That time again. This time out we have an actual factual competition where either amp could stay and I'd be happy but one needs to go so... lets get on with it.
The WA22 continued to impress in the face of yet another top tier competitor. Its natural, dynamic character with its laser precise imaging and great body with complete instrument texture works in most genres and is an easy go to recommendation.
Like I said above, this time out the differences are a lot less obvious and where the B22 really shines, put a spotlight on where the WA22 doesn't. Big disclaimer... in comparison to each other, not global. Both have great attack and drive. The WA22 does have the greater of the two with a slight emphasis on those regions projecting attack farther out than the more natural B22 attack. Tonal balance is similar with the WA22 having more mid bass and upper treble, the B22 more sub-bass and if you can imagine a ruler flat response that is however sloped down towards the treble. Not terribly so but enough to notice. Not surprisingly neither amp comes off as bright unless the recording is truly foobar. The extra body on the WA22 does give it the edge for emotional engagement. The B22 is only modestly warm so while engaging, its not likely to be a tear jerker.
Where the B22 edged out the WA22 was in overall speed as heard in decay and staging. Where both are laser precise, in comparison to the B22, the WA22 could be described as three blob staging. An exaggeration but you get the point. The big benefit for this difference is in busy genres where on lesser systems it can come off as a wall of sound. The B22's combination of better spacing front to back, left to right and quicker decay add up to breaking up the wall. I would not describe the WA22 as an amp that suffers from wall of sound but in comparison the B22 better defines the wall.
The other thing I want to point out... the B22 is the only amp with solid state sections in the comparisons to reproduce the entire instrument like the WA22 and Trafo do. Its also freaking huge!
So there it is gents. This round of amp comparisons ends with the B22 on top, my tube itch scratched and a lot of preconceptions squashed. Hoping not too soon but I will likely be getting a RWA Corvina balanced and Schiit Mjolnir sooner than later to run against the B22.
The gents who have been pounding my PMs for first crack at the WA22, check your PMs in a bit