[hung031086]

How about Tung Sol 5998 ?

 

[Coran]

How about Tung Sol 5998 ?

They are fantastic tubes, but you'd nearly spend your entire budget on those alone.

 

[hung031086]

They are fantastic tubes, but you'd nearly spend your entire budget on those alone.

I can spend more than that. I just don't know its worth it to do that or not.

 

[VanHai]

I can spend more than that. I just don't know its worth it to do that or not.

Best power tubes for WA22.

 

[hung031086]

Best power tubes for WA22.

Do I need adapters for them ? I have been tried a few tube amps before. But I still don't know much about tubes.

 

[jbua5150]

Do I need adapters for them ? I have been tried a few tube amps before. But I still don't know much about tubes.

No tube adapter needed to use TungSol 5998 on WA22.
Maybe a $$ adapter. Hehe

 

[elwappo99]

How about Tung Sol 5998 ?

The Tung Sol 5998 are the most sought after tube for the 6080 line, and they are quite good, but the cost is quite high. IMHO, once you start looking at those high price tubes to eek out a bit more performance from the WA22, you're better off with a higher end 300b based amp which even at a basic configuration would greatly outpace a WA22.

If you've got a WA22 spend a hundred or so on tubes and just enjoy it for what it is. But once people talk about spending close to $1000 on tubes there's better options to look at.

 

[BillinSF]

I bought WA22. Then upgraded with a WE 422A rectifier and two TS 5998 power tubes and a few pairs of driver tubes. Spent more on the tubes than the amp itself.

Sigh... choices to be made.

btw ... sounds great!!!!

 

[BillinSF]

I can spend more than that. I just don't know its worth it to do that or not.

Hung.

There are smarter people than me on Head-Fi. But here's my two cents.

A tube headphone amp is powered by, and its sound is generated by, the tubes. That's why it's called a tube amp. The tubes do the work. The amp itself is just a platform. Connectors, knobs, etc.

Sound quality begins with the rectifier. Converts your AC household current to DC. WA22 starts with a 5U4G (or compatable) rectifier. See first attachment.

At the end of the chain are the driver tubes. See second attachment. 6SN7 tubes and variants.

As one commenter said, a tube amp based on the 300B tube would be awesome. That's a real step up in rectifier quality and power.

I LOVE my WA22 with a WE 422A rectifier and TS 5998 power tubes and I use RCA 1940's grey glass driver tubes. Powers my Sennhesier 800S like a dream. And yup, spent about $2,200 on tubes. But again, the tubes are the sound!

Best of luck.

 

[hung031086]

I upgraded tubes. Sophia Aqua 274B, RCA 6SN7GT Smoked Glass, RCA 6AS7G NOS.

 

[Badas]

I upgraded tubes. Sophia Aqua 274B, RCA 6SN7GT Smoked Glass, RCA 6AS7G NOS.

Looks gorgeous.

 

[Coran]

I upgraded tubes. Sophia Aqua 274B, RCA 6SN7GT Smoked Glass, RCA 6AS7G NOS.

How is the sound now?

 

[Thaddy]

I upgraded tubes. Sophia Aqua 274B, RCA 6SN7GT Smoked Glass, RCA 6AS7G NOS.

That should be an excellent combination with your Atrium's.

 

[ColSaulTigh]

I upgraded tubes. Sophia Aqua 274B, RCA 6SN7GT Smoked Glass, RCA 6AS7G NOS.

Love those RCA 6SN7GT Smoked Glass - nice and smokey and warm sounding!

 

[hung031086]

How is the sound now?

Better than before but soundstage I think its smaller than before a tiny bit.