[akhyar]

  Today I'm sudden noticed the right side is louder. To determine the problem was HE-500 or WA7, I have tested with Icon HDP and used the USB mode of WA7 ==> the problem is WA7 

 
I also try to test with some IEMs, the problem present with IEM slightly less than full can.
 
Have anyone experience this issue with WA7 or other amp? Is it normal or I should return for warranty?
 
Current I have to change the soundcard balance setting to 100 for the Left and 80 for the Right
 
Thanks

 
It's not normal.
Once the tubes have cool down, do switch the tubes and check whether the left side now become louder or still the right side louder.
If the left side now louder, could be one of your tube is failing.
 
If still the right side louder, maybe send them back for warranty purpose if your still can't trouble-shoot the problem

 

[tl13m]

Thanks, I did swap the tubes, still have same problem 

 

[groovyd]

same thing happened to me about 2 months after buying the WA7 turns out the EH tube went bad.  no warrantee by Woo so I went a little nuts and bought out as many other tubes as I could find to hopefully last me forever.  stock up since this tube type is end of life.  it is actually a very special tube and the history and properties of it are impressive.  very difficult to make apparently with low yield.  i think the more recent productions of it were of very low quality.

 

[akhyar]

  same thing happened to me about 2 months after buying the WA7 turns out the EH tube went bad.  no warrantee by Woo so I went a little nuts and bought out as many other tubes as I could find to hopefully last me forever.  stock up since this tube type is end of life.  it is actually a very special tube and the history and properties of it are impressive.  very difficult to make apparently with low yield.  i think the more recent productions of it were of very low quality.

 
That's a bummer...
The only place that I know that is still selling the EH tubes is Woo Audio.
Other 6c45 tubes that I can find online are either the NOS Reflector or cryo-treated Reflector which cost a bomb.
Even the stock Sovtek are also getting difficult to find online.

 

[PleasantSounds]

   
That's a bummer...
The only place that I know that is still selling the EH tubes is Woo Audio.
Other 6c45 tubes that I can find online are either the NOS Reflector or cryo-treated Reflector which cost a bomb.
Even the stock Sovtek are also getting difficult to find online.

 
I got a pair of the cryo-treated Reflektors from tubeman.com for $80, which is cheaper than getting EH from Woo. They sell them individually but if you ask in the order they can match them at no extra charge. 
 
Regarding the channel imbalance discussed earlier: looks like the unit is faulty, but there's a few more tests to do:
- What if you use the WA7 as amp only? 
- Use the WA7 DAC output to another amp 
- Try flicking the input selector switch a few times
- Check if it happens on both low and high gain

 

[Dionysus]

I email woo audio regarding the upgraded power supply as I have been interested in buying the WA7, and received the following response from Jack.


The new PSU is delayed. It may be available in late March.

Thanks,
Jack

 

[EdmontonCanuck]

I email woo audio regarding the upgraded power supply as I have been interested in buying the WA7, and received the following response from Jack.


The new PSU is delayed. It may be available in late March.

Thanks,
Jack

Although I've heard the upgrade price is $300 for the new PSU, I haven't heard what the difference in price would be to buy the WA7 now and upgrade later vs waiting for the PSU to be released. Perhaps it might be worth it to just jump in now rather than wait. Perhaps in the end it would amount to the same cost and you're waiting needlessly?

 

[JoelT]

I email woo audio regarding the upgraded power supply as I have been interested in buying the WA7, and received the following response from Jack.


The new PSU is delayed. It may be available in late March.

Thanks,
Jack

 
Pity. Though I can't say I find the WA7 to be lacking as-is. Still, I'm looking forward to the new PSU. My wallet probably doesn't mind a break.

 

[tl13m]

   
I got a pair of the cryo-treated Reflektors from tubeman.com for $80, which is cheaper than getting EH from Woo. They sell them individually but if you ask in the order they can match them at no extra charge. 
 
Regarding the channel imbalance discussed earlier: looks like the unit is faulty, but there's a few more tests to do:
- What if you use the WA7 as amp only? 
- Use the WA7 DAC output to another amp 
- Try flicking the input selector switch a few times
- Check if it happens on both low and high gain

 
I did try these tests but no luck 

 
Thanks

 

[tl13m]

  Today I'm sudden noticed the right side is louder. To determine the problem was HE-500 or WA7, I have tested with Icon HDP and used the USB mode of WA7 ==> the problem is WA7 

 
I did swap the tubes to see if the left will louder because my WA7 have one tube brigher than other ==> same result, the right side still louder.
 
I also try to test with some IEMs, the problem present with IEM slightly less than full can.
 
Have anyone experience this issue with WA7 or other amp? Is it normal or I should return for warranty?
 
Current I have to change the soundcard balance setting to 100 for the Left and 80 for the Right
 
Thanks

 
I'v returned my WA7 to the shop this morning for checkup, surprisedly, the sound is balanced

. But when I came home, the sound went to imbalance again 

.
 
I suspect the power cable may be the problem? so I swap with the Icon HDP cable ==> still have the problem.

 
Is it possible other interference? What should I do now?

 

[PleasantSounds]

   
I'v returned my WA7 to the shop this morning for checkup, surprisedly, the sound is balanced

. But when I came home, the sound went to imbalance again 

.
 
I suspect the power cable may be the problem? so I swap with the Icon HDP cable ==> still have the problem.

 
Is it possible other interference? What should I do now?

 
Can you try another source of signal? Looks like this could be your problem.

 

[tl13m]

   
Can you try another source of signal? Looks like this could be your problem.

I did try with other RCA and USB mode (test with 1 stock cable and 1 cable $25), these things work fine with my Icon HDP 

 
Thanks

 

[groovyd]

Looks like you are going to have to tear the WA7 open and take some pictures so we can sort this out properly 

 

[Crashem]

Are the Western Electric WE-437A usable as well?  If so, has anyone tried them.  One of the tube retailers said that Sovtek 6C45PI was the same as the WE-437A.

 

[PleasantSounds]

  Are the Western Electric WE-437A usable as well?  If so, has anyone tried them.  One of the tube retailers said that Sovtek 6C45PI was the same as the WE-437A.

 
Based on what I was able to establish, they are compatible and should work, but may not be as good as 6C45p.