Dude you weren't kidding when you suggested this combo! I mean good lord I dont think I've ever heard such a big improvement in sound. Don't get me wrong, I loved the wa22 from the get go but this is on another level. Those mullard ecc35 are a powerhouse and the we421a shaped the combo into something so sweet and smooth it's just unreal! It's hard for me to put my finger on what tube changed what because as you know it was my first time rolling tubes and I changed them all within a week. All I know Is I really really love the sound. I didn't really love my lcd x that much on the wa22 with stock tubes but with this combo they are freaking great! Of course the Verite Closed sounds phenomenal with these tubes. You definitely hit the nail on the head with this tube combo. I am anxious to try another rectifier with a different sound signature. The eml 5u4g is clean and crisp and I would like to try something different from that to see what It would sound like. Maybe the Tak274b like you said earlier!