[jonathan c]

Those WE 396A/2C51 are awesome tubes. I used to use those exclusively on a few tube dacs** I've had in the past. How are they priced these days?

** MHDT Orchid etc?

 

[Slade01]

** MHDT Orchid etc?

Yeah. Lol. Exactly. Had the Paradisea+ and then the Orchid for awhile. MHDT isn't talked about much anymore, but they still make fantastic dacs.

 

[jonathan c]

I am really enjoying the WE 396A/2C51 in the WA2 with the other tubes. The music is more than open….IT IS….with the wondrous qualities of coherence, ease, occupancy of space……

 

[David222]

Going deeper down the WA2 hole in search of the rabbit ...

--> Rolling Funkwerk ECC81 1956 (Foil Getter) -- spectacular with both Aeolus & Auteur

 

[wolverine72]

So, I just purchased this great amp a week ago and posted an intro on the main WA2 thread of my experience so far... which has been great!
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/the-woo-audio-2.402215/page-112#post-17387174

I'd expected to immediately need to upgrade the tubes to even enjoy the amp honestly... but the stock tubes have sounded really good to me.

I'd spent a lot of time reading thru both WA2 threads and had some upgraded tubes in mind based upon everyone's opinions. Now I feel like I have some more time to learn more and decide what upgrades may be best for me.

So, I thought it'd ask for some feedback on what these stock tubes are and what kind of sound characteristics they may have.

For the power tubes I received 2 NOS Sylvania 6080's... but when I look at pictures around the internet, mine don't seem to have the same construction... the top section has 2 symmetrical foil sections which go about 1/4th of the way around . Therefore, I wonder if these tubes are re-labeled and actually from another brand (like RCA or Raytheon).

For the driver tubes I have 2 NOS Sylvania 6922's, one labeled Phillips JAN, the other Sylvania, but both with the same construction.

And for the rectifier tubes I have 2 New Electro-Harmonix 6CA4's.

Anybody have any insight on these tubes (especially the power tubes)? Thanks!

 

[shinjirurainbow]

Hi, I just got a used WA2, and it sounds great. The tubes used are Otk 6h13c, tungsram ez80, and 6h1n.

my setup is Cayin N6ii R01 > WA2 > verite Open.

what tube can give thicker and warmer sound but still strong bass.?

 

[AudioDuck]

Hi, I just got a used WA2, and it sounds great. The tubes used are Otk 6h13c, tungsram ez80, and 6h1n.

my setup is Cayin N6ii R01 > WA2 > verite Open.

what tube can give thicker and warmer sound but still strong bass.?

While I use 7236 power tubes, which are a little more “tight and fast/punchy” as opposed to “warm/blooming/thicker”, I understand 5998s are much more of the warm/thick type of sound. They are expensive, though, often costing $400-500 a pair.

I use Brimar CV455 (12AT7-type) input tubes with adapters, which add incredibly live-feel sound and are exceptionally quiet. I definitely recommend using 12AU7/AT7/AX7 adapters with the WA2. While 6922-family tubes are good, the adapters allow a step up in sound quality in my experience.

The RFT rectifier tubes I use also help- the foil getter versions are lovely.

 

[bpiotrow13]

Hi, I just got a used WA2, and it sounds great. The tubes used are Otk 6h13c, tungsram ez80, and 6h1n.

my setup is Cayin N6ii R01 > WA2 > verite Open.

what tube can give thicker and warmer sound but still strong bass.?

I would try changing rectifiers into already mentioned RFT first . In my setup it gave noticeable improvement for reasonable price. As for power tubes RCA6as7g are quite warm and moderately priced.

 

[exchez]

Hi, I just got a used WA2, and it sounds great. The tubes used are Otk 6h13c, tungsram ez80, and 6h1n.

my setup is Cayin N6ii R01 > WA2 > verite Open.

what tube can give thicker and warmer sound but still strong bass.?

Chatham 6080s have strong bass. Right now I have EI ez80, Tung-Sol 5998 and Amperex 2C51 (needs adaptor) which is giving me a very thick, but pleasant sound.

 

[billerb1]

Telefunken G73r's with adapters, GEC 6AS7G, Brimar EZ81. Game over. Tube rolling...distant memory.
Pay now...or just keep paying.

 

[Slade01]

I'm going to leave this out here in case any other (1st Gen-ish) WA2 user who uses EZ90/6x4 rectifier tubes comes looking around for information/recommendations.

A good rectifier … lifts veils and gives the bass a nice "bloom" for a very natural and "real" sound. You may not hear it now, but it just takes time, the right recording and the right tube for it all to become clear.

@exchez you were right on point with this.

SER (AB Svenska Elektron Rör) 6x4 Tubes (D Shaped Foil Getter/black plates). Made in Sweden. This is one of the first pair of tubes that really tilted the scales on my WA2 with bringing out a stronger fuller, more natural bass response, while maintaining the clarity of the rest of the spectrum. They are excellent and I'm finally beginning to see the wizardry behind the rectifiers with this pair. Thanks @jonathan c for recommending to me the tubesunlimited site where I got these. This was really a game changer for me in tube rolling the WA2. I still have yet to try the RFTs that many people here recommend - that's probably next on deck!

 

[jclyle]

Does the newer version of the WA2 without preamp use the same fuse as WA6SE 2nd gen? I’m pretty sure they do, but would like confirmation.

The WA2 manual hasn’t been updated in 10 years…

 

[jclyle]

I'll answer my own question. Yes! They do use the same fuse, and clip.

My WA6-SE 2nd Gen came with a Synergistic Research purple fuse. I also got a WA2 this week.
I put the purple fuse in the WA2. WOW! So much more clarity, but no loss of bloom. Bass is tighter, and more details at lower volume.

WA2 is running Raytheon 6080WC, RFT EZ81, and JJ Gold Pin 6922. Those tubes were used with the stock fuse and purple fuse for comparison.

 

[billerb1]

I replaced the stock fuse in my WA2 with the Audio Magic Masterpiece M-1 Beeswax Fuse and
the difference was like a component upgrade. Highly recommended.

https://highend-electronics.com/pro...iece-m-1-beeswax-fuse#shopify-product-reviews

 

[blackdragon87]

i am searching for some foil getters ez 81, pm if you know where i an find them

thanks