[kchew]

Thanks for the kind words everyone!
 
@Silent One: Yeah, that mistake is what happens when it's past midnight and you're trying to proof read. Your enthusiasm for the 596 is definitely justifiable; makes me glad I saved the best for last!
 
@Xcalibur255: Thanks for introducing me to the Brimar 5R4GY, it may sound like I'm knocking on it in my review but it has a great price/performance ratio. And you're right, the fat bottle GZ37 prices can get scary, but if you're patient you might find an affordable cosmetically challenged one that collectors don't want. Mine had no markings and the model number was scratched onto the base, so the price was low.
 
I didn't go for the EML 274B and Sophia Princess because earlier reports indicated that the EML 5U4G was better with the HD800. I wouldn't know if that's true now as I don't have any 274B tubes, but maybe, just maybe, I might end up with one down the road...
 
@Ahzari: No, I don't have the Princess. But I vaguely remember someone in this thread comparing the EML 5U4G and Sophia Princess. And if my memory hasn't failed me, he might've said that the Princess is more detailed and dynamic but the EML has a better soundstage.
 
And oh, you got a 596 already? Congrats, you're going to enjoy it once the adaptor comes in!
 
@Sid-Fi: The Sophia Princess should be faster and more dynamic. But you can consider the GZ34 if soundstaging is not too important for you.
 
@Peshmerga: I've never seen other EML 5U4G tubes, but I'm guessing that these tubes will have deposits sooner or later. I got mine in December 2010 and it has clocked over 800 hours and counting without failing. Other tubes will show age differently; the GZ34s will have dark deposits below the bottom mica and the GZ37 with have a silver getter flashing between the top two micas as well as getter patches over the heater elements.

 

[Ahzari]

Quote:

 
@Ahzari: No, I don't have the Princess. But I vaguely remember someone in this thread comparing the EML 5U4G and Sophia Princess. And if my memory hasn't failed me, he might've said that the Princess is more detailed and dynamic but the EML has a better soundstage.
 
And oh, you got a 596 already? Congrats, you're going to enjoy it once the adaptor comes in!
 

I think it may have been me who compared the EML and the SP .. but its always nice to hear different opinions. Yes, been fortunate enough to get my hands on a 596, I was inspired to start searching for one after I demo'ed Silent One's 596, it was an excellent tube. Personally I would rank it at just a nip above the SP in overall musicality/sound quality; but I prefer either to the EML.
 

 

[cacatalysis]

Nice comparison! kchew.  I agree with you for the rectifiers I have in hands.  However, as clearly stated by you the comparison is with GEC 6AS7G and TS BGRP 6SN7 as the power and dirver tubes.  WA22 is a great amp, because the sound responds to all three types of tubes.  In my experience, the sound changes drastically in response to the overall combination.  For example, I do not feel the GZ34 has a small soundstage when I paired it with 6F8G and TS 7236.  For 596, I also like 6F8G and TS 7236.  EML pairs better with GEC 6AS7G and TS 6SN7 BG PL.  For HD800 and HD650, I like quite different combos.
 
For HD800 three combos are outstanding and the choice depends on recording and music: GEC 6AS7/TS 6SN7 BGRP/EML 5U4G, TS7236/RCA 6F8G/596, TS7236/TS 6F8G/596.  For HD650, TS7236/TS 6F8G/GZ34 or GZ33.  With these tubes, HD650 is very fast, brings great and clear shape to music.  I would sell my HE6 before HD650.   I only have black base GZ34 and use a PS audio link III as the source.
 
By the way, I will sell my WA22, which is both a headphone and pre-amp (customized by Jack with a pre-out).  Almost all the tubes that will give you the combos I mentioned here will also be available to the buyer of WA22.  PM me if you are interested,
 
I am using a Leben now, which handles my dyanmic phones and HE6 (from speaker out passing a hifiman adapter).  WA22 could not drive HE6 properly.
 
