[AudioDuck]

Darn. In that case the only other thing I can think of is adding a something like a schiit sys between the wa2 and your amp. Adding another component in the chain isn't ideal, but that depends on how annoying reconnecting your rca wires is

Thank you! True, that would be an option.

I think the current plan will be to use @vlach ’s suggestion about shutdown/power-up sequence.

Longer term I’ll “bite the bullet” and get a passive preamp (Luminous Audio makes a small/purist one that isn’t expensive per se) that is adjusted for my system. Luminous does that as part of the purchase, so the gain limits of a passive unit aren’t an issue.

While that negates the benefit of having the WA2 as part of my speaker system, I ended up finding such a good power amp that I trust it will sound great with a passive preamp… and the goodness of the tubes will be “reserved” for headphone listening.

 

[jonathan c]

Bliss…

[RFT EZ81 foil getter, Telefunken ECC801S, Thomson-CSF 6080WA…..ZMF Atrium LTD Cocobolo]

 

[jonathan c]

The best headphone amp partner that I have for Beyerdynamic DT-880 (600 ohms). The WA2 is sporting pairs of RFT EZ81 (foil getter), Raytheon 6080, Genalex/Gold Lion 6922 (cryo treated):

 

[jonathan c]

Another mighty ‘tasty’ trio roll for WA2: RFT EZ81 (foil getter), Raytheon 6080WC, and Mullard 6201 (gold pin) ! Deep deep bass, luscious midrange, breezy treble ! The HD6XX, via Norne Audio Vygarde, sounds especially good !

 

[billerb1]

Another mighty ‘tasty’ trio roll for WA2: RFT EZ81 (foil getter), Raytheon 6080WC, and Mullard 6201 (gold pin) ! Deep deep bass, luscious midrange, breezy treble ! The HD6XX, via Norne Audio Vygarde, sounds especially good !

It's time to stop messin' around and step up to the Telefunken G73-R. It's time J.

 

[Wes S]

It's time to stop messin' around and step up to the Telefunken G73-R. It's time J.

I concur.

 

[jonathan c]

Except that it would have to be a pair ==> kilodollar(s)…

 

[jonathan c]

Plus: with that black internal damping, there would be no G73-R glow (?) and does look like it was dropped from a Messerschmitt ME109 in WWII…

 

[billerb1]

Except that it would have to be a pair ==> kilodollar(s)…

I feel ya bro. My thoughts exactly before I pulled the trigger. But after the first 5 minutes I've
never even thought about looking back. I've sold a bunch of my prior #1's and #2's since to ease
the monetary pain. Get on with it. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

 

[jonathan c]

I feel ya bro. My thoughts exactly before I pulled the trigger. But after the first 5 minutes I've
never even thought about looking back. I've sold a bunch of my prior #1's and #2's since to ease
the monetary pain. Get on with it. Trust me, you'll thank me later.

 

[billerb1]

The Great Pennsylvania Tube Sale coming soon !!!!!!!!! You won't want to play with any of
your current toys after you hear these.

 

[billerb1]

Since I moved to the Telefunken G73R's, my former #1 Telefunken ECC801S's (matched pair) are now available in the Classifieds. Great deal.
PM me.

 

[jonathan c]

 

[David222]

Powered on my new WA2 this evening - what a wonderful sound. I've never heard an OTL prior to this. Fantastic

Rolling: RFT EZ81 (foil getter), GEC 6080s, Mullard CV4108/7308 (my personal favorites)

 

[AudioDuck]

Powered on my new WA2 this evening - what a wonderful sound. I've never heard an OTL prior to this. Fantastic

Rolling: RFT EZ81 (foil getter), GEC 6080s, Mullard CV4108/7308 (my personal favorites)

Congratulations- nice setup around the WA2 as well! Glad to hear you are pleased- with those tubes the WA2 definitely would shine! If you are ever interested in using 12AU7/12AT7/12AX7s, the WA2 does exceptionally well with a pair of adapters.

I was really pleased with going from Amperex PQ (“White Shield”) 7308s to Brimar CV455s (and several other tubes from that family), thanks to @jonathan c . And ultimately I’d be perfectly happy with RFT EZ81s (also foil getters), Tung-Sol USN 7236s, and the Brimar CV455s in my WA2…