WOO Audio 3+ experience

[MooBin]

It is not the nature of the WA3+. I had hum only with the original 6AS7GA. With the Cetron 7236 it is gone. So this is not inherent in the design of the amp - which was a big relief for me by the way.

I got the following answer back from Jack concerning this issue "Some tubes do have louder noise than the others, even within the same brand. The question is that if the hum is audible while music is playing. If the hum does not interference with normal listening, there is nothing to concern about."

However, I disagree with Jack on the last statement: music does also live from its pauses. If the background is then perceived as dead quiet the playback itself has won quality. Thats at least what I think about this. But anyway my 7236 is quiet - some "like new" 6AS7GA are on its way to my home so I will try them once they do arrive and I will let you know.

 

[MooBin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif The 6DJ8 can be used in the Woo3, and is the better choice IMO. I like the JAN-Sylvania 6DJ8 as a "bang-for-the-buck" tube - can be had NOS for $15 each and sounds very good. These are what I use in my Decware CSP-2. Beyond that I'd look for Amperex Bugle Boys, but be prepared to spend much more money for those.

Now you got me Skylab -

I know I cannot resist for long (I am still trying hard though) before I buy some Cryo treated Bugle Boys - some serious bucks which I know I should have put into my source

but it simply challenges me to get the maximum out of a WA3+. I'll let you know when I roll them in - IF I roll them in (puh...almost certain...or not ?)

 

[Skylab]

I don't recommend Cryo-treating vintage tubes - asking for trouble for probably no benefit. Just get regular Bugle Boys.

 

[MooBin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif I don't recommend Cryo-treating vintage tubes - asking for trouble for probably no benefit. Just get regular Bugle Boys.

Skylab - I do need your help now. This is an experience thing and I dont have any.

It seems that it is hard to find a matched pair of Amperex bugle boys - I saw only offers of single tubes in this category.

a) Do you have any idea where I may find some matched pair of Amperex Bugle Boys ?

I may obtain right away:

b) ECC88 Philips Holland NOS 1975 low noise pair for US$ 125.-- or
c) 6DJ8 IEC Mullard small round "o" getter halo 1960 - 1970 low noise pair for US$ 219.--
d) 6DJ8 Siemens Halske NOS branded "6DJ8 Telefunken" unltra low noise pair for US$ 299.--
e) 6DJ8 Siemens Halske NOS branded "6DJ8 RCA Germany" ultra low noise Kuhl-tube, cryo treated for 36 hours at US$395.-- a pair.

Now this is some serious matter

please help me - from your posts you seem to be the one who knows what he is talking about. What would you recommend out of the options a) to e) - b) seems to be a good deal but I worry about the resolution. And is the US$ 395.-- option really worthwile ? Please say no.

The goal is to have a "musical" sound AND having a very good resolution while not loosing the world class bass I have now already.

This seems to be a complicated matter - but too late - I am infected already. I really need your help now (I use a WA3+ with a 7236 Cetron - interconnects are quite transparent, the source is a bit on the lean side. Music is Jazz, Guitar, Folk, World, Classical.

Thank you very very much if you would like to share your valuable experience with me.

 

[Skylab]

I personally would never spend $300 on ANY pair of 6DJ8. I got my Bugle Boys for like $30 each, but I did buy them individually and I got them on EBay which I can do because I have a tube tester. What are you using now again? I'd suggest getting a pair of the NOS JAN-Sylvanias that tubedepot sells for $30/pair, and start there.

 

[LeMat]

To give you an idea, I just got 4 bugle boy for +-50$ on ebay, tested 10200/10200 and 10000/10000.. sure it's not NOS for this price but these figures look good right ? I'm a newbie in tubes and don't really know (yet) how to detect a good deal Vs a rip off...

 

[Skylab]

Yeah, that seems like a good price. The numbers mean nothing unless you know what tester they are from and what the range from good to bad is, but still that is likely some good tubes.

 

[milkweg]

I almost bought a WA3 but opted for LunchboxPro instead because it was far less money. No hum on my LunchboxPro with any headphones so guess I made the right choice.

 

[jimmyjames8]

Jack is right. I've had my Woo 3 for about 3 years now and just starting to get some hum and it is probably the power tube (Tungsol 6AS7G). Running GrooveTube 6dj8's. Will swap tubes to see if I can make hum go away. If OP's amp hums with tubes from Jack, I would contact Jack and ask to return tubes and amp for check out and repair/replacement. My amp does not hum with tubes that came with. Any hum I have is only audible with amp turned up to 11oclock from 6oclock being volume off and after playing a couple hours. Does not affect SQ while playing music.

 

[MooBin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif I personally would never spend $300 on ANY pair of 6DJ8. I got my Bugle Boys for like $30 each, but I did buy them individually and I got them on EBay which I can do because I have a tube tester. What are you using now again? I'd suggest getting a pair of the NOS JAN-Sylvanias that tubedepot sells for $30/pair, and start there.

I am using 6922 JAN Philips ECG USA and hope that the 6DJ8 will bring an improvement - although the setup sounds quite accceptable already - but who knows what potential is still in it.

 

[Skylab]

I do think the JAN Sylvania 6DJ8 sounds better than the JAN Philips 6922. And I have tried them both.

 

[glitch39]

those BB 6DJ8's can be had for less than $80 a pair. there's a lot of those floating around. prices do go up though. uurrrgh!

 

[MooBin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Skylab /img/forum/go_quote.gif I do think the JAN Sylvania 6DJ8 sounds better than the JAN Philips 6922. And I have tried them both.

Thank you very much for your advice ! I did order exactly as you suggested: a matched pair JAN Sylvania 6DJ8 with Tubedepot. Strange that you may only select "matched" OR "low noise & microphonics" as an testing option and not both.

But I couldn't keep me from trying some low noise 6DJ8 Philips Holland NOS "A" frame getter halo pair as well

So lets see how they are doing - I'll get them in a week or so.

Even with further research I could not get to any Amperex Bugle Boy NOS matched pair offer (well one from Hongkong for more than US$ 200.-- but this one did look suspicious to me - regardless of the price)

 

[MooBin]

Quote:

Originally Posted by glitch39 /img/forum/go_quote.gif those BB 6DJ8's can be had for less than $80 a pair. there's a lot of those floating around. prices do go up though. uurrrgh!

If you tell where I can get a NOS matched low noise pair for this price I would buy it right away - I guess I would then be able to try 3 slightly different and good options (that would be it for the moment then) - but anyway - I do not think they are floating around as you say - spend some hours now in the net and I did not see any floating by (at least not even near the price you say - but this may be due to my absolute non-understanding what the published values (some are extensively published) mean. Maybe I should get a good book on the subject - but it seems to me there are so many that picking one would be a real lucky draw for me.

 

[glitch39]

RIGHT HERE - quad, too!