[Arcamera]

Just wondering peoples' thoughts on the 6080 vs. 7236. So far I find the 6080 to be a little smoother, but more restrained/polite-- not as dynamic or detailed as the 7236. Generally, I prefer a more mellow sound like the 6080, but not always. (I'm currently comparing the RCA 6080 against the Tung Sol 7236 in my still fairly new WA22).

 

[Badas]

Just wondering peoples' thoughts on the 6080 vs. 7236. So far I find the 6080 to be a little smoother, but more restrained/polite-- not as dynamic or detailed as the 7236. Generally, I prefer a more mellow sound like the 6080, but not always. (I'm currently comparing the RCA 6080 against the Tung Sol 7236 in my still fairly new WA22).

My thoughts are basically identical. I thought the 7236 was overrated.

 

[jermaink]

Any thoughts on the 5998 in comparison? It's often talked about as 'in-between' those 2.

 

[leftside]

5998's are great. Also consider these:
http://www.head-fi.org/t/806043/for-6bl7-tube-users

 

[abvolt]

the 5998's are my favorites of the two..

 

[jermaink]

As in, you prefer the 5998's over the 6BL7's?
 
Also is it just me or do WA22 owners seem to notice more differences from their power & driver tubes compared to the rectifier tube?

 

[Arcamera]

Can anyone point me in the direction of where to get some 5998's? (I'm a tube rolling newbie). Thanks.

 

[ghhf]

As in, you prefer the 5998's over the 6BL7's?

Also is it just me or do WA22 owners seem to notice more differences from their power & driver tubes compared to the rectifier tube?

I have not tried the 6BL7，had run 6080，6SA7G，5998，421A and 7236 power tubes，combo with some various signal and rectifier tubes. I would give a ratio in 5:3:2 for the effect between power:rectifier:signal on WA22，but YMMV.

 

[Krutsch]

My thoughts are basically identical. I thought the 7236 was overrated.

Honestly, I find the Sylvania 7236 to be a very underated all around performer in my WA3. Not my favorite power tube, but a great price/performer.

 

[Krutsch]

  Any thoughts on the 5998 in comparison? It's often talked about as 'in-between' those 2.

I'm using a WA3, but my ranking on power tubes:
 
1) Western Electric 421A "Bottom D-getter"
 
2) GEC 6AS7g "Brown Base"
 
3) Tung-Sol 6520 (a premium spec'd 5998, If I recall correctly; but it sounds really nice)
 
4) Tung Sol 5998
 
5) Tung Sol or Sylvania 7236 (haven't really done a lengthy listening comparison, but they are both good tubes - fast sound)

 

[ghhf]

  Just a reminder to all you guys an interesting find on eBay, WA5 in 300B Mono-block pairs. I sincerely hope the AMPs to be enjoyed by someone who will appreciate them! Help with a push, check ]this offer at ebay if interested.
 

 
Just noted that the AMPS were sold, wonder if any you guy here got the deal

 

[LajostheHun]

ouch!


http://www.stereophile.com/content/woo-audio-wa5-integrated-amplifierheadphone-amplifier-measurements#vTTAZ8XMkmU8WJec.97

 

[leftside]

Ouch. But does anyone actually use these for driving speakers? That review confirms my suspicion that a dedicated "proper" amp would be much better. The gradings for headphone use were ok though.

 

[Seamaster]

ouch!


http://www.stereophile.com/content/woo-audio-wa5-integrated-amplifierheadphone-amplifier-measurements#vTTAZ8XMkmU8WJec.97

The truth......I sold my WA22 6 years ago.

 

[phase0]

  Ouch. But does anyone actually use these for driving speakers? That review confirms my suspicion that a dedicated "proper" amp would be much better. The gradings for headphone use were ok though.

 
Outside of the speaker measurements it seems like it did pretty well and he said in the light of the SET design it did quite well. Past the measurements if you read the review I took it as glowing praise. I still don't have any plans to sell mine. Sounds great to me and on the odd occasion I hook it up to my speakers I think it does a great job. At least I enjoy what I hear.
 
Quote [Stereophile]:

 Also . . . I've just checked J. Gordon Holt's Sounds Like? An Audio Glossary," and he doesn't define transcendent; the Woo makes a strong case for its addition: transcendent is the word that best describes the WA5's succinct, intimate, nonmechanical handling of music, as an amplifier for loudspeakers or headphones.
...
The Woo couldn't match the vivid, hypertextured midrange of either of those amps, but in turn, neither of them could match the Woo's almost incomparable liquidity.

 
I wonder if what he's describing as liquidity is what I was kind of thinking as smooth or something like that.