[davehg]

Not having heard a Violectric I had this impression it had some warmth from earlier reviews. Is that not true? Were you using the same DAC or was the Violectric‘s optional DAC used?

i have never thought of the WA22 as particularly warm sounding for a tube amp; more neutral than my WA5 or previous WA6SE. Tubes clearly make a big difference in its sound. My WA22 also sports Jupiter copper caps, which are more neutral and dynamic too.

 

[UntilThen]

Not having heard a Violectric I had this impression it had some warmth from earlier reviews. Is that not true? Were you using the same DAC or was the Violectric‘s optional DAC used?

I have never thought of the WA22 as particularly warm sounding for a tube amp; more neutral than my WA5 or previous WA6SE. Tubes clearly make a big difference in its sound. My WA22 also sports Jupiter copper caps, which are more neutral and dynamic too.

It's all relative when you compare 4 amps which is what I have there and I did not say that the v280 is not warm. It is not as warm as the Wa22. Taken by itself, I've never felt that the Wa22 is very warm too. Slightly warm is what I regard it as but never neutral. In this line up, the SP200 is neutral. No coloration at all. Next is the Questyle CMA 12 which is more neutral / very slight warm. Next is the v280, which almost have that tube tone. Very nice ! However it's tighter and more energetic than the Wa22. Last is the Wa22.

Now if I compare my Wa22 with my previous Studio Six and Glenn OTL amp, then I won't consider the Wa22 as the warmest. In fact it felt the least warm amongst the 3 but only just. All of those 3 tube amps are just gorgeous with lovely tube tones.

So it's always relative to what amps you're comparing it to.

Here's a pic when I had Wa22, Studio Six and Glenn OTL amp all together.

 

[UntilThen]

If I include the Ultrasonic Studio Oblivion into the 3 tube amps comparisons, then the Oblivion is the least warm. It has only a very slight tube tone. It's a hybrid with tube in the input stage. It's very clear, almost neutral, details galore, airy and an amazingly wide soundstage. I like it. Has a high and low impedance switch and speakers output banana jacks behind.

Here's the Oblivion, Studio Six together. The other amps have to be moved. There's just 4 slots there. The bottom rack is my Redgum Rgi120enr integrated amp for driving my Axis Voicebox S monitors.

 

[davehg]

I agree the WA22 is not on the overly warm side compared to my WA5.

Pix of my WA5 which can easily and beautifully drive my Devore speakers.

 

[UntilThen]

Yes I've heard the WA5LE against the Glenn OTL amp in the comfort of my own home. I know how WA5LE sound with Takatsuki 300b tubes and good drivers and rectifiers. I rather not get into speakers because I'll talk to no end then.

 

[cj3209]

Yes I've heard the WA5LE against the Glenn OTL amp in the comfort of my own home. I know how WA5LE sound with Takatsuki 300b tubes and good drivers and rectifiers. I rather not get into speakers because I'll talk to no end then.

That's a gorgeous pic of tubes. Must good awesome at night...lol...

 

[bpiotrow13]

Yes I've heard the WA5LE against the Glenn OTL amp in the comfort of my own home. I know how WA5LE sound with Takatsuki 300b tubes and good drivers and rectifiers. I rather not get into speakers because I'll talk to no end then.

Pls share some thoughts againt wa22

 

[UntilThen]

That's a gorgeous pic of tubes. Must good awesome at night...lol...

You have no idea... it's better than Harlem's nights.

Unfortunately I did not capture Wa5LE with time exposures in low light. It would be a knockout.

 

[cj3209]

You have no idea... it's better than Harlem's nights.

Unfortunately I did not capture Wa5LE with time exposures in low light. It would be a knockout.

Audio Tube Porn...

 

[UntilThen]

Pls share some thoughts againt wa22

I don't have Glenn OTL and WA5LE now. Sold off GOTL and return the WA5LE to my friend who kindly loan it to me for 2 solids weeks. I did nothing in the 2 weeks when I was on leave but just listen to my headphones with these 2 tube amps. I had the GOTL for 2 years. That 2 weeks is imprinted in my brain and I will never forget how those 2 amps sound with those tubes.

I told the LCD-X thread that I will give impressions of the LCD-X with Wa22, v280, CMA12 and SMSL SP200. So it will be a while before I come back here to talk about Wa22, GOTL and WA5LE. Just very quickly, I can say they are very different in presentation SQ wise. 3 astonishing tube amps. Then the Studio Six and Oblivion came into my life.... and I'm thinking of a DNA Stratus later this year and of course drooling over the Auris Nirvana. I'm addicted to tube amps but I'm starting to love solid states. It's a dangerous hobby.

 

[UntilThen]

This afternoon, SPL Phonitor X and Schiit Mjolnir 2 join my amps stable for me to test with my gear.

 

[bpiotrow13]

This afternoon, SPL Phonitor X and Schiit Mjolnir 2 join my amps stable for me to test with my gear.

Nice! I am especially curious about Your view on Schiit.

 

[UntilThen]

Have a look at the LCD-X thread. That's where I will be posting my impressions of He1000se, HD800, LCD-3f and LCD-X with those amps. I can't post on multiple threads.

Of course the Wa22 will be compared with the other amps.

 

[bpiotrow13]

Have a look at the LCD-X thread. That's where I will be posting my impressions of He1000se, HD800, LCD-3f and LCD-X with those amps. I can't post on multiple threads.

Of course the Wa22 will be compared with the other amps.

Cool, i have sold lcd 3 f and bought Meze Empyrean. I am looking for a suitable amp. Wa22 could be good but i am not so convinced to balanced mode this is why i am looking.

 

[UntilThen]

Why are you not convinced about balanced mode? If an amp is design for balance then it will be beautifully balanced. If it is design for Se, then it will be SE beautiful. This is common knowledge. One is not better than the other. It's in the implementation and how the designer/engineer plan it. They have the technical know how. I don't. I just listen to both balance and se amps and I know they are both beautiful sounding.

I have not heard the Empyrean but my guess is that it needs a less warm amp. One that is more skew towards neutral would be good. The SPL Phonitor X that I heard today would be great for it.