[cacatalysis]

Have you found a good source for 596?  I bought three from Golfnutz.  I am still looking for a Sophia Princess 274B mesh for my collection.  If anybody is interested in, I am offering a Mullard GZ34 plus a 596 for the swap. 

 

[cacatalysis]

I only use the 5Y3 with 5998.  It has been more than 10 hours, nothing bad has happened yet. 

 

[Xcalibur255]

That would be the easier burden for a 5Y3, since the 5998 will be drawing less current.  I'm not suggesting the tube isn't safe, as it is on the approved tube list, it just gives some insight into how conservatively the output tubes are run in the amp.  If you are using 5998 or expensive GECs that can be considered a good thing since they'll last much longer.

 

[cacatalysis]

You should give it a try, but not with the TS BGRP.  I do not know why, but the TS 6F8G is much better vs TS BGRP when paired with 5998 and 5Y3.  I also have RCA 5Y3, have not tried it yet.
 
Quote:

A 5Y3 in my WA22? Of course I have. I was outed by Xcalibur255 using a 5Y3 in my WA22 in May of last year! The eagle eye!

Oh the shame, NOT!
 
http://www.head-fi.org/t/428570/woo-audio-amp-owner-unite/10185#post_7489417
 

 

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Have you found a good source for 596?  I bought three from Golfnutz.  I am still looking for a Sophia Princess 274B mesh for my collection.  If anybody is interested in, I am offering a Mullard GZ34 plus a 596 for the swap. 

I had intended to buy 6 additional USAF-596's when I fell a bit under the weather at the time. And completely forgot about them the days following. Now, I'm counting on buying one from you as a backup. 

 
Still searching high and low to no avail...
 

 

[cacatalysis]

You mean GEC 6AS7G?  They are on my list to try with 5Y3.  Do you mean it is not safe to try 5Y3 with 7236 or other 6AS7s
Quote:

That would be the easier burden for a 5Y3, since the 5998 will be drawing less current.  I'm not suggesting the tube isn't safe, as it is on the approved tube list, it just gives some insight into how conservatively the output tubes are run in the amp.  If you are using 5998 or expensive GECs that can be considered a good thing since they'll last much longer.

 

 

[cacatalysis]

No problem.  Do you use 596 also in your new amp from Glenn, how many?
Quote:

I had intended to buy 6 additional USAF-596's when I fell a bit under the weather at the time. And completely forgot about them the days following. Now, I'm counting on buying one from you as a backup. 

 
Still searching high and low to no avail...
 

 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

yeah my DLIII has balanced.
 
so if i was to have a balanced source for the WA22, would i need balanced headphones?
 
or how much better is WA22 from WA6-SE with single ended?
 
i would have upgraded tubes, keeping my sophia 274b and sylvania 7236 for the WA22 and only buying 6sn7.

 

[Xcalibur255]

Quote:

You mean GEC 6AS7G?  They are on my list to try with 5Y3.  Do you mean it is not safe to try 5Y3 with 7236 or other 6AS7s


 

I'm sure it's okay with all of them or it wouldn't be on the list, but a 5Y3 will be asked to deliver more current for a 6AS7 than it will for a 5998 or 7236 which will affect its lifespan.
 

 

[cacatalysis]

I do have a few of them, both RCA and Sylvania.  The sylvania 5Y3 is better than 596 in the combo I mentioned, gives a very good base while tame the brightness without lossing the detail or soundstage.  596 could be a little bit aggressive in comparison. 

 

[cacatalysis]

According to Glenn, you may not need balanced headphones to get the full benefit from WA22 as long as you have balanced source.  I already have balanced headphones before I saw Glenn's comments.  I have never heard a WA6-SE.  For HD800, it is very hard to beat WA22 with right combos of tubes, it does not have to be expensive combos. 
Quote:

yeah my DLIII has balanced.
 
so if i was to have a balanced source for the WA22, would i need balanced headphones?
 
or how much better is WA22 from WA6-SE with single ended?
 
i would have upgraded tubes, keeping my sophia 274b and sylvania 7236 for the WA22 and only buying 6sn7.

 

 

[grokit]

 
Quote:

That's the main issue with setting up the WA22, a good transparent AND balanced source is a MUST. Otherwise, it's improvements over the WA2/WA6SE can be muted.

 
Quote:

Anyways, it sounded much greater than the WA6SE, but I'm not even thinking about the WA22, way out of my budget for my age. So i'm sticking to either WA6SE or WA2. What's the best option if I will end up with both HE500/HD800. For now I have the schiit lyr and some audioquest interconnects. Nothing cheap per say besides my current amp, hence the need to upgrade.

 

I would agree that the WA22's advantages can be subdued if you're not using a balanced source. But I would say that it's still a better match for these two headphones together than either the 6SE or WA2 would be individually.
 
Also, in my experience certain headphones respond much better to balanced cabling than others. As a general rule of thumb though, go for headphones that have modular cable connections (duh!).

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

No problem.  Do you use 596 also in your new amp from Glenn, how many?

My amp uses a single rectifier - mainly the GE 3DG4 but I rotate the '596' in now and then. I see a higher-end Woo in my future, but meanwhile I need a backup. I love the very distinct sound glass makes when it breaks, but only when done intentionally. 
 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

hmmm...wow now i really want a WA22....
 
and what needs to be balanced? just my DAC output?
 
i would have
 
Bitperfect from J River Media Center >>> Musical Fidelity V-Link (USB/SPDIF Converter) >>> COAX/OPTICAL  >>>> DAC >>> Balanced out to WA22? is that it?
 
 
and would you guys all say a WA22 is for sure better than a WA6SE then?
 
 
i could get a balanced Cable for my LCD-2 / HD 800 but would have to stay single ended on the T1/ D7000 /RS1.

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

I do have a few of them, both RCA and Sylvania.  The sylvania 5Y3 is better than 596 in the combo I mentioned, gives a very good base while tame the brightness without lossing the detail or soundstage.  596 could be a little bit aggressive in comparison. 

A little bit aggressive? 

 I couldn't relax the first time I paired the '596' with TS-BGRP's inside the Woo. The rectifier walked ALL over the drive tubes... "No no no, you're suppose to dance together!" I'd bark!!! It took a couple of cable swaps to prevent further assaults. They eventually went on to become quite the pairing!