Sorry to hear about your situation with the EML tubes, but I've been dying to read some feedback on the Cavalli LAu vs. the WA33, so I've got to ask your thoughts on them.
I own an original LAu as well and I've lost Ng eyed the WA33, but haven't made the leap yet, so I'd appreciate hearing your impressions.
The SQ of the two amps are not dissimilar to my ears. The Lau is the best SS amp I have ever heard and I feel very lucky to own it. The WA33 has a richness to its sound that the Lau cannot quite match. However one enters the realm of diminishing turns. The WA33 is not anywhere close to being 4x better than the Lau(I have the Elite Edition. With that being said I must confess I rarely listen to the Lau. In fact I listened more to the WA5 I had before the WA33. Something about the upscale Woo sound fits my ears. The WA33 does present some challenges.
1) Some of them hum. Mine does. With my ZMF VO(300 Ohm)(now sold) the hum was audible with no input and between tracks. The hum seemed to become less audible the longer I listened but I don't know whether it was my brain becoming accustomed to the noise or it fades as used. With my LCD-4(200 Ohm) there is no noise audible through the headphones.
2) With all Woo products and from my readings on this Forum to obtain the best performance out of any tube amp one must upgrade from the stock tubes. With an amp such as the WA33 that is an expensive proposition. I have spent $5-6K on upgrade tubes. Also tubes go bad. So far I have had two EML 300B 2.5V tubes go bad which I am now at 5 months awaiting replacement.
DO NOT PURCHASE EML PRODUCTS. I also lost a Takatsuki 274B at 13 months on a 12 month warranty with no give or take. That's the price of using vacuum tubes.
3) If you want only the best SQ you have to wait for it. I generally let the WA33 warm up a minimum of 15-20 minutes before I start listening. Still I can detect SQ
changes for the next 20-30 minutes. That is one reason I still have the Lau. If I have a limited time to listen or just want to check out a couple new tracks I flip on the Lau and once it goes through it's safety checks to my ears it sounds pretty much as good as it is going to sound. Very little change.
4) The WA33 is a furnace. If listened for more than an album's worth of music it will get hot enough that putting a hand on is very uncomfortable. It can noticeably affect the temperature of the listening area especially considering most people are listening within 5-6 feet. Also one needs to make sure you have a serviceable area to set up the WA33. The EE weighs in at 56 lbs. I had to purchase a new rack to set it on as my glass shelved rack would not carry that weight.
If it sounds like I am attempting to discourage you I am not. I love a warm signature and that is why I got the Lau. At one time I also owned a Liquid Carbon a great small amp. Before he shut the business down I corresponded several times with Dr. Cavalli and found him to be most accommodating and friendly. I will keep the Lau until someone throws a boatful of money at me or they cart me off to the Home.
I will also keep the WA33 too because of its warm and precise sound signature. It fits my listening needs just as the LCD-4 has the signature I like
(COME ON AUDEZE WHERE IS TH LCD-5). I am now using the WA33 as a preamp when I do listen to the Lau and it sounds better than using the splitters. Another vote in favor of the WA33. I hope this helps and does not discourage you. Good Luck