How are you liking the 422A? I'm more and more impressed each day with the WE 724BRectifier tube rolling:
Western Electric 422A (gray plate 1953)
Got this legendary rectiifer today and spending my first few hours with it. It is definitely distinct and provides a different sound profile compared to the GZ34 I've had there for the past few months. My initial impressions:
Philips Miniwatt GZ34 (brown base Sittard factory 1968)
- Extended lower bass - there is a notable bit of extra extension and resolution at the very lowest reaches of the FR
- More rounded/sweet/warm sound - neither a plus nor a minus, more of an overall feel of the notes be rounded off; it can be called sweetness, but it's also a bit of the opposite of air; presentation remains very holographic, but timbre is perhaps a bit more saccharine
This is my reference point. In comparison, the GZ34 feels more open and resolving in the mids, with a bit more air and openness. They have great bass, but not that extra depth of the 422A. They present a more neutral timbre compared to the 422A warmer presenation.
This presents a great opportunity to roll to mood, overall preference, or depending on the rest of your chain. My impressions will likely also evolve, but sharing my intital take after a few hours of comparison (I'm still using the Tung-Sol 5687 and RCA 6BQ7A when testing the above).
Next - I plan to try the 422A in the Taboo (with the OTL as pre-amp)..
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Decware // Reference ZMF OTL
- Thread starter goldwerger
- Start date
How are you liking the 422A? I'm more and more impressed each day with the WE 724B
It's not for me.. too rounded off... I am back with the GZ34, which I like best so far.
I haven't tried the 274B, and heard great things. I hope to test that one day soon!