That's interesting. Almost the first thing I learned about the WA22 is the 6528/6336 draw way to much current and will burn out your power transformer, according to conventional wisdom. I'm not really hurting for power tubes but this makes me think (which is always dangerous....). A couple years ago they were dirt cheap, but have gotten more expensive like pretty much everything.
If you significantly exceed the current capacity of a power transformer the typical failure mode is for the transformer to get really hot, melt the insulator and short out.
How likely that is I'm in no position to say. I don't know of anyone except the previous poster who has actually tried these high current tubes in WA22 and he claims no ill effects. I do know there are lots of posts, probably even from Woo, warning against it. For me, it isn't worth the risk, but that is JMO/FWIW and all that.
Hey all, I have a question. I purchased a WooAudio WA-22 2nd Gen tube amp that I am using as a preamp for my Oor+Hypsos. It sounds amazing, but I noticed the manual lists the preamp is spec'd for an output impedance of <50 Ohm, while I read the input impedance of the Ferrum Oor is 94kOhm.
It is a little confusing because when you're talking about headphones or speakers you (generally) want to match impedance. That's because matching impedance maximizes power transfer. But between components you want to maximize voltage transfer so you want the destination impedance much higher than the source.
My latest "favorite" tube set: RCA 5R4GY WWIIish Double-D getters; GEC L63 "vintage D getter" ; SED Winged-C 6N13S ca. 1968. I call it "Yalta."
Interestingly I've tried either the rectifier or power tubes in several other combinations and they were never anything special but together they make beautiful music. Fast, dynamic and detailed, with just splash of liquid tube magic. And I think even today pretty reasonably priced compared to some of the TOTL options out there.
I am very fortunate to have a local “tube guy”. He allows me to rent time on his Amplitrex, and I have been known to purchase interesting tubes from him.
Last week he’s asked if I would listen to a pair of the KEN-RAD Black glass 6SN7 in my amp, to see if they were noisy at all (they were quiet).
I don’t often listen to my Focal Elegia, but they are very good to use to listen for microphonics and noise (much more so than any of my other cans), so they are what I used for most of my listening.
I’m not great with the “audio terminology”, but they made the Elegia sound so wonderfully full, warm, and still very dynamic and engaging (the most enjoyable experience I’ve had with them)
Later that day I returned the tubes I auditioned, and asked if he had any for sale (the pair I listened to were different labels one was a JAN the other was not). I much prefer to buy date matched pairs, purely for aesthetic reasons.
He thought he probably had what I wanted, and that he’d try to find them (there must be thousands of tubes in his stock room).
Today he found me a pair!
Test as new on the Amplitrex, are the same date code, and are mil spec!!
As I sit here listening to Elegia’s I am very grateful.
I am very fortunate to have a local “tube guy”. He allows me to rent time on his Amplitrex, and I have been known to purchase interesting tubes from him.
Last week he’s asked if I would listen to a pair of the KEN-RAD Black glass 6SN7 in my amp, to see if they were noisy at all (they were quiet).
I don’t often listen to my Focal Elegia, but they are very good to use to listen for microphonics and noise (much more so than any of my other cans), so they are what I used for most of my listening.
I’m not great with the “audio terminology”, but they made the Elegia sound so wonderfully full, warm, and still very dynamic and engaging (the most enjoyable experience I’ve had with them)
Later that day I returned the tubes I auditioned, and asked if he had any for sale (the pair I listened to were different labels one was a JAN the other was not). I much prefer to buy date matched pairs, purely for aesthetic reasons.
He thought he probably had what I wanted, and that he’d try to find them (there must be thousands of tubes in his stock room).
Today he found me a pair!
Test as new on the Amplitrex, are the same date code, and are mil spec!!
As I sit here listening to Elegia’s I am very grateful.
If you want something that goes even more warm and toasty, have him find you a pair of early 40's RCA Grey Glass (preferably mil-spec CRC JAN VT-231). Very "smokey jazz club" sounding vibe to them.
I am very fortunate to have a local “tube guy”. He allows me to rent time on his Amplitrex, and I have been known to purchase interesting tubes from him.
Last week he’s asked if I would listen to a pair of the KEN-RAD Black glass 6SN7 in my amp, to see if they were noisy at all (they were quiet).
I don’t often listen to my Focal Elegia, but they are very good to use to listen for microphonics and noise (much more so than any of my other cans), so they are what I used for most of my listening.
I’m not great with the “audio terminology”, but they made the Elegia sound so wonderfully full, warm, and still very dynamic and engaging (the most enjoyable experience I’ve had with them)
Later that day I returned the tubes I auditioned, and asked if he had any for sale (the pair I listened to were different labels one was a JAN the other was not). I much prefer to buy date matched pairs, purely for aesthetic reasons.
He thought he probably had what I wanted, and that he’d try to find them (there must be thousands of tubes in his stock room).
Today he found me a pair!
Test as new on the Amplitrex, are the same date code, and are mil spec!!
As I sit here listening to Elegia’s I am very grateful.
These, as well as the 1940 grey glass RCAs, have become my preferred tubes in my WA22. Just a joyous listening experience, and they don't slouch on detail either!
These, as well as the 1940 grey glass RCAs, have become my preferred tubes in my WA22. Just a joyous listening experience, and they don't slouch on detail either!
I think this will be the next rectifier I pick up. I have enjoyed both the Elrog 5U4G, and currently the EML 5U4G (possibly my favorite at the moment), but I'd love to get this one. Everyone raves about it!
These, as well as the 1940 grey glass RCAs, have become my preferred tubes in my WA22. Just a joyous listening experience, and they don't slouch on detail either!
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. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
