[nututubes]

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Originally Posted by TheAudioDude /img/forum/go_quote.gif
I can second this!  The GEC 6080s have been my favorite power tubes for the past six months or so, even better than the Tung Sol 7236s.
 
I had the opportunity to try the GEC 6AS7Gs for a few days and they sound very similar to the GEC 6080s.  The only changes I noticed were a slightly smoother high-end and a slightly larger soundstage.

I'm glad you liked the those GEC 6AS7Gs

 
Many people as you have said describe the sound as smoother, maybe that's what my older ears don't like...too smooth is a straight line on a graph to me. The 7236 puts more info, more ups and downs on the graph so to speak. I can hear more (musically speaking). That doesn't mean the 6080s sound muffled at all.
 
 
I now have both Sylvania and Tung-Sol 7236 tubes. They both sound nice paired with the Treasure 6SN7s and the EML mesh. I listen to mostly classical type accoustic music. Except when I cue the 24/192 DSoTM needle drop that someone was kind enough to provide

 

[mikemalter]

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It has been said here that a stock WA5/LE will equal or out-perform a maxxed-out WA22 tubes and all, making the LE quite a bargain IMO, and giving me a severe case of upgraditis.

 While that may be true, what do we do now that we have all balanced from source to cans?

 

Get music that is 192 kHz 24 bit!
 

 

[grokit]

I'm very happy with my WA22 balanced system, I would get a new TT (and an Ed8 before a TT) before I would get the WA5 but I do like them. The nice thing is they use the same/similar tubes, so I can learn about which ones I like best on the WA22 (only buying one rectifier at a time) and take some with me if I ever upgrade.
 
I could always use my sources single-ended, I would probably change some things around though if I ever migrated back to single ended but who knows if it will ever become a real plan/priority. I would also have to change out my rack and isolation platform, cables, etc.
 
Still I would love to hear some Klipschorns out of the back of a WA5, that would be an awesome system

 

[dannie01]

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It has been said here that a stock WA5/LE will equal or out-perform a maxxed-out WA22 tubes and all, making the LE quite a bargain IMO, and giving me a severe case of upgraditis.

 While that may be true, what do we do now that we have all balanced from source to cans?

 

Get music that is 192 kHz 24 bit!
 

Any links?  I have only some hi-res music purchased from HD Tracks and Linn, that would be great if there is more place to download 192/24, thanks.

 

[davo50]

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Still I would love to hear some Klipschorns out of the back of a WA5, that would be an awesome system

How about some Decware ERR radials?  I have some of those coming next week.  That was my main justification for getting a WA5 - speaker amp also.  I have been trying to find reasonable cost speakers that sound as good as my headphones but that has been a challenge.  The Decwares will be my third pair to try.... high efficiency requirement does narrow the field a good bit.   Maybe I should have just found some vintage Klipschorns???

 

[musicman59]

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How about some Decware ERR radials?  I have some of those coming next week.  That was my main justification for getting a WA5 - speaker amp also.  I have been trying to find reasonable cost speakers that sound as good as my headphones but that has been a challenge.  The Decwares will be my third pair to try.... high efficiency requirement does narrow the field a good bit.   Maybe I should have just found some vintage Klipschorns???

I personally always have found the K-horns a little bit out of balance in their tonality. Back in the late 80s and early 90s I was into Klipsch a lot and even that I had the chance to buy the K-Horns I went with the Cornwall. I find the Cornwall a lot more smooth and balanced among all the Klipsch Heritage models.
Another good brand to try that is design for tube amps is Coincident Speakers.

 

[musicman59]

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Having owned the WA22 for all of a week has me wondering what a WA5/WA5LE would sound like since the 22 is Nirvana.

What I can tell you is that I had the chance to listen to the WA22 and the WA5-LE basically side by side last June at Canjam. Since most of my headphones are balanced and both of my Hi-Fi systems are fully balanced I was thinking in a balanced tube amplifier (WA22). Listening to the WA22 and WA5-LE with my own headphones I was able to clearly determine that the WA5-LE is superior even being Single Ended.
 
Jack and I had a long conversation about a special project to make Balanced WA5-LE which will required 3 units (1 Power Supply and 2 Amplification Units). Basically it has to be a monoblock design with share power supply. The problem was in order to make it right with the parts upgrade, upgraded tubes and customization we were talking about $9,000-$10,000. So after hitting that wall Jack and I talked about the differences between going balanced with the WA22 (fully loaded) or Single Ended with the WA5-LE (fully loaded). Jack's opinion was that the WA5-LE is a better amplifier and my listening concurred with it.
 
