WOO Audio 3+ experience

[hodgjy]

That tube is supposedly just a rebranded Tung-Sol 5998.  I use the 5998 in my Woo 3 and love it.  It's compatible.  Don't spend the going $200-$400 for the WE 421A tube when you can get a Tung-Sol for about $40-$50.
 
Quote:

Just curious, has anyone tried the Western Electric 421A as a power tube in the WA3+?  Is this tube compatible with the WA3+?
 
Thanks

 

[hodgjy]

Well Bullocks.....I just got a matched pair of EH 6922 for my WA3, and the hum terribly.  Anyone else have this problem?  The seller agreed to refund me, so no big deal.  Just annoying that they hummed so badly.  They were nice sounding tubes, hum notwithstanding.

 

[nbourbaki]

I've got three sets of drivers and none of them hum.  I guess I've been lucky with the driver tubes.  If you search for WA3 you'll find an old thread where hum was discussed. My luck with driver tubes hasn't translated to power tubes.  I purchased a cryo treated 1962 Tungsol 7236. When I tried to insert the tube the center part of the base crumbled.  I was able seat the tube without the center part of the base and it sounds great, but it bothers me that part of the base crumbled.

 

[hodgjy]

I did a brief search here and found a few other posts that said the EH tubes can hum in certain amps, including the Woos and others.  No big deal.  They're already boxed up and in the mail to the seller for a refund.  My regular JAN Sylvania 6DJ8s are back in the drivers seat for now.  I like them--clean, no hum.  I just wanted to experiment with new tubes.  Very short experiment.  Will stick to NOS from now on.
 
I'm just convinced that certain tubes just don't work in certain amps.  You can't predict it.  Such is the nature of tubes.

 

[nbourbaki]

Quote:

I did a brief search here and found a few other posts that said the EH tubes can hum in certain amps, including the Woos and others.  No big deal.  They're already boxed up and in the mail to the seller for a refund.  My regular JAN Sylvania 6DJ8s are back in the drivers seat for now.  I like them--clean, no hum.  I just wanted to experiment with new tubes.  Very short experiment.  Will stick to NOS from now on.
 
I'm just convinced that certain tubes just don't work in certain amps.  You can't predict it.  Such is the nature of tubes.

Yes tube rolling can get addictive and expensive.  My favorites so far are the JAN Sylvania 6DJ8s driven by the 5998.  I still have to break in the 7236, but that's half the fun.  I hear the JAN Sylvania 6922 are nice also.  Lot's of great choices for the WA3

 

[hodgjy]

I love the Jan Sylvania 6DJ8 and 5998 combo as well.  However, I might actually like the RCA 6AS7G a little more than the 5998.  Not sure yet.........

 

[StanT]

 
Quote:

Just curious, has anyone tried the Western Electric 421A as a power tube in the WA3+?  Is this tube compatible with the WA3+?
 
Thanks

Yes it works, I was less than impressed with it. It sounds good; but no better than the Tung Sol's which are 1/4 the price.
Mine is slightly microphonic, which doesn't work well with a large dog.

 
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No doubt that the Tungsol 7236 is really good if paired correctly. Although I did not try the Miniwatt, I may imagine from what I have heard that those are a good match. If you are then saying that the Mazda (??) adds some sort of clarity then you should give the 5998 definitely a chance to pair with the Mazda as well - for I predict that it will bring some pleasing touch compared to the 7236 without compromising too much on precision.
 
You might as well consult tubeworld.com, a lot of interesting info there. Just search for your type of tube there. And Brendan Biever is a knowledgeable nice guy as well.
 
Happy listening with your WA3+ ! Amazing how this one may be tuned with different tubes and how good it may sound. I really wonder if a WA6 - even in its most sophisticated version - might significantly be "better".

 
Mazda was a French subsidiary of Phillips/Amperex when there was a bit of nationalism in tube manufacture/purchase. The construction of tubes look identical to Amperex SQ of the same vintage, though the metal used looks different. Both tubeworld and the Brent Jesse site describe Mazda tubes. The tubes that I have are labeled for the French telephone company RT.
 
Our difference of opinion on the 7236 probably stems from our source. I'm using a Jolida JD100, with a pair of 5751 tubes in the output. I'm probably getting enough "tube" sound from the CD player. I still intend to try a Tung Sol 5998, I just haven't found one at a semi-reasonable price, yet.
 
My WA3+ is presently on it's way back to Jack to add a second input and A/B switch. Seems that it only took a short time of listening to the WA3+ to make my computer audio sound horrible.
 

 

 

[hodgjy]

The Tung-Sol and WE 421 are the exact same tube.  Your result is not surprising to me.  I've had three 5998s in my possession, and only one was acceptable in my WA3.  Too were extremely microphonic to the point where footsteps made them go "ping".  I sent the two bad ones back to the seller.
 
On the other hand, I absolutely love the cheap RCA 6AS7G.  Wonderful tube.
 
Quote:

Yes it works, I was less than impressed with it. It sounds good; but no better than the Tung Sol's which are 1/4 the price.
Mine is slightly microphonic, which doesn't work well with a large dog.

 

 

 

[Skylab]

Mazda sold sold great tubes under the "ADZAM" brand name.  It was actually quite some time before I realized that Adzam is Mazda spelled backwards

 

[realmassy]

Just placed an order for a Woo 3, and now I'm thinking about tubes: would you recommend the power tubes upgrade (Sylvania 7236) or something else?
I will drive a pair of HD650, and I like a smooooooth, wet and warm sound. Actually the smoother the better
Any recommendation?

 

[BIG POPPA]

Just get a Tung Sol 5998 or variant. That would get you started. Define your sound. That is the first step. I have the Sylvania 7236, Mullard CV2984, Bendix 6080WB, RCA 6AS7's and a few more. PM me if you have any more questions.
 
Quote:

Just placed an order for a Woo 3, and now I'm thinking about tubes: would you recommend the power tubes upgrade (Sylvania 7236) or something else?
I will drive a pair of HD650, and I like a smooooooth, wet and warm sound. Actually the smoother the better
Any recommendation?

 

[nbourbaki]

 
Quote:

Just get a Tung Sol 5998 or variant. That would get you started. Define your sound. That is the first step. I have the Sylvania 7236, Mullard CV2984, Bendix 6080WB, RCA 6AS7's and a few more. PM me if you have any more questions.
 


 

 
+1.  I have a number of power tubes for the 3+ and the Tung Sol is my favorite.  Not easy to find,  but well worth it.
 

 

[Thaddy]

Here are my favorites for my WA2.  Honestly, don't waste your time with the Sylvania 7236.  There are much better tubes out there.  I've found the Sylvania 7236 to sound solid state to a fault, even sibilant on some recordings that are very enjoyable with other tubes.
 
Tung Sol 5998
RCA Black Plate 6AS7G
Chatham 6AS7G
Tung Sol 7236
Tung Sol/Chatham 6080
 
IMO, the RCA 6AS7G is the best if you're on a budget.  They're cheap and easy to find, however if you can spend a bit more and have the patience, the Tung Sol 5998 and Chatham 6AS7G are better all-around tubes with more low end punch and resolution in the low end.

 

[realmassy]

OK, got it!
No need to get the Sylvania 7236, I'll probably go for the stock tubes, burn-in the amp, and then start the tube rolling with the Tung Sol 5998.
One more question, what about the teflon sockets upgrade? Any benefit?

 

[realmassy]

 
 
Quote:

Thank you for ordering from WOO AUDIO, INC.

A package will ship to you on 09/21/2010 via U.S. Postal Service to the
following address:
.....

 
Yeah! just got this email, the Woo3 will be with me in a week!