I haven't posted here in a while, but I have been busy tube rolling. I want to thank all the posters for providing me much background info as I rolled tubes in and out, especially RU4music, MikeLap, and Heatfan12. I love my WA2 and I use it as both a headphone amp and a preamp for my speakers system. This is a very good amp and with the right tubes it is a fantastic amp. So I'll leave some quick impressions on my top 5 of each type of tube.
Power tubes:
1) Western Electric 421A- powerful, airy and dynamic. Huge sounstage with a 3D quality. Superb details. Intoxicated from the first listen, whether from my T1s or my speakers.
2) GEC 6AS7G - Slightly warm, very musical, refined details. Has both rich tone and great speed with deep articulate bass. Very apparent why this is a favorite of many
3a) Tung Sol 5998- very detailed and powerful. Much like the 421A but without the air and 3D imaging that makes the 421A so special.
3b) GEC 6080 - the GEC 6AS7Gs more affordable little brother, has 90% of his quality at half the price.
3c) Sylvania 7236- A very underated all around performer.
Preamp/Driver tubes: (6SN7s & ECC32 w/adapter)
1) Mullard ECC32 brown bass - Hands down best driver tube I tried. Rich lush tones, refined details, great focus, speed, bass, almost any desirable quality, it has. It almost plays like an instrument itself. Makes the whole system euphonious.
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2) Tung Sol VT-231A - Very dynamic, very fast. spectacularly detailed. Paired very well with the GEC 6AS7G in my system.
3) 6N23P '74 Reflektor Silver shield single wire getter post - What a superb little tube. Rich, dynamic, fast with great focus and holographic imagery.
4) Sylvania 6SN7GT - most slam and best bottom end of any tube tried.....and yet it still maintains good balance and performance in mids and upper ranges.
5) Siemens CCA - large soundstage and 3D holographic imaging. Perhaps the greatest focus of all tubes with exquisite micro-details but lacks a bit of warmth
Rectifier tubes:
1) Marconi U709 - Very, very rare and by far the best rectfier tube.
It's kind of like giving the amp a power supply upgrade. Lower noise floor, greater details and clarity, deeper bass. Everything plays with more flourish. I did not expect this much improvement from a rectifier tube.
*******not much to say other than a good rectifier tube makes your driver and power tubes better. I will rank the rest
2) Brimar EZ81
3) Telefunken EZ80
4) Mullard EZ81
5) RFT EZ80
Since 2 of my top tubes are made in England, my love of British valves is apparent. I have to thank Kef at ValveTubes for supplying me with the Mullard ECC32s and the Marconi U709s. It is nice to form a relationship with a good tube guy and I can rely on Kef to provide me the best. I love my WA2 and with the WE421A, the Mullard Ecc32s and the Marconi U709s, this amp sounds so good it blows my mind and brings a smile to my face every time I listen.
Roll on my friends.......and rock too!