[Nic Rhodes]

In general really, it is the one tube I haven't really rolled yet in the WA2. I have have Mullard 81 atm becuase they were handy. I have Mullards 80s out to try also and had some RTF 81s dug out to try. I was curious what others use, will start rolling some next weekend.Choice is quite limited here for me to try on this one.
 

 

[Arcamera]

Subscribing. I've happily had the WA3 for a while now, but will be upgrading to the WA2 probably in a couple of months. Just trying the figure out the smoothest tube combo that is also still available/readily purchasable...

 

[Arcamera]

I recently picked up from Jack a Thomson 6AS7 for my WA3. It's replacing the stock RCA 6080 (which I still like). The Thomson in contrast seems faster, more detailed, but also a bit dry/analytic. Not quite what I was expecting, but still overall a positive change. The only thing I might be missing is a little more lushness/bass richness. Anyone else have experience with the Thomson tube? I'm still trying to figure out what I'm going to use (that I can get a hold of at a reasonable price) for the WA2...

 

[eleathar]

Hey guys, I rolled 2 sylvania 7236 on my WA2 and, while I really appreciate the increased dynamic response and the tighter bass, I miss some smoothness from the stock power tubes (Jan 6080wc), especially on the upper mid frequencies (I feel slightly too much emphasis on t and s)
Currently I have EH 6dj8 as driver and EH 6ca4 as rectifier tubes: can you suggest me any combination with 7236 that could give back that smoothness without loosing the faster sound?

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Hey guys, I rolled 2 sylvania 7236 on my WA2 and, while I really appreciate the increased dynamic response and the tighter bass, I miss some smoothness from the stock power tubes (Jan 6080wc), especially on the upper mid frequencies (I feel slightly too much emphasis on t and s)
Currently I have EH 6dj8 as driver and EH 6ca4 as rectifier tubes: can you suggest me any combination with 7236 that could give back that smoothness without loosing the faster sound?

Replace eh6dj8 with amperex 6dj8 bugle boy and 6ca4 with any ez80, they are smoother.

 

[eleathar]

Replace eh6dj8 with amperex 6dj8 bugle boy and 6ca4 with any ez80, they are smoother.

Ty DG.
Which tube should I take first? Which one has more impact on smoothness?

 

[Arcamera]

 can you suggest me any combination with 7236 that could give back that smoothness without loosing the faster sound?

 
I feel the same way about the Sylvania 7236. It has some excellent virtues, but it can be a bit aggressive or edgy on top. You might actually consider the French-made Thomson 6AS7. After a few hours it seems to smooth out on top-- a little softer than the 7236--yet pretty close in retaining the speed and detail of the Sylvania. It is in fact what Jack recommended to me as an alternative after I was saying the 7236 was a bit too aggressive, especially with the Senn HD800. So far at least, the Thomson/Senn combination is just getting better to my ears.
 
Some priorities for me though: not too expensive, and readily available. The Thomson fit the bill.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Ty DG.
Which tube should I take first? Which one has more impact on smoothness?

both, though the amperex are smoother, but i'm not sure how the EH would sound, i know the amperex are smooth and grain free. the EH could either be grainy and harsh, or muddy and not as refined. 
 
6CA4/EZ81  generally don't sound as good as EZ80. they are faster and more SS like, the EZ80 are more lush. the mullards and  brimars in particular. the RFT EZ80 which is my favorite is warm but neutral and balanced, a good combination. its the most balanced rectifier i've heard in WA2, transparent and smooth but not really colored and not really getting in the way of the music, or anything. grain free too. has more treble extension than the more lush sounding EZ80s, but its not bright. its just well balanced. the mullard EZ80s and some of the others tend to be tubier sounding and more laid back

 

[Dubstep Girl]

   
I feel the same way about the Sylvania 7236. It has some excellent virtues, but it can be a bit aggressive or edgy on top. You might actually consider the French-made Thomson 6AS7. After a few hours it seems to smooth out on top-- a little softer than the 7236--yet pretty close in retaining the speed and detail of the Sylvania. It is in fact what Jack recommended to me as an alternative after I was saying the 7236 was a bit too aggressive, especially with the Senn HD800. So far at least, the Thomson/Senn combination is just getting better to my ears.
 
Some priorities for me though: not too expensive, and readily available. The Thomson fit the bill.

i did not like sylvania 7236 with hd 800. lacked some resolution and was a little too forward.
 
the tung sol 7236 is much warmer and smoother than sylvania 7236, in fact, i don't like it cause its too lush for me. seemed to add too much color, though good if you want a more forgiving presentation from 7236. better overall than sylvania 7236,but may or may not be worth the extra cost.
 
the tung sol 5998 is nicer i think.

 

[Arcamera]

Thanks DG.
 
Could you recommend a good purchasing source for these tubes? Thanks.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

  Thanks DG.
 
Could you recommend a good purchasing source for these tubes? Thanks.

 
mr woo is the best source for 7236. for 5998, vacuumtubesinc.com was selling them as well as vacuumtubes.net, some reputable ebay sellers too.

 

[FYL941]

I just ordered a pair of the tung sol 5998 and I can't wait to try them out. I've been alternating from 6as7 and 7236 and I want to see what the 5998 brings to the table!

 

[Dubstep Girl]

the tung sol 5998 is my reference tube for the WA2! my favorite with beyerdynamik t1.

 

[ardilla]

TS 5998 is a great tube. Just got 6 more...

 

[Dubstep Girl]

5 pairs here, and a pair of we421a