[ColSaulTigh]

I don't have a WA33, but in my WA6-SE's and my WA5-LE's the rectifiers make a big difference. The Sophia Princess 274B is a nice, big, bold sounding rectifier, albeit a bit bloomy and rich. The standard KR-Audio 274B is (IMO) anemic. It lacks any strength and suffers from tube fade. The Takatsuki is a great rectifier, nice and strong, adding a certain sweetness to the sound.

Having said that, I'm currently running Elrog 5U4G's in my WA5-LE and they're the best rectifiers (and 300B's) I've ever heard. Period, full stop.

YMMV

 

[paradoxper]

I don't have a WA33, but in my WA6-SE's and my WA5-LE's the rectifiers make a big difference. The Sophia Princess 274B is a nice, big, bold sounding rectifier, albeit a bit bloomy and rich. The standard KR-Audio 274B is (IMO) anemic. It lacks any strength and suffers from tube fade. The Takatsuki is a great rectifier, nice and strong, adding a certain sweetness to the sound.

Having said that, I'm currently running Elrog 5U4G's in my WA5-LE and they're the best rectifiers (and 300B's) I've ever heard. Period, full stop.

YMMV

Ah, the Elrogospel spreading far and wide.

 

[musicman59]

Did they fix their durability issues?
I went that way when I had my WA5-LE and it was a painful experience….

 

[ColSaulTigh]

Did they fix their durability issues?
I went that way when I had my WA5-LE and it was a painful experience….

It appears so, yes. New owners, new manufacturing QC in place. If you do go that route (which I highly recommend), get the 5U4G and not the 274B.

 

[DJJEZ]

It appears so, yes. New owners, new manufacturing QC in place. If you do go that route (which I highly recommend), get the 5U4G and not the 274B.

How come you don't recommend the elrog 274b?

 

[ColSaulTigh]

How come you don't recommend the elrog 274b?

I tried a pair, they did not play well with the WA5-LE. Has to do with the plate voltage (I think, I'm not an expert). The Elrog 274B is not fully compatible. Hopefully someone with more technical knowledge can explain it better than I can.

 

[joseph69]

It appears so, yes. New owners, new manufacturing QC in place. If you do go that route get the 5U4G (which I highly recommend),

I tried a pair, they did not play well with the WA5-LE. Has to do with the plate voltage (I think, I'm not an expert). The Elrog 274B is not fully compatible. Hopefully someone with more technical knowledge can explain it better than I can. get the 5U4G and not the 274B.

You can't really "recommend" the 5U4G over the 274B (or either) because you're using them in a totally different amplifier so the results will differ.

 

[ColSaulTigh]

You can't really "recommend" the 5U4G over the 274B (or either) because you're using them in a totally different amplifier so the results will differ.

Fair point.

 

[deutscherhififan]

Changing the topic slightly..... I have searched this thread and not found an answer, so I think it is ok to ask . 20 years ago Jack Woo built me a custom WA2 with remote volume. I was an idiot and sold it, but am playing with the idea of using a WA33 as a preamp (70% of use) and headphone amp (30% of use). However, without remote volume it would be a pain and hence I was wondering if anybody here has inquired with Woo Audio regarding the possibility of remote volume. I own a Woo Audio WA22 and am currently using it as a preamp and believe it sounds fabulous. So, the thought is the WA33 would be even better in that regard, but remote volume is a deal breaker for me. Maybe Woo has grown so much that they don't accommodate such requests anymore. To be honest, Jack was not fired about it way back then, but he still did it and it worked great without any negative impact on sound quality. The audiophile mind never stops wandering and wondering....

 

[Roasty]

Changing the topic slightly..... I have searched this thread and not found an answer, so I think it is ok to ask . 20 years ago Jack Woo built me a custom WA2 with remote volume. I was an idiot and sold it, but am playing with the idea of using a WA33 as a preamp (70% of use) and headphone amp (30% of use). However, without remote volume it would be a pain and hence I was wondering if anybody here has inquired with Woo Audio regarding the possibility of remote volume. I own a Woo Audio WA22 and am currently using it as a preamp and believe it sounds fabulous. So, the thought is the WA33 would be even better in that regard, but remote volume is a deal breaker for me. Maybe Woo has grown so much that they don't accommodate such requests anymore. To be honest, Jack was not fired about it way back then, but he still did it and it worked great without any negative impact on sound quality. The audiophile mind never stops wandering and wondering....

If you're going to use it as a preamp most of the time, how about just getting a dedicated tube preamp with remote, and using your wa22 for headphones or even an additional headamp to complement eg a nice SS one? would probably add up to a similar amount, or even less.

 

[Darkliner]

Changing the topic slightly..... I have searched this thread and not found an answer, so I think it is ok to ask . 20 years ago Jack Woo built me a custom WA2 with remote volume. I was an idiot and sold it, but am playing with the idea of using a WA33 as a preamp (70% of use) and headphone amp (30% of use). However, without remote volume it would be a pain and hence I was wondering if anybody here has inquired with Woo Audio regarding the possibility of remote volume. I own a Woo Audio WA22 and am currently using it as a preamp and believe it sounds fabulous. So, the thought is the WA33 would be even better in that regard, but remote volume is a deal breaker for me. Maybe Woo has grown so much that they don't accommodate such requests anymore. To be honest, Jack was not fired about it way back then, but he still did it and it worked great without any negative impact on sound quality. The audiophile mind never stops wandering and wondering....

I think its best to ask Woo Audio directly.

 

[deutscherhififan]

If you're going to use it as a preamp most of the time, how about just getting a dedicated tube preamp with remote, and using your wa22 for headphones or even an additional headamp to complement eg a nice SS one? would probably add up to a similar amount, or even less.

Thanks. I have an amazing two box Supratek Grange preamp plus the WA22, that's three boxes. I was thinking of ways to reduce box count without loss of fidelity through headphones or speakers. Price-wise it would be comparable. I will ask Woo, see what they say.

 

[musicinmymind]

How well WA33 drive speakers?
output is rated at 10 watt @32 ohms, how to equate @6 ohms .

my Harbeth C7ES-3 XD has Impedance @6 ohms and easy to drive

 

[ThanatosVI]

How well WA33 drive speakers?
output is rated at 10 watt @32 ohms, how to equate @6 ohms .

my Harbeth C7ES-3 XD has Impedance @6 ohms and easy to drive

At 86db sensitivity the Wa33 should be able to drive them with ease.

@HiFiGuy528 can you confirm this?

 

[ToMa TomA]

Does anyone have an opinion on what would be the more worthwhile purchase if you already own a wa33 and susvara headphones:

Adding the ahb2 amp so you can experience a SS amp and also using the wa33 as a pre or purchasing the abyss 1266 headphones to use with the wa33 alone?