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Jul 12, 2020 at 4:14 PM Post #40,952 of 42,370
I would really like to hear a comparison as well. I currently have a WA5le second edition. With EML rectifier and power tubes.
 
Jul 12, 2020 at 4:25 PM Post #40,954 of 42,370
I had that combo for about a year. Sounded really nice. Tubes helped to open the sound stage of the Utopia a bit. I'm partial to tubes so take my opinion with that in mind. On low power the WA5 had nice control and speed.
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 4:34 PM Post #40,957 of 42,370
I've had a WA6SE for about two years now, and I just recently acquired a WA2 to get a better idea of what an OTL amp sounds like. I like the sound of both (they both have upgraded tubes). My question is this. I've had my eye on the WA5-LE. Realistically, with the amps I have now, does the WA5LE sound more like an upgraded WA6SE or WA2 or is it its own thing? Do the tonal options I have now get a good chunk of the way there? I am not going to lie, the prospect of getting top notch tubes for the WA5LE seems kind of daunting. I can't say I am unhappy with what I have now, but having two tube amps does seem kind of silly (but planars and WA2 are a no go).

Thanks for any input,
jc
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 5:56 PM Post #40,958 of 42,370
MrBasseyPants said:
I've had a WA6SE for about two years now, and I just recently acquired a WA2 to get a better idea of what an OTL amp sounds like. I like the sound of both (they both have upgraded tubes). My question is this. I've had my eye on the WA5-LE. Realistically, with the amps I have now, does the WA5LE sound more like an upgraded WA6SE or WA2 or is it its own thing? Do the tonal options I have now get a good chunk of the way there? I am not going to lie, the prospect of getting top notch tubes for the WA5LE seems kind of daunting. I can't say I am unhappy with what I have now, but having two tube amps does seem kind of silly (but planars and WA2 are a no go).

Thanks for any input,
jc
Click to expand...

I have the WA6 and I'm considering the WA2 also.
Out of curiosity, if you had to let one of them go, which one would you keep?
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 6:01 PM Post #40,959 of 42,370
vlach said:
I have the WA6 and I'm considering the WA2 also.
Out of curiosity, if you had to let one of them go, which one would you keep?
Click to expand...
I have the WA6SE which is different than the WA6.

I don't know. The WA2 has a neat sound, but the WA6SE is cleaner and can drive a more varied set of headphones. I think that some careful EQing could replace the WA2 completely....or at least to the point where I wouldn't miss it.

Then again, if I had the THX AAA 789 first....I am not sure I would have found any of these amp to be worth the money. However, since it wasn't bought first...I appreciate the differences of a tube amp now... or at least that is what I am telling myself.

I am not an expert in sonic analysis...just looking to get the best of what sounds good to me. Right now, the 789, WA2, and WA6SE are all great. I'd probably just keep the WA6SE if I could only keep one though.
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 7:37 PM Post #40,960 of 42,370
I had the WA6se with EML rectifier and upgraded power/driver tubes for about a year before upgrading to the WA5le. Also with EML tube upgrades. The WA5le can drive anything I have thrown at it. Abyss 1266TC, LCD4, HE6se, and the HEDDphone. As well as many easier to drive headphones. If you like the WA6se, the WA5le is everything taken up a few notches. As to whether it is worth the cost, all relative I guess. If you aren't trying to drive very demanding headphones, I think I would stick with the WA6se and spend the money on other headphones or gear. If you aren't worried about the cost, it is definitely an upgrade.
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 8:18 PM Post #40,961 of 42,370
JLoud said:
I had the WA6se with EML rectifier and upgraded power/driver tubes for about a year before upgrading to the WA5le. Also with EML tube upgrades. The WA5le can drive anything I have thrown at it. Abyss 1266TC, LCD4, HE6se, and the HEDDphone. As well as many easier to drive headphones. If you like the WA6se, the WA5le is everything taken up a few notches. As to whether it is worth the cost, all relative I guess. If you aren't trying to drive very demanding headphones, I think I would stick with the WA6se and spend the money on other headphones or gear. If you aren't worried about the cost, it is definitely an upgrade.
Click to expand...
Thanks! Is the premium parts upgrade something you did as well?

jc
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 8:48 PM Post #40,962 of 42,370
B7698D02-F77E-4972-9354-8F63FD28458D.jpeg
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 8:52 PM Post #40,963 of 42,370
I did not go with premium parts option. In hindsight I wish I had. Always wondering how much of a difference it would make.
MrBasseyPants said:
Thanks! Is the premium parts upgrade something you did as well?

jc
Click to expand...
 
Jul 14, 2020 at 9:19 PM Post #40,965 of 42,370
I prefer tubes, so I guess the WA5le is my favorite. But for things like EDM on my Abyss 1266TC, the speed and impact the GSX imparts can't be beat. If that was my primary genre, I would stick with the GSX. The WA5 imparts an expanded sound stage and warm mids. Something I really like. The GSX is very neutral. So if your headphones are a little bright, you will really notice it.
 
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