[Ciggavelli]

I was tempted about those new tubes and adapters, so I pulled the trigger. I’m a bit skeptical, but we shall see. If it results in a better wa33 though, that a win

 

[GPD1]

I was tempted about those new tubes and adapters, so I pulled the trigger. I’m a bit skeptical, but we shall see. If it results in a better wa33 though, that a win

Thinking about also purchasing so please post thoughts once you have had a listen

 

[joseph69]

Received the WE 417A/5842 drivers today...and the burn in begins.
PS: These adapter are solidly built with quite some weight to them

 

[pippen99]

Received my adapters today and installed the WE 417a tubes. Just a short listen but I hear a greater precision and control to the presentation. That is especially noted in the upper end where I thought the EH was a little loose and let a little glare peek through. Now to get the KRs and should be back up to optimal sound.

 

[Drewligarchy]

Received my adapters today and installed the WE 417a tubes. Just a short listen but I hear a greater precision and control to the presentation. That is especially noted in the upper end where I thought the EH was a little loose and let a little glare peek through. Now to get the KRs and should be back up to optimal sound.

KRs and the WE417as are a great match

 

[joseph69]

KRs and the WE417as are a great match

The KR 2A3 & KR 274B will be my next purchases for my WA33.

Received my adapters today and installed the WE 417a tubes.

Did you purchase the adapters from Woo and source the 417A tubes elsewhere?

 

[pippen99]

The KR 2A3 & KR 274B will be my next purchases for my WA33.


Did you purchase the adapters from Woo and source the 417A tubes elsewhere?

The 417a were near NOS from a reliable Ebay seller. The adapters came from @Deyan who is the go to guy on the @2359glenn thread. His classified ad is here https://www.head-fi.org/classifieds/custom-tube-socket-adapters.11214/.

 

[Drewligarchy]

Yeah sad to hear that.
Sometimes small companies go the extra mile but stop when they become bigger.

I used to have a used Rockna Wavelight in silver. Bought it for 2500€.
After I managed to get all other components in black it started bothering me, so I reached out to my Dealer.
The plan was to send my unit to Rockna and they put the internals into a black chassis, charge 400€ and send it back to me.

In reality I sent my unit in and they just shipped a completely new black Wavelight to me. No new invoice, no extended warranty, but a completely new Wavelight.
Sure black is the other Standard color but it was still nice to get this treatment.
Including shipping I basically paid 3000€ for a brand new Wavelight. And ever since then my setup is classy Black from head to toe.

Even my Elite is an all black special edition.

I didn't take it as just a size thing, but rather, a branding thing (at least that's what he said). Naim, I believe, only sells in black. Auralic was going for the same - and now that they have 30 different boxes you can buy - they didn't want a silver one out in the wild to where a picture could end up on the internet and they would have a bunch of requests. That's why I think it's actually a cost thing: that much cheaper to only have to make one color chassis - especially when multiple components you make fit in that chassis. It's a shame, because I like everything about that component - except the color - but something that big would stick out like a sore thumb. I ordered an Enleum 23r which only comes in black (didn't receive yet), and figure, stacked on my mScaler, it won't ruin the look because it's tiny. Maybe I'll do a full silver rack and a full black rack - as I'm running out of space

 

[Drewligarchy]

I was tempted about those new tubes and adapters, so I pulled the trigger. I’m a bit skeptical, but we shall see. If it results in a better wa33 though, that a win

Cig - if you like the Tak with the KR tubes, I think you'll like what the WE417as do to the sound If I had to summarize, you'll get more clarity and sound stage depth/width.

 

[Drewligarchy]

Tube question: Before initially upgrading my tubes on my original Wa33, I read elsewhere (and not specific to the Wa33) that the rectifier makes no/little difference as it's not in the signal path. Now it may be amp dependent, but - at least with the Wa33 - I don't find that to be the case. I've tried the stock 5u4g, one of Joseph's NOS rectifier's (I'm forgetting which one), The USAF 596, the Tak 274B, and the KR 274B. I find the differences to the sound are rather dramatic. In other words, while I haven't tried it - I am sure I could pick out certain rectifiers blind, compared to others. Some would be hard like the USAF vs the Tak - because they do similar things. But if I'm comparing either of those to the KR or stock, I could pick it out.

Read something about the amount of voltage / B+ the rectifier provides - and voltage sag. Does anyone have a high-level understanding of what the rectifier does and why it can sound so different?

 

[JLoud]

I’ve read the same thing about rectifiers not making a difference. But just like you I can definitely hear a difference.

 

[QuantumKat]

I'm sitting in agony looking at the price difference between the SE and EE. I wanted someone to say the SE is fine enough, but here we are with the EE is a different level...

Does the JPS wiring really take it even further with the EE or can I shave off some price there?

 

[ThanatosVI]

I'm sitting in agony looking at the price difference between the SE and EE. I wanted someone to say the SE is fine enough, but here we are with the EE is a different level...

Does the JPS wiring really take it even further with the EE or can I shave off some price there?

Well the SE is certainly fine enough and one of the very best available amplifiers.

It's just thst the EE for a noteable price increase can still improve further

 

[QuantumKat]

Well the SE is certainly fine enough and one of the very best available amplifiers.

It's just thst the EE for a noteable price increase can still improve further

Any thoughts on EE JPS vs. non-JPS. I've always been highly skeptical of wires and cables adding much. Always feels like snake oil to me. Maybe I'm wrong...

 

[Drewligarchy]

Any thoughts on EE JPS vs. non-JPS. I've always been highly skeptical of wires and cables adding much. Always feels like snake oil to me. Maybe I'm wrong...

I think cables do make a difference, but the "regular" EE still uses single crystal copper throughout. For me, it's more of a tuning thing than anything else - and that's where I'd imagine the JPS-EE vs non-JPS EE to be different. That said, I haven't listened to the JPS EE, but have the EE and had the SE.

Maybe ask Woo their thoughts on the different signatures.