[JLoud]

I found the Tak 274b to combine the best of the 596 and EML 5U4G mesh. In other words very fast and distinct imaging of the 596, but with the large soundstage of the EML mesh. In fact I would say the image is more 3D if you will. Because of clear imaging you can pick out placements of instruments better. But where the 596 can be somewhat flat in it's staging and the EML is bigger stage wise, the Tak combines these to give a very large but clearly defined sense of space. For me at least.
Chain is Mac mini<flac<Yggdrasil<WA33<Abyss TC

 

[Roasty]

I've not tried the 596, but have the EML 5u4g mesh and tak274b. On the wa33, so far it seems the KR274b sound the most fun (a bit brighter, punchy, engaging), the tak274b sounds the smoothest (pleasant top end, thick mids), and the EML 5u4g is somewhere in the middle of the others.

Tak274b I agree with JLoud is the most 3d holographic feel and best soundstage of the above.

 

[moemoney]

Well I’m blown away by the way the 300Bs sound right now, and having the 596s already I can’t even imagine how it’s going to sound looking forward to getting my 274B hopefully Very soon.

 

[moemoney]

Also in regards to the tak309B and the tak274 what would be the the best drive tubes to pursue, right now I’m using Sophia Electric Blue Glass 6sn7, and to my ears they don’t sound too bad, I like them better than the Hytron 6sn7s but I have to admit I haven’t heard them all and y’all guys have heard way more than me.

 

[JLoud]

I like the 6C45Pi Electro Harmonix Gold-pin. Woo has them on their site. Although you may find them cheaper elsewhere.

 

[Stereolab42]

I would again suggest the PSVANE WE300B Plus tubes, available on eBay. I must have 1500 hours on mine so far and they sound great with absolutely zero trouble at all. They are definitely more transparent than my EML 300B mesh tubes.

 

[VandyMan]

I've been running Shuguang WE300B Plus tubes in my WA5 for about a 18 months now without any issues. They are significantly better than the stock tubes, but I don't have anything else to compare them to. Next year, I'd like to give either the new Wester Electrics or Taks a try.

 

[davehg]

I think I’m going to pursue the EML XLS since my amp does double duty powering Devore Nines and I could use the extra juice the XLS seems to provide over the mesh. Either that or the Sophia Princess Electric 300b. I’d love to try the Taks but I’d almost rather spend that extra towards upgrading other aspects of my system - like a more powerful integrated amp for the speakers. The Woo does a fine job but I’m always curious about what more power can do. Eyeing the Leben CS600x, which is supposed to have a stellar headphone capability as a bonus, which is the inverse of the WA5, which is a wonderful headphone amp that happens to have a stellar speaker capability.

 

[davehg]

well, I just ordered a Leben CS600x integrated amp to better drive my Devore loudspeakers. On the Leben thread, lots of love for both the 300 and 600 as a headphone amp, so looking forward to seeing how the Leben stacks up.

 

[Pomps]

Hello guys,

just received my wa22. Fantastic SQ, but alas... hum.... a lot of it... is this normal? Faulty device/bad disign or something else. I would appriciate your answers?

 

[reeltime]

What's your source? Sounds like a grounding issue.

 

[Pomps]

No, it hums with or without source. I tried also different wall sockets etc, powering off wi-fi, other electronic devices...

 

[Roasty]

I had a slight hum with my wa22 on initial setup but it went away after a while. Maybe running in the unit and tubes will help. What headphones are you using? At the time, the hum was much more apparent with my Utopia than the Empyrean.

 

[JLoud]

Is it a hum through headphones or the unit itself? I have slight hum from my WA33 unit. Nothing through headphones. I changed my rectifier and it lessened. Thinking of getting a better power conditioner. Not sure if that will help.

 

[Dredge Collaborative]

Hello guys,

just received my wa22. Fantastic SQ, but alas... hum.... a lot of it... is this normal? Faulty device/bad disign or something else. I would appriciate your answers?

I had the exact same issue with my WA22. I live in a older building without 3-prong sockets so if you're in the similar situation, grounding might be the issue. I was able to try the unit at a buddy's place with 3-prong sockets and the hum went away. There is a chance that I could be dealing with another type of interference but don't know for sure.

I deal with this by using my Diana V2 headphones where the noise is barely audible. With my HD820, the humming and intermittent high pitch blips make the listening experience unbearable unless I'm really drunk.

Hope this helps.