2 weeks after Canjam I ordered my WA5-LE and have not look back. 

 

[davo50]

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Another good brand to try that is design for tube amps is Coincident Speakers.

Coincident's were one of the pair that I gave up on.  Maybe just the particular model (Triumph Extreme II) but they were just a tad shouty with vocals.  Very close to what I wanted but not quite.

 

[Icenine2]

NuTubes,
 
If you ever did move to a WA5/5LE you can use the RCA ouputs on your DAC.  You have the Senn HD800's yes?  Pop the old cable back on and you are ready to rock!

 

[musicman59]

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Coincident's were one of the pair that I gave up on.  Maybe just the particular model (Triumph Extreme II) but they were just a tad shouty with vocals.  Very close to what I wanted but not quite.

The ones I have experience with are the Partial Eclipse and Total Eclipse. IMO both were great speakers.

 

[musicman59]

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NuTubes,
 
If you ever did move to a WA5/5LE you can use the RCA ouputs on your DAC.  You have the Senn HD800's yes?  Pop the old cable back on and you are ready to rock!

I would recommend him to get a DHC Complement or AphroditeCu29.com Zeus. Both are OCC copper and really make the HD800 sound incredible. They improve its bass providing more control and depth, make the midrange more liquid and smooth out the highs without taking away the spark.

 

[grokit]

 
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Still I would love to hear some Klipschorns out of the back of a WA5, that would be an awesome system

How about some Decware ERR radials?  I have some of those coming next week.  That was my main justification for getting a WA5 - speaker amp also.  I have been trying to find reasonable cost speakers that sound as good as my headphones but that has been a challenge.  The Decwares will be my third pair to try.... high efficiency requirement does narrow the field a good bit.   Maybe I should have just found some vintage Klipschorns???

 
 
You don't have to go vintage, Klipsch still sells them directly online, they're pretty reasonable really:
http://www.klipsch.com/na-en/products/klipschorn-overview/

 
But they really need to be in the right kind of room, as they are made to use the walls/corners of the listening space. My roommate in college brought them into the living room (where he was sleeping) in our one-bedroom apartment, and I developed a real taste for their sound.
 

 

[Xcalibur255]

I've done some thinking about what upgrade path I would take given the opportunity, and what always stops me from considering the WA5-LE are the hidden costs.  Technically it is only $600 more than a WA22 if you take no part upgrades (which is temptation one I might add), but what tube addict is going to leave the stock tubes in the amp long term?  So you have to figure another $600 for a pair of EML 5U4G, and another $700 for a pair of EML 300B to take the amp up to it's potential.  Even without springing for the expensive parts upgrade package the WA5-LE is now twice as expensive as the WA22, which would inherit all my 6SN7 tubes and the EML 274B from my current WA6.  I would only need to spend a couple hundred finding a good pair of 6AS7G and Tung sol 5998 tubes to be satisfied.  I imagine a decked out WA5 sounds considerably better, but the price goes well into "can't even consider it" territory for me sadly.  For those who can, enjoy a song or two for my sake as well! 

 

[SpudHarris]

Xcalibur, that is amazing.....
 
I have been having the same conflict and have resigned myself to the fact that I will never (unless I win the lottery) be able to afford or find room for the WA5 LE. If money were no object obviously the story would be different. I am saving towards the WA22 and should be able to pull the trigger soon and like you it will inherit all or most of my WA6 tubes and I will only need to shell out for a decent set of 6AS7G and Tung-Sol 5998 tubes.
 
Jack tells me that against the WA22 the WA6 is considered entry level, so with that in mind I have high hopes that I will be happy with the WA22 coz to me the WA6 is sooooo much better than anything I've had before.

 

[mikemalter]

I'm with X and Spud. 
 
Cost for the 5 was prohibitive for me.  With the WA22, I have more money to spend on tube rolling, better headphone and ect.  If I would have gotten the 5, I would never have been happy without all of the hardware upgrades; what to say of tube and other costs. 
 
The WA22 is a really good starting off point.  Already my audio experience with the WA22 is better than it has ever been, and I am totally enjoying all of my music.  Right now the WA22 is just the right balance while I gain more experience in the headphone arena.