[Badas]

Thank you SO MUCH for your post...
I wished I read this before I tried to get Sylvania 6080 and RCA 6AS7 working... it was IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of the hum...
Can you please help me understand how and why do we run 6BL7 in pairs?

6BL7
You don't need to run in pairs. I actually found they were powerful enough by themselves.
I experimented running double in each socket. Ultimately found they were ugly and decided to go back to standard 6080. I have strange taste and actually like stock standard cheap RCA 6080 tubes as power tubes. I don't know why.
I have tried everything and went back to the one everyone else doesn't really like.

 

[Badas]

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

I'm never getting rid of mine. Powers most HP's beautifully.

 

[9bphillips]

Depending on your source and headphones, the 5998/6SL7 combo may provide too much gain. I would definitely start with the 5998's though. For driver tubes I really like my late 1940's RCA Gray Glass 6SN7's and Sylvania Brown Base 6SN7's.

6SL7's will work in the WA22 but they are not recommended by Woo Audio. I have a pair of Tung-Sol Black Glass 6SL7's coming tomorrow, and even though my DAC3 has it's gain set to -20dB I'll probably take out my 5998's and use some Chatham 6AS7G's with them.

I'm using my dx300 as source and dac right now with lcd x and Verite Closed. I will check out some other options if it will be too much gain.

 

[Roasty]

I'm using my dx300 as source and dac right now with lcd x and Verite Closed. I will check out some other options if it will be too much gain.

reducing gain is easy at the source or Roon dsp/headroom. if u intend to run susvara or TC with WA22, the ECC35 are the way to go. they sounded great with the VO/VC as well.

 

[9bphillips]

reducing gain is easy at the source or Roon dsp/headroom. if u intend to run susvara or TC with WA22, the ECC35 are the way to go. they sounded great with the VO/VC as well.

Ok that is really assuring. One day I would love to have either the Susvara or TC but it won't be anytime soon because I have many other things I need too like a dac. I have been using my dx300 as source/dac and it sounds great but I don't have anything to compare it too because I have never owned a desktop dac. I am seriously debating on selling my Soloist GT to fund a dac. Maybe Holo spring 3 kte or lampizator amber 4 dac. You are right that I could use my dx300 to control the gain with the ecc35. That would probably solve the issue if there is too much gain. I have just heard south about these tubes from you an others that it seems to be the best option for most. I had read that this combo can be a little on the bright side. I don't want it too bright. I have heard of some ppl saying that certain tube combinations can be on the solid state sounding side. I definitely wouldn't want that if that is what they meant by bright. I want it to still sound like tubes. Thx for the advice. It is greatly appreciated because I am lost without you guys!

 

[ColSaulTigh]

Depending on your source and headphones, the 5998/6SL7 combo may provide too much gain. I would definitely start with the 5998's though. For driver tubes I really like my late 1940's RCA Gray Glass 6SN7's and Sylvania Brown Base 6SN7's.

6SL7's will work in the WA22 but they are not recommended by Woo Audio. I have a pair of Tung-Sol Black Glass 6SL7's coming tomorrow, and even though my DAC3 has it's gain set to -20dB I'll probably take out my 5998's and use some Chatham 6AS7G's with them.

I'm currently (pun!) running the grey glass RCA's in my WA5 - I like 'em, but can't say they're spectacular. They are VERY resolving though. My Tung Sol 6F8G's are on the way, Woo adapters already in-hand (gorgeous, btw!).

I had no idea 6SN7's would work in the WA22 - do they require adapters?

 

[Roasty]

I had no idea 6SN7's would work in the WA22 - do they require adapters?

plug and play!

 

[drjerryyan]

6BL7
You don't need to run in pairs. I actually found they were powerful enough by themselves.
I experimented running double in each socket. Ultimately found they were ugly and decided to go back to standard 6080. I have strange taste and actually like stock standard cheap RCA 6080 tubes as power tubes. I don't know why.
I have tried everything and went back to the one everyone else doesn't really like.

why do you ned adapters for the standard 6080s and the 5u4g?

 

[Roasty]

why do you ned adapters for the standard 6080s and the 5u4g?

I think those are socket savers.

 

[Badas]

I think those are socket savers.

why do you ned adapters for the standard 6080s and the 5u4g?

Correct. Socket savers. Not adapters.

 

[CAJames]

6BL7
You don't need to run in pairs. I actually found they were powerful enough by themselves.
I experimented running double in each socket. Ultimately found they were ugly and decided to go back to standard 6080. I have strange taste and actually like stock standard cheap RCA 6080 tubes as power tubes. I don't know why.
I have tried everything and went back to the one everyone else doesn't really like.

I always had hum with a single 6B[L|X]7 regardless of rectifier or input tubes, but plenty of power. Using a pair with adapters was fine, although either way it was a lot more gain than other power options.

 

[Badas]

I always had hum with a single 6B[L|X]7 regardless of rectifier or input tubes, but plenty of power. Using a pair with adapters was fine, although either way it was a lot more gain than other power options.

What input are you using? RCA or XLR.
I had hum issues with RCA. Switched to XLR and hum went away.

 

[Thaddy]

I'm currently (pun!) running the grey glass RCA's in my WA5 - I like 'em, but can't say they're spectacular. They are VERY resolving though. My Tung Sol 6F8G's are on the way, Woo adapters already in-hand (gorgeous, btw!).

I had no idea 6SN7's would work in the WA22 - do they require adapters?

That's exactly why I like them They pair very well with all of the older power and rectifiers I have from the late 40's and early 50's. Tonight and tomorrow I'm going to try out the Tung-Sol 5998/RCA Gray Glass 6SN7/Sophia Princess Mesh Plate 274B combo.

 

[CAJames]

What input are you using? RCA or XLR.
I had hum issues with RCA. Switched to XLR and hum went away.

XLR, but the hum was there with nothing connected.

 

[Badas]

XLR, but the hum was there with nothing connected.

Okay.
So that is either power supply or tubes. Most likely tubes.