      

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Quote:

 
 
Notice the HPL and HPH on the WA5 amp's output switch?  Headphone low impedance,  headphone high impedance.  Now answer my question from the post above yours, since I have answered yours. Bahaha.

thanks.  so i guess wa5 is the way to go.  even i don't need the speaker out, now

I bought the WA5-LE. I love it but if was doing it again I would go with the WA5 because of the K1000 connector. Even if you are not going to use speakers with it provide more flexibility and power for the HE-6.
 
 

 

[musicman59]

I love the sound of this combination in my WA5-LE. EML 300B Mesh with TS BGRP 6F8G and the 596 rectifiers. I probably prefer any of the 6F8G over my 6SN7 (including the TS BGRP) with the 596. The only ones that I probably like better are my Mullard ECC32.

 
I have the EML 5U4G, Mullard GZ37, Brimar 5R4GY, Fivre, tungsol and RCA 5U4G but I prefer the 596 over all.

 

[xinque]

Just punched my wallet in the gut and spent tax return on a pair of Mullard ECC32..  Also eyeing to roll into a Takatsuki 300B..  Hopefully that combination will work out, LCD3 upgrade will have to wait.. 

 

[Silent One]

Thanks for showing your '596' Ahzari. I wasn't aware UEC contracted Joint-Army-Navy (JAN) for the '596.' Your Date code 6302 should be "2nd week of 52 - January, 1963." 

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

I love the sound of this combination in my WA5-LE. EML 300B Mesh with TS BGRP 6F8G and the 596 rectifiers. I probably prefer any of the 6F8G over my 6SN7 (including the TS BGRP) with the 596. The only ones that I probably like better are my Mullard ECC32.

 
I have the EML 5U4G, Mullard GZ37, Brimar 5R4GY, Fivre, tungsol and RCA 5U4G but I prefer the 596 over all.

You must be extremely busy with The Black Beauty 

 if one White board is dedicated to planned Head-Fi meets. The other, Competitions for the WA5-LE.

 

[musicman59]

Quote:

Quote:

I love the sound of this combination in my WA5-LE. EML 300B Mesh with TS BGRP 6F8G and the 596 rectifiers. I probably prefer any of the 6F8G over my 6SN7 (including the TS BGRP) with the 596. The only ones that I probably like better are my Mullard ECC32.

 
I have the EML 5U4G, Mullard GZ37, Brimar 5R4GY, Fivre, tungsol and RCA 5U4G but I prefer the 596 over all.

You must be extremely busy with The Black Beauty 

 if one White board is dedicated to planned Head-Fi meets. The other, Competitions for the WA5-LE.

The picture was taken at our last meet in Jude's office hence the white board. My wife is very understanding about my hobby but I don't think she will give ma a pass having a white board in the house 

.
 
 
 

 

[stevekwc]

Question please. How does Woo define that 6SN7/6F8G tubes are not compatible to the WA6-SE? Do 6GL7/6EM7 tubes (upgrade option1) still produce better sound, when you have options to use other third-party 6SN7/6F8G adapters?
 
Thanks,
Steve

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Question please. How does Woo define that 6SN7/6F8G tubes are not compatible to the WA6-SE? Do 6GL7/6EM7 tubes (upgrade option1) still produce better sound, when you have options to use other third-party 6SN7/6F8G adapters?
 
Thanks,
Steve

Over the past 18 months, I have seen this question asked and answered by other members with Jack Wu. It remains a good question because the replies received and shared in this thread were always vague. The latest reply was shared in March/February stating something like "6SN7 tubes are a bad idea for the WA6SE." But there was no explanation.
 
In a related experience, the only question I asked was if he could sell me a NOS pair of 6SN7 tubes for my own 6 Special Edition. And he did - my very first pair. Informing I'll need adapters, which I had previously mentioned having. 
 
But here's my question when reading other's replies from Jack: where is the follow-up? Receive a reply that's a bit foggy? Ask for clarification.

 
Others will have to address your "Option 1" question, as I have been satisfied with the 6SN7 series... 

 

[Ahzari]

Quote:

Question please. How does Woo define that 6SN7/6F8G tubes are not compatible to the WA6-SE? Do 6GL7/6EM7 tubes (upgrade option1) still produce better sound, when you have options to use other third-party 6SN7/6F8G adapters?
 
