sEnSiTiVe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takezo /img/forum/go_quote.gif don't ditch the stock tubes jack is sending along with the unit... use them for the burn-in process. you'll notice fluctuation of SQ from the get go all the way till approx. 700+ hrs. this does not mean the SQ is so bad that it'll unbearable, not at all... you don't need an exotic and expensive power cord for the unit, which doesn't come with one supplied btw...a volex 17604 for approx. $10 seems to hit the sweet spot for SQ with the wa-6 maxed... it's as good or better than a $150 power cord i use to have...

Totally agree about the burn-in, and a ton of thanks on that AC cord tip. I've been searching for a cord, and you've saved me some bucks.

Regarding an immediate replacement of the rectifier, part of what makes our hobby so wonderful....and frustrating, is being able to hear the various changes & improvements that upgrading components affords you. I prefer get a good grasp on the sound of something before I think about making a switch. Keeps things fresh that way.

Take care...

 

[jamato8]

I wish I could retire, I would get back out on the edge as in the past. . oh well.

CaSe SeNsItIvE, welcome, nice source. Yep, many choices. At least most of the tubes aren't too expensive, well those metal base ain't cheap but they last forever. I am thinking hard about the Sophia 274b mesh plate after I change the first cap to 8uf and do some other modifications.

 

[Huck]

As far as "burning in" goes, I was planning on running it continuously with an f.m. signal,so should I burn for so long and then cool down for a while and start burning again, or just listen to it in it's regular location on the rack? Thanks, Huck

 

[mikeymad]

Hey Huck, I have always done continuious burning. I am not sure of a cycle approach. My SS amps stay on all the time, and my Tube amps are on most of the time (for weeks at a time). I always think that there is more damage done to a tube from turning it off every day than running it all the time.

Cheers,

 

[Huck]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeymad /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hey Huck, I have always done continuious burning. I am not sure of a cycle approach. My SS amps stay on all the time, and my Tube amps are on most of the time (for weeks at a time). I always think that there is more damage done to a tube from turning it off every day than running it all the time. Cheers,

Hey mikeymad.... I notice you have a maxxed WA6, so how many hours continuous did you burn-in for, (50,100,200?) before you could actually listen normally? Thanks, Huck

 

[mikeymad]

I got mine second hand, but I don't think that it was all the way burned in when I got it. I probably ran mine for about a month or so when I got it. I probably turned it off a couple of times to roll the tubes. I listened to it during that time, but probably close to 700 hours before I 'really' put it to the test.

Sad to say that it is not plugged in right now because of the attention the WA5 is getting at the moment.

Cheers,

 

[Ricey20]

I also bought 3 volexs to use with my DAC, WA6, and other amp. Good power cable for the price.

 

[cAsE sEnSiTiVe]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ricey20 /img/forum/go_quote.gif I also bought 3 volexs to use with my DAC, WA6, and other amp. Good power cable for the price.

I just ordered 4 of them myself this morning from Carlton Bates. Look forward to seeing how they work out with this combo.

Jamato, thank you for the welcome. I'm reasonably new to headphones, as I am in a smaller place now that isn't terribly friendly to a larger rig. So I am exploring the wonderful world of cans.

So far, so very good!

 

[charlie1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by wfranklin /img/forum/go_quote.gif See if you can ditch the rectifier almost immediately, and replace with a NOS GZ34 or 5AR4. Metal base GZ34's are highly touted, but will cost you almost as much as the amp. Plenty of other NOS options at a fraction of the price. See earlier threads regarding tube rolling for the WA6.

I also ordered a maxed out WA6,except KEN at ALO sent Jack silver solid core teflon wire to wire it. Talking about TUBES, what is the thought about the MULLARD GZ34 metal base-the WESTERN ELECTRIC 274B and the 5u4g black plate SVETLANA tube? I ordered all of these so that I will have them when I get the AMP. I know that the SVETLANA is not in the same league of the others, but some really seem to like it so I thought I would try it. ANY THOUGHTS?? Also hase anyone tried the DACT DCT2 stepped attenuator that is offered for the WA6? I noticed that no one mentions it as one of there options. The reason I'm asking is because I got that option also. (ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT ALSO)

 

[takezo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by cAsE sEnSiTiVe /img/forum/go_quote.gif Totally agree about the burn-in, and a ton of thanks on that AC cord tip. I've been searching for a cord, and you've saved me some bucks. Regarding an immediate replacement of the rectifier, part of what makes our hobby so wonderful....and frustrating, is being able to hear the various changes & improvements that upgrading components affords you. I prefer get a good grasp on the sound of something before I think about making a switch. Keeps things fresh that way. Take care...

agreed...for me that's about a rectifier per month...LOL

Quote:

Originally Posted by charlie1 I also ordered a maxed out WA6,except KEN at ALO sent Jack silver solid core teflon wire to wire it. Talking about TUBES, what is the thought about the MULLARD GZ34 metal base-the WESTERN ELECTRIC 274B and the 5u4g black plate SVETLANA tube? I ordered all of these so that I will have them when I get the AMP. I know that the SVETLANA is not in the same league of the others, but some really seem to like it so I thought I would try it. ANY THOUGHTS?? Also hase anyone tried the DACT DCT2 stepped attenuator that is offered for the WA6? I noticed that no one mentions it as one of there options. The reason I'm asking is because I got that option also. (ANY THOUGHTS ON THAT ALSO)

talk about splurging...silver is pretty expensive nowadays too...
the mullard gz34 metal base is the most dynamic and authoritative rectifier
you'll probably encounter...the 274b by we is not mesh so you won't need
to modify the first cap from the rectifier...kinda rich for my budget at $500+
per pop and that's for used ones...but if indications are right, the 274b tops
the 5r4gy in soundstage, clarity and resolution...the russian 5u4g are good
sounding tubes but nothing to write up about...it's good for burning in the
black gate caps in the maxed unit...the DACT stepped attenuator is an
upgrade that recently showed up, but i don't think it's necessary unless you
have a high gain amp like the wa5...maybe you can share your impressions
on it after some break-in period.

 

[jamato8]

The DACT attenuator is something I have used for years. It is very clean and does little harm to the signal. It is extremely high quality and well made. It can only add to quality of the sound. The one problem is that sometimes the first 5 steps can be too great. There is a kit of 6 resistors to change this but it is like soldering dust they are so small. Maybe DACT offers this as a predone attenuator as they should because often the initial steps are too large.