Desperate tube noob needs tube recommendations - please help

Discussion in 'Advice Threads' started by mk351e, Feb 9, 2021.

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  1. mk351e

    mk351e New

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    Yes I know it reads like an online dating ad; I'm practicing :)

    After 27 years in the audio hobby, I finally got my hands on a couple of tube amps and discovered I like them a lot! I'm keeping a Woo WA22 2nd gen because it's the one I like the most for many reasons, though I know not everyone loves this amp. No matter how much reading I seem to do, I just cannot wrap my head around tubes; they confuse the ever living schiit out of me! At this point, after what seems like an eternity of reading posts on here and headfi, I give up and I'm asking for help!

    I don't hear anything wrong with the stock tubes, but people say they suck, so I'll just concede and replace them. I listen to rock music almost exclusively, and currently using Sennheiser HD820, but probably switching to Fostex TH900 very soon. I'm looking for a set of 5 tubes I guess, I really want to keep it around $500 for the set, tubes must be new (not interested in used tubes). I want tubes that sound detailed, airy, musical, warm, and hit as hard as possible - no polite nonsense here! ALSO, and I KNOW how ridiculous this sounds, I want tubes that look cool too! The stock tubes barely even glow when they're on, I want a F'n light show if possible! And yes, I know I should plug in my beats headphones and bose speakers and some LED bulbs, I know. Just help me out here, please; what tubes to I buy for this thing? :)
     
  2. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

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  3. mk351e

    mk351e New

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    Yes, I know, I've already read that post. As I stated, I like and am keeping the WA22. I am looking for tube recommendations for this amp. Also as stated, I am using the HD820, and likely switching to the TH900.
     
  4. Gazny

    Gazny MOT: ETA Audio

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  5. Case

    Case Anxious Head (Formerly Wilson)

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  6. mk351e

    mk351e New

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    Wow you guys are a tremendous help. Thank you both! I'm going to head over to ASR right now and order one of those exploding Topping amps! They have serious glow potential!
     
  7. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    There is also a tube thread as well. I think Gazny is trying to point out that we generally don't start a new thread for topics like this.

    The glow is nice to look at but I think the answers you'll get on this forum only apply to the sound characteristics. Never tried a WA22, I did have an amp that took the same power tubes. NOS Tung Sol 5998's tend to be recommended due to their continued availability and they match a lot of what you're requesting (airy & detailed). "Musical" is too subjective to try and match. You may also like the Tung Sol Chatham 6080 power tubes which I found more bass heavy and possibly more slam than the 5998's. Tube experimentation gets expensive and the improvements tend to be incremental. If you want to save a hassle and be done with it, just get the 5998's. As for the drivers and rectifier, I haven't heard enough varieties of those types to have a useful recommendation.
     
  8. loadexfa

    loadexfa MOT: rhythmdevils audio

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    And don't buy the 5998's from Woo, that's way overpriced. You can find them for around $300+ a pair for NOS.
     
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