[CAJames]

And the same tubes were quiet in pairs so go figure.

 

[Badas]

And the same tubes were quiet in pairs so go figure.

Something going on in the circuit. A synergy issue.
I've had that from time to time.
My Meze 99's don't go well with the WA22. However are fine with the SPL Phonitor xe. Synergy.

 

[UntilThen]

some beautiful pics! WA22 is one of my favorite amps. Love its size and performance.

HeadFiers progressed too quickly. If it’s not the greatest and the latest then they are not having their best.

I love the WA22 as well despite having 3 other tube amps. Tonality wise, it’s one of the sweetest sound with He1000se.

 

[9bphillips]

Just ordered the ecc35/6sl7gt and we421a to go with my eml5u4g for my WA22! Super excited. Now all stock tubes are replaced. Now looking forward to the wkend when both pairs should be in!

 

[UntilThen]

Just ordered the ecc35/6sl7gt and we421a to go with my eml5u4g for my WA22! Super excited. Now all stock tubes are replaced. Now looking forward to the wkend when both pairs should be in!

Good tubes are priceless. In a few years time you won’t even find NOS ones even if you are willing to pay.

I would have preferred the GEC U52 in place of the EML 5u4g but hey there are no ugly ducklings here. Just enjoy the music and if the music is still not good enough after those tubes go it, then you need new ears.

 

[9bphillips]

Good tubes are priceless. In a few years time you won’t even find NOS ones even if you are willing to pay.

I would have preferred the GEC U52 in place of the EML 5u4g but hey there are no ugly ducklings here. Just enjoy the music and if the music is still not good enough after those tubes go it, then you need new ears.

I am thinking of getting a kraudio5u4g as another option too. The kr5u4g was the rectifier I wanted but it just didn't work out at the time so I went with the eml5u4g. I am just ready to hear the difference with all the stock tubes out. The ecc35 6sl7gt kinda threw me for a loop because I fidnt see it in the wa22 compatibility chart but I have been told by different ppl on here that it will work.

 

[Roasty]

The ecc35 6sl7gt kinda threw me for a loop because I fidnt see it in the wa22 compatibility chart

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DdsZyTx3CJv9_cG9kVdCGZap-AldiTsvuY4Ms1K_p3k/pubhtml

it is there. 2nd from the bottom, just above vt231 on the WA22 driver section.

 

[bpcans]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DdsZyTx3CJv9_cG9kVdCGZap-AldiTsvuY4Ms1K_p3k/pubhtml

it is there. 2nd from the bottom, just above vt231 on the WA22 driver section.

@Roasty, what is the best tube combination to use with a Takatsuki 274b in a WA22?

 

[UntilThen]

I am thinking of getting a kraudio5u4g as another option too. The kr5u4g was the rectifier I wanted but it just didn't work out at the time so I went with the eml5u4g. I am just ready to hear the difference with all the stock tubes out. The ecc35 6sl7gt kinda threw me for a loop because I fidnt see it in the wa22 compatibility chart but I have been told by different ppl on here that it will work.

Where rectifiers are concerned, the 596 from Woo Audio is another option. It sounds great compared to other nos rectifiers I have tried in WA22.

Another warmer rectifier option is Cossor 53ku.

Ecc35 and ECC33 will work very well in WA22. The former has more gain while the ECC33 is the 6sn7 equivalent.

As for power tubes, even though I’ve tried GEC 6as7g, I still prefer the 5998 / 421a variety because it’s more dynamic and lively.

One other power tube that is getting harder and harder to find is the Cetron 7236. A pair of Bendix 6080wb will satisfy you with the nice bass weight. I have these tubes and variety is the spice of life.

 

[ColSaulTigh]

I am thinking of getting a kraudio5u4g as another option too. The kr5u4g was the rectifier I wanted but it just didn't work out at the time so I went with the eml5u4g. I am just ready to hear the difference with all the stock tubes out. The ecc35 6sl7gt kinda threw me for a loop because I fidnt see it in the wa22 compatibility chart but I have been told by different ppl on here that it will work.

I can't speak to the KR 5U4G, but the KR 274B-HD I thought was a touch weak and very clean. Lacking bass impact. My $.02 worth.

 

[Roasty]

@Roasty, what is the best tube combination to use with a Takatsuki 274b in a WA22?

I still prefer the 5998 / 421a variety because it’s more dynamic and lively.

@bpcans good choice on the Tak274b. sorts out one variable in the game; i've tried quite a few rectifiers and keep going back to the Tak. it was my favourite rec on the WA22, and quite a few WA33 users also use it as their main rec. it is not as punchy or as immediate as, say, the KR274b, not as airy/clear as the EML 5u4G, not as full sounding as the GEC u52, but it gives a very balanced and natural sound to the music; nothing is exaggerated and everything seems "in place" with the Tak. As i "mature", i've gone from wanting the most detailed most fast sound most neutral to a more relaxed, laid back and natural flowing sound and the Tak does it for me.

as for the tube combi, i agree with UntilThen.. for the WA22, just source a set of TS5998/WE421A and call it a day. with the WA22, i felt changing the power tubes made more of a difference than the drivers (apart from the ECC35). If you have the available cash, i'd say, source one pair of each 5998 and WE421A and keep for spares. between the two, dont know if it is a placebo ie knowing it is from WE, but i seemed to prefer the 421A.

as for drivers, depending on what headphones you intend to use them with.
if it is for Susvara, TC or any other demanding or low sensitivity hp, then it is a no-brainer. ECC35 for me. ECC35 + WE421A and you will have more than enough dynamics, low end, and wont ever run out of volume knob. as i mentioned previously, u can also run this combo on sensitive cans but with reduced gain at the source. I did run this combo with the Utopia but it may seem a bit too much in that i felt the mids and highs were pushed more forward than i wanted with the Utopia.

for other headphones, as a bang for buck cheap easily available and really good sounding set of drivers, i like to recommend the TS 6SN7GTB tall boys. these sounded the most "balanced" to me, when compared with the Melz 1578 (rolled off, thick), RCA VT231 (somewhat thick, but strong bass), Ken Rad VT231 (overall nice tubes, but went through 3 pairs as two were noisy..), and 6SN7GT "bad boys" (i think these are overhyped and cost more than they should).

 

[Thaddy]

There are some really good recommendations in here, but I'll third @UntilThen and say just get some 5998's, maybe two pairs, and call it a day. Tomorrow I'm planning on listening to my top getter 5998's with some Tung-Sol black glass 6SL7's, paired with an RCA smooth plate dual bottom getter 5R4GY.

 

[9bphillips]

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DdsZyTx3CJv9_cG9kVdCGZap-AldiTsvuY4Ms1K_p3k/pubhtml

it is there. 2nd from the bottom, just above vt231 on the WA22 driver section.

This was the one I had. It has ecc32 on it but not ecc35. I rely on you and ColSaul Tigh for my knowledge. Lol. Both of you have been a tremendous help to me with the recommendations and teaching me what is what. Btw the ones I bought were ecc35 6sl7 gt. Does that make a difference?

 

[9bphillips]

I can't speak to the KR 5U4G, but the KR 274B-HD I thought was a touch weak and very clean. Lacking bass impact. My $.02 worth.

I thought the kr5u4g was one of your favorite rectifiers?

 

[ColSaulTigh]

There's a difference between the KR 5u4g Riccardo Kron Anniversary Edition and the KR-Audio 274B-HD. They are night-and-day different.