[moemoney]

I think a used WA5 is the sweet spot. I’ve got a WA22 with upgraded Jupiter copper caps, and a Gen I WA5. The WA5 makes everything sound great with unbalanced sources and even stock tubes (though it benefits from better tubes). The WA22 only sounds great with balanced source and balanced headphone cables and it all but demands better tubes. I’ve kept toying with the idea of letting the WA22 go but now that I’ve got it sounding great I really struggle with the idea, and it is absolutely the best match with the HD650s.

I came from a WA22 second generation to a WA5LE 2nd Ge. and I’m very happy with the sound of the WA5, it’s a big step up and I believe you can upgrade to better tubes with the 5 compared to the WA22. just IMHO.

 

[davehg]

I came from a WA22 second generation to a WA5LE 2nd Ge. and I’m very happy with the sound of the WA5, it’s a big step up and I believe you can upgrade to better tubes with the 5 compared to the WA22. just IMHO.

Mo, I was able to reuse all the NOS 6SN7s and Sophia and Brimar 5AU4s I acquired for the WA22 with the WA5. But like you, still searching for the right 300b that won’t break the bank. The 6080s on the WA22 seem to have the least effect and the 6SN7s the most, whereas with the WA5 the 274b made a big difference and still experimenting with 300bs. Not certain the 6SN7 had as big of an impact on the WA5 as it did on the WA22. Currently running RCA black base 6SN7 on the WA5 and Sylvanias on the WA22.

 

[moemoney]

Mo, I was able to reuse all the NOS 6SN7s and Sophia and Brimar 5AU4s I acquired for the WA22 with the WA5. But like you, still searching for the right 300b that won’t break the bank. The 6080s on the WA22 seem to have the least effect and the 6SN7s the most, whereas with the WA5 the 274b made a big difference and still experimenting with 300bs. Not certain the 6SN7 had as big of an impact on the WA5 as it did on the WA22. Currently running RCA black base 6SN7 on the WA5 and Sylvanias on the WA22.

I just purchase a pair of Sophia Electric Blue Glass 6SN7s to try out and they only have about 15 hours on them but they do have better range compared to my Hytron 6SN7, and are more open on top and deeper bass. But the Hytron’s seem to have dimensionality. But like I stated I need more time with the Blue Glass. Also picking up today a pair of Takatsuki 300bs so I may fall into that too many changes at one time syndrome to give a honest opinion about anything.

 

[grooveriders]

Hi guys Im looking to buy a second hand WA22 (probably Gen1). Do I have anything to worry or to check for, for a 5+years old WA22. Also do you know the rough median price for a 5-6 years old WA22 ? Lastly how much would it cost me replace all the 5 tubes (new tube or NOS, not looking for TOTL tubes but more budget friendly) ? Looking to Pair with my HD800 and HE1000 v2. Thanks!

 

[davehg]

Hi guys Im looking to buy a second hand WA22 (probably Gen1). Do I have anything to worry or to check for, for a 5+years old WA22. Also do you know the rough median price for a 5-6 years old WA22 ? Lastly how much would it cost me replace all the 5 tubes (new tube or NOS, not looking for TOTL tubes but more budget friendly) ? Looking to Pair with my HD800 and HE1000 v2. Thanks!

I’m guessing $1200-1500. The Gen 2 was more of a feature upgrade (eg use as a preamp) and price increased $500. But the sonic character is close.

On tubes, cost varies widely. I’ve had great luck acquiring Brimar/Langrex 5AU4s for about $25-30, much less than Sophia 274s. The Mullard 6080s are similarly priced. I spend my money on NOS 6SN7 which can very widely in cost but which really change the sound. The new stuff is ok but the real gems are NOS and getting a bit harder to find and therefore spendy. I’m seeing $50-100+ for tubes that used to sell for half that cost.

That said, as finicky as the WA22 is compared to the rest of the Woo line (I owned the 6SE, and IWB the WA22 and WA5), once you get it nailed it truly is a terrific amp. But I’m a believer that if you are spending nearly the cost of a used WA22 in tubes, it is time to go up the food chain to a stock WA5.

 

[grooveriders]

I’m guessing $1200-1500. The Gen 2 was more of a feature upgrade (eg use as a preamp) and price increased $500. But the sonic character is close.

On tubes, cost varies widely. I’ve had great luck acquiring Brimar/Langrex 5AU4s for about $25-30, much less than Sophia 274s. The Mullard 6080s are similarly priced. I spend my money on NOS 6SN7 which can very widely in cost but which really change the sound. The new stuff is ok but the real gems are NOS and getting a bit harder to find and therefore spendy. I’m seeing $50-100+ for tubes that used to sell for half that cost.

That said, as finicky as the WA22 is compared to the rest of the Woo line (I owned the 6SE, and IWB the WA22 and WA5), once you get it nailed it truly is a terrific amp. But I’m a believer that if you are spending nearly the cost of a used WA22 in tubes, it is time to go up the food chain to a stock WA5.

Thankyou for the reply. My current budget for an amp is only $1250 + $250 for tubes, The WA5-LE in my country costs $5,200 brand new so it is out of my budget (The WA22 is $2800). I have only tried the WA33 and it was amazing (got me iching for a woo audio tube amp since) but the price is out of reach for me so I will have to hunt for a second hand WA22.

 

[davehg]

A WA22 is a solid choice then. I also loved the WA33 but not enough to pony up.

another amp to consider in your price range is the Violetric 280 or 281. It has the power of the WA22 and not the expense of Tubes. Massdrop had a group buy for a decent price - under your budget. I hear only good things about it and would try one myself if I didn’t already have one too many headphone amps.

