Kiats
Headphoneus Supremus
Agree on the WA 2 and the HD800 and T1. Another two cans I enjoy with the WA2 are the AKG 812 and AKG702. 
Franatic
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I just had a very good tube find on a tube I've not been able to read anything about. It is a pair of National Electronics 421As. Evidently these were made in Geneva, Illinois for Western Electric after they stopped making 421As. Probably manufactured in the late '60s. This is a fantastic tube. I got a NOS pair for $275 on ebay...didn't want to pay 500+++ for WE421As.
I currently have GEC 6AS7G & GEC 6080 along with Tung Sol 5998s....all great tubes and the GEC 6AS7G being my favorite. That has changed.
The NE 421As now top my list. Open, airy, and incredibly detailed with great power. The dynamic extension from top to bottom is perfect. Deep articulate bass and extensive crystal clear highs that extend beyond anything I've heard yet. It's very similar to the Tung Sol 5998, only it does everything better. It's sort of like the comparison of the GEC 6AS7G to the GEC 6080. From my listening I would guess they are at least equal to the WE421As. I can't imagine it getting better in this amp.
I've reached my end game with the Woo WA2. Currently running Brimar EZ80, Siemens CCA & NE 421A. My SQ is off the charts, as if the system is not there....only music.
..................unless I find a pair of those damned Amperex pinched waist 6922s
I currently have GEC 6AS7G & GEC 6080 along with Tung Sol 5998s....all great tubes and the GEC 6AS7G being my favorite. That has changed.
The NE 421As now top my list. Open, airy, and incredibly detailed with great power. The dynamic extension from top to bottom is perfect. Deep articulate bass and extensive crystal clear highs that extend beyond anything I've heard yet. It's very similar to the Tung Sol 5998, only it does everything better. It's sort of like the comparison of the GEC 6AS7G to the GEC 6080. From my listening I would guess they are at least equal to the WE421As. I can't imagine it getting better in this amp.
I've reached my end game with the Woo WA2. Currently running Brimar EZ80, Siemens CCA & NE 421A. My SQ is off the charts, as if the system is not there....only music.
..................unless I find a pair of those damned Amperex pinched waist 6922s
walls
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Probably been answered 100 times already but thought I would ask anyways. Where can I find a matched pair of TS 5998's and are the Chatham the same tube? If so where to buy? Thanks, lol.
Franatic
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From what I read the Chatham 2399/5998 is pretty much the same tube as the Tung Sol and should sound great. The thing to look for is the six-dimpled "Domino" plates. I have had good luck getting them on eBay. Please check that it is a reputable seller and be patient as prices vary. Expect to pay $150-$200/pair.
Franatic
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Walls, if you are willing to pay $200, this is a nice pair. I'll bet they sound great.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-Pair-JAN-CAHG-5998-Vacuum-Tubes-Same-Date-Amplitrex-Tested-100-/400862458778
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Matched-Pair-JAN-CAHG-5998-Vacuum-Tubes-Same-Date-Amplitrex-Tested-100-/400862458778
walls
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Franatic
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From what I read those are actually made by Tung Sol and rebranded for Chatham. I can say with reasonable confidence that it will perform just like a Tung Sol 5998.
It even has one tube with a piece a glass in it. That is a trademark of those tubes. 2 of my 4 TS5998s have a piece of glass floating in them. It has no effect on performance.
The listing says 30 day money back guarantee if you don't like them. How can you lose?
It even has one tube with a piece a glass in it. That is a trademark of those tubes. 2 of my 4 TS5998s have a piece of glass floating in them. It has no effect on performance.
The listing says 30 day money back guarantee if you don't like them. How can you lose?
Behemoth27
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Was hoping someone could help me with the background noise when used as a preamp (volume all the way down). I think a tube may be bad, but with headphones there is almost no noise. (EDIT: the noise is different in each channel, and travels when I swap tubes). I have to really strain to hear it with headphones and make sure it's silent in the room. However, when I use it as a preamp the noise is pretty loud. Otherwise the power amp is silent.
I'm mainly just wondering if everyone's WA2 is significantly noisier in preamp mode. Because I have no complaints about it with headphones. But the noise essentially forbids any kind of low volume listening in preamp mode.
Thanks
I'm mainly just wondering if everyone's WA2 is significantly noisier in preamp mode. Because I have no complaints about it with headphones. But the noise essentially forbids any kind of low volume listening in preamp mode.
Thanks
Franatic
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I once had a noise problem in my audio system and it was caused by a ground loop issue caused by my input to my audio system from my cable TV system. I isolated the problem and switched my audio out of my TV from RCA to optical.....eliminating the loop.
Just a thought, I"m sure there are many possible causes. My preamp out to my system is very quiet with virtually no noise floor. Being you don't have the noise in your headphones it doesn't seem like its tube related. Good luck.
Just a thought, I"m sure there are many possible causes. My preamp out to my system is very quiet with virtually no noise floor. Being you don't have the noise in your headphones it doesn't seem like its tube related. Good luck.
StanT
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My WA2 is dead quiet when used as a preamp.
If it moves when you swap tubes, it's a tube.
If it moves when you swap tubes, it's a tube.
Behemoth27
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Yeah I think one of the two telefunken's might be bad. But with stock tubes, it's definitely not silent. What tubes are you using?
There is the slightest noise with headphones. I mean I have to try really hard to hear it. I'm going to systematically go through and take notes swapping tubes. I've only got the stock ones to compare to, but maybe I'll figure something out.
Are the left and right tubes fully independent? Or is one side considered a V1 to the other? In other words, will a tube perform the same on both sides?
StanT
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Chatham 2399s, Mazda E88cc, & RFT EZ80 at the moment. I really didn't care for the stock tubes.
The Chatham2399s are the same as 5998s, the Mazda are identical to Phillips SQ
walls
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Bought them, will be here Tuesday. Will let you know my thoughts after I hear them. Thanks!
Prophet293
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any WA2 owners have the HD800? how does the WA2 sound compare to the HDVD800?
mikoss
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Oh boy, I would be interested in hearing the WA2 + HD-800's myself. I can't even imagine the soundstaging you'd get with some of the tube combos (7236 power tubes come to mind...)
I'd guess you might need to be wary of the top end as I've heard this is the biggest nitpick of the 800's (if there is something to nitpick). The WA2 can be warm, smooth and airy though, so I'd think it would sound very nice with 800's... sorry I haven't auditioned them with it, but I'll try at the next meet. I'm hesitant to get a pair as I'm in love with the 650's myself.
I'd guess you might need to be wary of the top end as I've heard this is the biggest nitpick of the 800's (if there is something to nitpick). The WA2 can be warm, smooth and airy though, so I'd think it would sound very nice with 800's... sorry I haven't auditioned them with it, but I'll try at the next meet. I'm hesitant to get a pair as I'm in love with the 650's myself.
