[jonathan c]

• I sold my silver WA6 Gen. 1 some time ago BUT puchased another silver WA6 Gen. 1 beauty ( !!). The original owner had upgraded the capacitors and changed the LED colour to orange (as in tube glow !!).
• I will use in the ‘6DE7’ sockets only 12AT7 / ECC81 type types via Xuling Audio Lab 12A#7 —> 6DE7 adapters.

 

[AnyDave]

• I sold my silver WA6 Gen. 1 some time ago BUT puchased another silver WA6 Gen. 1 beauty ( !!). The original owner had upgraded the capacitors and changed the LED colour to orange (as in tube glow !!).
• I will use in the ‘6DE7’ sockets only 12AT7 / ECC81 type types via Xuling Audio Lab 12A#7 —> 6DE7 adapters.

I just got a WA6 Gen 2 on loan. I'm listening to it right now. First impressions are quite good. What a neat little amp. Very desktop friendly.

 

[jonathan c]

I just got a WA6 Gen 2 on loan. I'm listening to it right now. First impressions are quite good. What a neat little amp. Very desktop friendly.

If it grows (sonically!) on you, make the lender an offer … ===>

 

[jonathan c]

A fabulous-sounding ensemble!

[Grado GH4 Limited Edition (norwegian pine); WA6 tubes: Shuguang 5U4G, Telefunken NOS ECC801S pair.]

 

[ben8ding]

Just ordered a NOS Phillips JAN 5U4GB that seemed to be going for a pretty decent price, can't wait to see how that stacks up to my Sophia mesh plate.

Planning to get an Atticus from ZMF November as well to compare to my LCD-2 on this amp.

I should probably just order the Brimar tube too lol.

 

[jonathan c]

For WA6 Gen 1, it is time to circle back to

as the rectifier tube. This tube is critical to the operation and sound of WA6. That is why I like to have the pins immaculate.

 

[jonathan c]

• After time with Brimar CV1863, the stage was set for the debut of Mullard GZ34 (NOS, 7-notch plates, dual getter, copper lined) in WA6 Gen 1.

• After a half-hour warmup, extension of bass is patently obvious; image clarity & specificity is greater; recovery & rendition of acoustics & ambience is deeper.
• “The King is dead, long live the King”: —> .

 

[ben8ding]

Just installed and burned in an RCA 5U4G since I've heard it's really good for the price. At $15-$25 it definitely keeps up with the $150 or so Sophia Mesh Plate, although I wouldn't say it surpasses it. The biggest change would be that the treble feels looser, a bit fuzzier on sharper notes.

I think I'm honestly starting to prefer colder presentations more than I initially thought, perhaps it's time to give a solid state amp a try again.

 

[phoneslave86]

Just installed and burned in an RCA 5U4G since I've heard it's really good for the price. At $15-$25 it definitely keeps up with the $150 or so Sophia Mesh Plate, although I wouldn't say it surpasses it. The biggest change would be that the treble feels looser, a bit fuzzier on sharper notes.

I think I'm honestly starting to prefer colder presentations more than I initially thought, perhaps it's time to give a solid state amp a try again.

13em7 with adapters will clean it up too more holographic, better slam and tighter sounding on my wa6 se. Need decently fresh ones. More like solid state to me. Similar noise floor as 13fd7

 

[b0lt 0ns]

• After time with Brimar CV1863, the stage was set for the debut of Mullard GZ34 (NOS, 7-notch plates, dual getter, copper lined) in WA6 Gen 1. • After a half-hour warmup, extension of bass is patently obvious; image clarity & specificity is greater; recovery & rendition of acoustics & ambience is deeper.
• “The King is dead, long live the King”: —> .

what does one of those run? i took your advice a while ago and got the brimar 1863. shortly after got a sophia mesh plate thinking it would be better and the brimar is the winner there if we arent taking looks into account. i have been considering a 596 but possibly one of these instead?

 

[jonathan c]

what does one of those run? i took your advice a while ago and got the brimar 1863. shortly after got a sophia mesh plate thinking it would be better and the brimar is the winner there if we arent taking looks into account. i have been considering a 596 but possibly one of these instead?

The NOS (new old stock) Mullard GZ34, with strong testing via properly calibrated testers, currently runs up to $175 each. The USAF 596 is excellent too; it will require a 596 —> 5U4 adapter, though. Woo Audio makes the best of these: $150.

 

[b0lt 0ns]

The NOS (new old stock) Mullard GZ34, with strong testing via properly calibrated testers, currently runs up to $175 each. The USAF 596 is excellent too; it will require a 596 —> 5U4 adapter, though. Woo Audio makes the best of these: $150.

if i buy a 596 i intend to buy it directly from woo with the adapter. $175 isnt bad at all considering the prices of many other tubes including the $400 596. looks like im gonna be browsing ebay for the next week lol.

 

[guitargonaut]

Found some tubes that won't be used and feeling generous. The first to DM their mailing address (within the contiguous 48 please) will receive an early Christmas present. Very cheap way to roll some tubes in your Gen 2.



Congratulations Tralfaz! They're headed your way.

 

[hotjava13]

The 274B Sophia Aqua II Tube has made a significant difference over the stock RCA that was sent with the unit, Granted I only have 20 hours on the 274b. Looking at getting the 13FD7 to switch out the stock RCA 13DE7.. Read that the driver tubes make a worthwhile improvement/change in sound.

 

[der Koekje]

I'm on the lookout for my first (OTL) tube amp to pair with the HD800(s), and I'm seeing first gen of these pop up for extremely reasonable prices, say €250-400. Would this amp still hold up in 2023 or would I be better off checking out something like the Feliks Echo II, Xduoo TA-26 or Eufoniks/Bottlehead?