[bpiotrow13]

Better is subjective, but in dual mono, L and R channels are completely independent amplification pathways so you get fewer issues. Many issues are inaudible, but some are audible, including crosstalk. Also, independent channels have their own “pools” to draw power from and aren’t bogged down when they are required to “share” from a common pool.

Thanks, that (as i understand it) translates into more airy and separated sound. This is how i see it.

 

[bpiotrow13]

I just could not resist, another dual mono advantage is more tubes

 

[mordy]

Did you say more tubes?

 

[bpiotrow13]

Did you say more tubes?

Ha, ha. Looks like a military gear is it a headphone amplifier?

 

[mordy]

Ha, ha. Looks like a military gear is it a headphone amplifier?

I think it is a speaker amplifier dual mono. Each side has 14x6AS7 and 5x6SN7 tubes.
Here you can read more about the Atma Sphere MA-1:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/atmasphere/silver.html

But what you really want is the MA-3 - 500W/channel; the two channels have combined 108 tubes!

 

[musicman59]

I think it is a speaker amplifier dual mono. Each side has 14x6AS7 and 5x6SN7 tubes.
Here you can read more about the Atma Sphere MA-1:
http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/atmasphere/silver.html

But what you really want is the MA-3 - 500W/channel; the two channels have combined 108 tubes!

How many lambs can you roast with their heat dissipation?

 

[mordy]

How many lambs can you roast with their heat dissipation?

Not sure - and I am not sure if you will notice if a tube isn't working lol.

It's like looking at Ferrari and Lamborghini cars - interesting, but just for the enjoyment of reading about it.

But you don't need super expensive stuff to enjoy listening - I remember being fascinated by a crystal radio as a child....

 

[bpiotrow13]

Not sure - and I am not sure if you will notice if a tube isn't working lol.

It's like looking at Ferrari and Lamborghini cars - interesting, but just for the enjoyment of reading about it.

But you don't need super expensive stuff to enjoy listening - I remember being fascinated by a crystal radio as a child....

I am quite sure the joy from listening to such simple setup was comparable to that connected with listening to top gear

 

[musicman59]

Not sure - and I am not sure if you will notice if a tube isn't working lol.

It's like looking at Ferrari and Lamborghini cars - interesting, but just for the enjoyment of reading about it.

But you don't need super expensive stuff to enjoy listening - I remember being fascinated by a crystal radio as a child....

LOL… you are right!

 

[Chianti]

tubes as stock because the amp sounds well within its intended sonic flavor. These makers rely on word of mouth advertising, so they can't afford missteps by putting out a

If the Wa33 would use the tube complement of the 3ES I would have bought one long ago.
I even inquired about a custom amp (basically a 3ES for regular headphones) but to no avail.

Now that the CRBN is on order the 3ES became more interesting again, but only if I feel my Octave V16 + Mjölnir SRD-7 lacking.

How is he 3ES as preamp?

My path: I recently bought both WA33 JPS Elite and 3ES Elite (arriving this Friday). There is no headphone I know for the WA33 requiring more power than what the 2A3s can deliver. That likely being one of the potential reasons for amp designers to step up 2x power and go 300B instead? On the 3ES, it looks like phones such as the SR-X 9000 (mine hopefully arriving end of this month) provide enough of a reason why more power is needed, excluding the 2A3s from consideration.

On the WA33, since I have several less power hungry headphones (compared to e.g. Susvara, which I am listening to right now from said amp) I can appreciate the decision to calibrate the power scale to be more inclusive towards the lower end, and retain some measure of sophistication vs. the emotional drive of 300Bs. My WA33 JPS Elite gets reasonably close to the ethos of my Ayon Spheris III (a $30k tube preamp). The name of the game, esp. with the Elite edition, is not about tube coloration, more about using the tubes to lay out a differentiated sound field (stage is the wrong word, since it includes layering of instruments as well - something solid state will not provide). FYI - just went back to KR HP 274 rectifier (replacing the Takatsuki 274b) which seems to offer greater synergy with my 2A3 KR HPs.

 

[exchez]

My path: I recently bought both WA33 JPS Elite and 3ES Elite (arriving this Friday). There is no headphone I know for the WA33 requiring more power than what the 2A3s can deliver. That likely being one of the potential reasons for amp designers to step up 2x power and go 300B instead? On the 3ES, it looks like phones such as the SR-X 9000 (mine hopefully arriving end of this month) provide enough of a reason why more power is needed, excluding the 2A3s from consideration.

On the WA33, since I have several less power hungry headphones (compared to e.g. Susvara, which I am listening to right now from said amp) I can appreciate the decision to calibrate the power scale to be more inclusive towards the lower end, and retain some measure of sophistication vs. the emotional drive of 300Bs. My WA33 JPS Elite gets reasonably close to the ethos of my Ayon Spheris III (a $30k tube preamp). The name of the game, esp. with the Elite edition, is not about tube coloration, more about using the tubes to lay out a differentiated sound field (stage is the wrong word, since it includes layering of instruments as well - something solid state will not provide). FYI - just went back to KR HP 274 rectifier (replacing the Takatsuki 274b) which seems to offer greater synergy with my 2A3 KR HPs.

I will have to mull on "a differentiated sound field." I only have a WA2, but I feel like it expresses so much more than other tube amps I've owned. Hard to put words to. But perhaps the WA33 and other similar amps can express aspects of the recording that the WA2 simply can't and we're thinking about two different qualities.

 

[bpiotrow13]

I only have a WA2, but I feel like it expresses so much more than other tube amps I've owned. Hard to put words to.

This is interesting. I also have wa2 and find it more to my liking than wa22 i used to have. By wa2 expressing more than other amps You mean dynamics?
And i strongly agree that tubes amps are not only about coloration but also about layering.

 

[mordy]

This is interesting. I also have wa2 and find it more to my liking than wa22 i used to have. By wa2 expressing more than other amps You mean dynamics?
And i strongly agree that tubes amps are not only about coloration but also about layering.

How do you define layering?

 

[bpiotrow13]

How do you define layering?

Instrument separation, kind of 3d presentation, where instruments are separated and You are able to locate them. I would say layering is the opposite of flat sound.

 

[Bonddam]

Question sound and gain difference between WA5 LE 1St and 2nd gen?

Had 2nd gen with Mundorf caps sold it then jumped on Woo’s refurb deal on a 1st gen. All I now by pictures there’s no gain or power knobs on 1st gen. Wondering if it will power the 1266 TC with enough volume? The 1st gen I bought has two 1/4 inch jacks one for low and other for high impedance. Any help, I didn’t buy this solely for 1266. I needed a mid range with some bass bloom amp.

Thanks

Bill