[Flisker]

Alright, new listing popped up on eBay.

Tung-Sol 5998, NOS, Matched, at least it says so, very nice seller with good feedback, so I pulled the trigger. Hope the tubes are really NOS and will last long.

325$

 

[maxnak4]

What power tubes are you guys running that aren't 5998s? As much as I'd love to spend $500 on a wear item, well, I wouldn't. So far I've tried RCA 6as7g (my favorite, but after trying 5 pairs I still haven't found any that don't hum), GE 6080, Svetlana 6n5p, and have some Mullard 6080s on the way.

 

[BIG POPPA]

6as7 Variant, Tungsol 5998A's rock very nicely, Mullards are good, Look up GEC A1834, holy grail best of the best then Bendix 6080W

 

[StanT]

I'm using GEC A1834s, very nice: but pricey. 5998s would be my second choice, followed by Tung-Sol 7236s. The 7236s are almost reasonable.

Didn't care much for the Bendix 6080, lot's of bass; but flabby to my ear. Different strokes and all.

 

[maxnak4]

Those are all crazy expensive or unavailable from what I've seen

 

[MIKELAP]

Those are all crazy expensive or unavailable from what I've seen

Pricing sure changed alot since i bought a couple pairs 5 years ago

 

[billerb1]

I'm using GEC A1834s, very nice: but pricey. 5998s would be my second choice, followed by Tung-Sol 7236s. The 7236s are almost reasonable.

Didn't care much for the Bendix 6080, lot's of bass; but flabby to my ear. Different strokes and all.

My thoughts exactly. Presently using the GEC 6AS7G's and would never consider switching. They are so PURE in the WA2. Started though with the TS 5998's and then switched to the TS 7236's. Actually preferred the 7236's...and as StanT said, the 7236's are still affordable.

 

[Bonddam]

I'm not liking the bass on 5998, tubes I enjoy are 6h13c and 6as7g.

 

[hodgjy]

Sort of a random question for you tube rollers. A while back, I ordered a pack or randomly assorted EZ80 rectifiers. The company had a great price under "assorted brands." I didn't know what I would receive until I got them.

Anyway, I reveived a NOS Miniwatt Made in Brazil EZ80. Does anyone have experience with this? How does it sound? Yes, I know I can try it myself, stupid, but I don't want to waste my time burning it in if it's a dud to begin with.

 

[Bonddam]

If it sounds like crap then maybe it will sound less crappy with burn in. Got a bunch of 6080 that suck I don’t think burn in will make them change when I have tubes that sound great fresh.

 

[Bonddam]

I don't like the 5998 with this amp too gooey. I'm using 6H13C and it's got the dynamics bass punch. 5998 really good on the Euforia but not the old WA2. Maybe the new one is different as they upgraded the circuit after removing the pre amp. So far 6H13C and 6as7g are my favorites.

 

[exchez]

I have a couple sets of Brimar EZ80s. One branded by GE has the date code: 5C? / 236? (? = illegible) and the other set branded as Brimar has date code: 5C4 / 1802. Both sets' internals look identical and have square getters. The Brimar branded tube sounds much more pleasing to me in the WA2 and I think it's because it's from the 1950's production. The one resource I can find online doesn't have date codes for the EZ80. Can anyone confirm that the 1802 is from the 1950s production and the 236? is from the 1960s or 70s?

 

[billyleungkt]

Hi guys,

I'm deciding to get a OTL amp for my HS800S and upcoming ZMF verite open. I'm deciding a used WA3 or new WA2 (since they have free international shipping). What makes the WA2 over WA3? There are 6 tubes. The tube rolling cost is going to be high. What do you suggest the 1st pair of tubes to roll that is most noticeable in SQ? Thanks!

 

[jonathan c]

Hi guys,

I'm deciding to get a OTL amp for my HS800S and upcoming ZMF verite open. I'm deciding a used WA3 or new WA2 (since they have free international shipping). What makes the WA2 over WA3? There are 6 tubes. The tube rolling cost is going to be high. What do you suggest the 1st pair of tubes to roll that is most noticeable in SQ? Thanks!

~ Good thinking on OTL! The WA3 being discontinued will be tough to find. The WA3 uses a 6080 power tube and two 6922 driver tubes. You can use 12A#7 tubes with adapters instead as the driver tubes. The WA2 has a rectifier tube EZ80 (or EZ81), power tube 6080, and driver tube 6922 for each channel. Michael Liang at Woo Audio has described the WA2 as “two WA3s on one chassis”.
~ The cost of tube rolling can be moderated by a little research and effort. For example, NIB (new in box) rectifier tubes from RFT can be found for $15 each. NIB driver tubes can be found from RFT or from Tungsram at $15 each or $25 each. These driver tubes will require adapters (12A## -> ECC88): anywhere from $15 to $28 each. The 6080 (or equivalent) power tubes can be expensive: Tung Sol 5998s are a case in point. RCA or Sylvania 6AS7Gs will definitely bring down the cost and offer a different sonic ‘flavour’ which you may or may not like.
~ I have owned a WA3 and currently own a WA2. I did own both for five months. Sonically, the WA2 and WA3 clearly are from the same ‘family’. To my ears, the WA2 has greater ‘heft’ or ‘force of delivery’ than does the WA3 at a given volume level. The dynamic range offered by the WA2 is wider. Possibly because of the tube rectification, the bass quality and extension from the WA2 is higher and deeper. In all, the WA3 is wonderful and enjoyable. The WA2 is more so. [$ = USD]

 

[jonathan c]

To @billyleungkt: The synergy between the WA2 and the ZMF Verite Open should be astounding. My favourite h/p/a -> h/p coupling is WA2 and ZMF Auteur .