I use my WA5 as a speaker amp too, and it performs wonderfully driving Devore speakers which are sensitive enough for a lower power 400b amp.

 

[grooveriders]

A WA22 is a solid choice then. I also loved the WA33 but not enough to pony up.

another amp to consider in your price range is the Violetric 280 or 281. It has the power of the WA22 and not the expense of Tubes. Massdrop had a group buy for a decent price - under your budget. I hear only good things about it and would try one myself if I didn’t already have one too many headphone amps.

I use my WA5 as a speaker amp too, and it performs wonderfully driving Devore speakers which are sensitive enough for a lower power 400b amp.

That was one of my options also until I stumbled upon the chinese clone (accurate a281) which some members in my headphone club said that it sounds exactly like the v281 (only $700 brand new) so I might get that sometime later.
My main “itch” is the tube amp for now. Now I am using my topping A90 as a preamp for my massdrop cth as I am very desperate for a tube amp lol.

 

[davehg]

Just a personal nit - I am not a fan of Chinese clones. It’s one thing to design and test and refine a piece of gear and perfect its build, and another to clone and offer a copy devoid of the expense of R&D. I’ve seen plenty of clones of gear like the EAR 834p and I’ve zero desire to support those, even if I save some bucks. Resale of that gear is terrible too. Not to say all Chinese built gear is sup par - my Lumin D2 is an example of top flight Chinese (Hong Kong) manufacturing and R&D and stellar customer support.

One reason I love Japanese hand made gear. Leben, Air Tight, Shindo and Luxman are jewel like pieces of gear that hold their value and remain enduring objects of desire.

 

[cj3209]

TS5998/WE421a power tubes will leave the stock 6080 in the drawer forever.
ECC35 are the best driver tubes I've heard with the wa22 hands down.

Unfortunately, yes, both sets are pricey.. You can go about it both ways. Either spend money on a lot of other tubes, or just bite the bullet and get the ones I mentioned.

I like them so much, I have a small stash of 4x 5998 and 4x WE421a, and 4x Mullard ECC35.

I'm sure there are other recommendations out there. Have fun on the journey! U have a nice amp to play with and it'll bring your lots of enjoyment. I'm upgrading to a WA33 which is on the way, but will most likely keep the WA22 for a second rig.

Just purchased a WA22 2gen. What is the difference between ECC35 and ECC32 power tubes? The Woo Manual states that the ECC32 is the recommended power tube upgrade?

thx in advance

CJ

 

[Roasty]

Just purchased a WA22 2gen. What is the difference between ECC35 and ECC32 power tubes? The Woo Manual states that the ECC32 is the recommended power tube upgrade?

thx in advance

CJ

Hey! Sorry man I've not tried ecc32 tubes. They're driver tubes by the way. Perhaps someone else with info can chime in. I went with ecc35 based on recommendations and website reviews.

 

[bpcans]

Hey WA22 faithful. I just received a matched pair of NOS Tung Sol 5998 power tubes for my WA22 2nd generation amplifier. I replaced the 6080 stock tubes that came with my WA22 with the 5998’s, and the difference in sound quality was immediately apparent. More detail and instrument delineation for sure. Plus the whole presentation was quite a bit smoother and easier to listen to. As you can see I’m using a USAF 596 rectifier tube with 2 x Sophia Electric 6SN7 driver tubes. The impact into my Focal Utopias was well worth the power tube upgrade IMO. Any impressions that others who have done this improvement would be greatly appreciated.

 

[cj3209]

Hey WA22 faithful. I just received a matched pair of NOS Tung Sol 5998 power tubes for my WA22 2nd generation amplifier. I replaced the 6080 stock tubes that came with my WA22 with the 5998’s, and the difference in sound quality was immediately apparent. More detail and instrument delineation for sure. Plus the whole presentation was quite a bit smoother and easier to listen to. As you can see I’m using a USAF 596 rectifier tube with 2 x Sophia Electric 6SN7 driver tubes. The impact into my Focal Utopias was well worth the power tube upgrade IMO. Any impressions that others who have done this improvement would be greatly appreciated.

I got the USAF 596 rectifier tube upgrade as well. Waiting for my silver WA22 to arrive and want to have a good listen for some time before splurging on the 5998s.

 

[bpcans]

I got the USAF 596 rectifier tube upgrade as well. Waiting for my silver WA22 to arrive and want to have a good listen for some time before splurging on the 5998s.

cj3209, Mike Liang at Woo makes sure that the stock tubes that he sends out with WA22 are dead quiet and will work perfectly with your new amp. That being said, a little tube rolling will not hurt the SQ or your new toy. I have and have tried a couple of different rectifier tubes in the past with my WA6, and the Sophia Princes 274b and the USAF 596 gave me the best results for a rectifier tube. Congratulations on your new amplifier! You won’t be disappointed.

 

[cj3209]

cj3209, Mike Liang at Woo makes sure that the stock tubes that he sends out with WA22 are dead quiet and will work perfectly with your new amp. That being said, a little tube rolling will not hurt the SQ or your new toy. I have and have tried a couple of different rectifier tubes in the past with my WA6, and the Sophia Princes 274b and the USAF 596 gave me the best results for a rectifier tube. Congratulations on your new amplifier! You won’t be disappointed.

Yes, Mike L. did recommend to me that the USAF 596 would be a good upgrade.

Cheers!

CJ