Thanks,
Steve

The way I understood it, I e-mailed Woo Audio on 2 occasions about this and as Silent One pointed out it the responses are typically vague. The way i understand it is the WA6SE distributes too much current to the 6SN7s which can cause them to burn out/get damaged; while it won't harm the amp it could harm those expensive tubes. This is why Glenns adaptors would have resistors so only half the current was reaching the 6SN7s - possibly a reason why they run cooler than 6EW7s in the SE. No idea if I am technically correct about anything stated, just summing up a few responses that I had received from Jack and Glenn.

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

The way I understood it, I e-mailed Woo Audio on 2 occasions about this and as Silent One pointed out it the responses are typically vague. The way i understand it is the WA6SE distributes too much current to the 6SN7s which can cause them to burn out/get damaged; while it won't harm the amp it could harm those expensive tubes. This is why Glenns adaptors would have resistors so only half the current was reaching the 6SN7s - possibly a reason why they run cooler than 6EW7s in the SE. No idea if I am technically correct about anything stated, just summing up a few responses that I had received from Jack and Glenn.

All I know is I had adapters done right - assembled by MOT 2359glenn - and the operating temp of my 6 Special Edition was as cool as the other side of the pillow in overnight sessions. What should happen (and I may have to take the initiative) is one of two things: Jack place an asterisk next to the WA6-SE entry on the Tube Compatibility Chart with a concise explanation or requirement below; Take the opportunity to address the WAAOU thread with same concise explanation or requirement. 

 Because some of us are going to go there anyway... might as well be successful.

 

[stevekwc]

Thank you Ahzari and Silence One. Below is an earlier reply by takezo. The question is still there. If 6SN7/6F8G adapters with proper resistors can work well, why those tubes are incompatible in Woo's opinion?
 
Quote:

the 6se is very different from the wa6 and the driver dc cathode bias work at differing
parameters. the high-gain 6se puts out more current than the 6sn7 family of tubes can
handle, causing distortion in sound output and early death for the tube. these dc bias
cathode have a resistor placed between it and the ground, replacing the need for extra
stages (a separate negative dc voltage source for the grid stage) changing the value of
the resistor allows the use of the 6sn7. but doing this is permanent and will limit tube
rolling significantly. thus the resistor is added in series in the adaptor. since this is the
driver cathode bias it affects the signal amplification rather than the power amplification
stage. the 6se has a large cap bypassed with the resistor to short the ac signal passing
through to the ground. without this cap the the gain will be slightly reduced and noise
is introduced. for example, using the lcd2 one would go from 10 o'clock to 10:30. not very
significant. of course this will change depending on your cd/dac vrms. but for filtering the
ac signal, the large cap is essential. i've tried both using a small cap value bypassing the
resistor and without, within the adapter. while it does affect the gain, the SQ
doesn't seem to be affected at all in my use. the large cap before the adapter must be
filtering out all significant ac signal, imo.
 
btw, the large cap bypassing the cathode bias resistor in the 6se stock is very poor.
replacing this cap with higher quality capacitor really helps with headroom, separation of
notes and lowering noise floor, imo.

 

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Thank you Ahzari and Silence One. Below is an earlier reply by takezo. The question is still there. If 6SN7/6F8G adapters with proper resistors can work well, why those tubes are incompatible in Woo's opinion?
 


 

Yes, we read takezo's reply with interest. But, if one were to s-l-o-w-l-y turn around inside their listening room, they'll discover the shadow being cast is not from a big piece of furniture (Got peanuts?). There isn't anything third-parties are doing with adapters for the 6 Special Edition that they cannot elegantly make themselves. Addressing the aforementioned reply's concern specifically. 
 
Perhaps, the reason is one of business not technical for staying away. But we'll learn soon 

 'cause you were just fixin' to submit an inquiry to Jack on the matter, yes? My Woo is down-the-street! If no one is interested in following up on the matter 

, I'll submit after a midnight pint of Haagen-Dazs.