WHY ARE TUBES SO EXPENSIVE!? Upgrading my WA7!

[@Smitty_Werbenjagermanjenson]

A tube is just a big, old-school transistor. There is an electrical grid (often many, actually) between the cathode and anode to control how much (if any) electrons reach the anode. The high voltage travels from cathode to anode, but this voltage flow is controlled by the much lower voltage grid, just like modern transistors. Loosely speaking, your volume control will control the grid aspect. Another fun fact - 12A_7 tubes are dual-triode devices, meaning they have two separate transistors in one housing.

[@pdcragin33]

TLDR: I’m plus one to the comment that these RAY tubes are a noticeable upgrade to the Xduoo TA-22 stock tubes. DETAILS: Josh, you put me on to the TA-22 and I’m thankful for that. My first tube experience of my own. However, what got me started was a visit to the Schittr last Xmas time, when I discovered that (surprise!) my ears actually could like the tube effect. While enjoying the TA-22, its designation as “balanced tube DAC/amp and preamp” coupled with its modest price

[@johnsoriano3812]

Wow! That's a dang good insight. Thank you for the context

[@KurtKloetentreter]

Thank you for your insight, I'm actually looking to get my hands on a ta22 too. People keep recommending me solid state amps because they perform better most cases, but I find myself adding warmth to basically everything I listen to via eq, so a tube/solid hybrid seemed like a good buy, speaking as someone who hasn't heard a tube amp before.

[@Saitama07]

Is it me or Joshua's voice just give all my audio devices a midbass boost of 100% ? 😂 Will have to make a separate eq profile for your videos.

[@JoshuaValour]

That’s the sm7b mic 😅

[@wtfgebeurdmij2991]

​@@JoshuaValour it sounds great, lush and smooth is my preference for microphones and headphones

[@thesonnytackettshow7949]

That's why the sm7 is one of the most used voice-over mics in the history of radio/tv/internet. It's also a studio staple, you can see many top artists using them in live videos too. Quality gear equals quality sound and video. Great video here!!

[@AntonioReyes-l7y]

​@@JoshuaValour review bose 301 v speakers. They are different from other speakers and better in some ways.

[@HiFiInsider]

3rd! the RCA Clear Top upgrade tubes provides a wider soundstage. With IEMs, anything more sensitive than 105db would hear some noise that's because at that sensitivity it doesn't need an amp to drive. lol....

[@tekneek1]

It's all about the amp circuit. Most full on tube amps will have a higher noise floor when pairing them with IEMs. The higher gain on tubes, like the 12AU7/12AX7/12XXX tubes, can amplify noise on the circuit or noise from a noisy tube. The mfg can add more chokes, resistors, etc...to lower the noise floor but at a cost. Most headphones have a lower sensitivity than IEMs so this is not a problem. You won't hear it unless it's a really bad circuit or a really noisy tube. As a note - I've heard noise from most tube amps when pairing with IEMs.

[@looyoo0-u6i]

Man’s out here making critically acclaimed visually impressive indie short films because wiggly air and I’m FOR IT

[@Consola260]

I think I'm in the minority, but I got the WA7 not because I was looking for something tubey/warm sounding, but because I liked how it looked and integrated with the rest of my desk setup. It looks great and is well-built, and I love how I can just switch from headphones to speakers by flipping a switch and control everything with just one big solid knob. I did think they were overpriced for what they did, but they were just the "perfect" solution - for me. (I guess from Woo Audio's perspective, the price isn't so bad when some of the cables they sell can cost hundreds of dollars.) So I did try to swap out the tubes with a different brand (I forgot which), and the sound output would pop and crackle horribly. I switched back to the stock tubes and the problem went away. Mike told me I should only use tubes which were calibrated for the WA7 and picked by Woo Audio... But this video makes me think there may yet be some interesting options out there.

[@One-Two_swift-kickbox]

Do you still have the WA7? How are you enjoying it now and what tubes have you tried?

[@Consola260]

@@One-Two_swift-kickbox I sure do and still love it! I had an issue with one of the ports, but Woo Audio took care of it under warranty. It's a workhorse and I have it connected to headphones (front balanced port), powered speakers (back 3.5mm port) and even a Nintendo Switch (RCA going to a separate DAC). I just flip a few switches and control everything with ease. Couldn't be happier. I did try the Ray tubes, but there was a QA issue and I had to return them. So I ended up buying the RCA Clear Top upgrade tubes while my WA7 was at the Woo Audio shop. I agree it has a wider soundstage, though at the cost of sounding a bit less warm. The differences aren't huge though. It is all very subtle as are most things in this game of high end audio.

[@icantwait]

Same. I bought it just for the look. I don't even usually use DAC's

[@MrStingraybernard]

Great thorough review ,enjoyed the scene changes also

[@crashn2me105]

I was born in 1961 in California and I remember going to the grocery store and they sold tubes for like 25 cents of course all TVs and some radios had tubes and they would go out. They sold tubes in stores and Radio Shack from the 60s into the late 70s, the price of tubes now seem insane and that the tubes you see now are made in Russia of all places.

[@lindholdt7550]

I don't know much about tubes, so this was informative, thank you very much. The production, though, is absolutely mind blowing! Amazing work 😮

[@brettjensen4760]

Really great video. I have a littledot tube amp an audible illusion tube amp and I find the search for tubes that will work complex. It was nice to go on this journey and hear your impressions.

[@BrianJoergens]

I like these tubes with the Xduoo TA-22

[@tdfmike3915]

Great video! I allready had my tube journey a few years ago. Now im using my little dot with custome tubes in a chain with another tube with analouge eq and a ss amp for the balanced connection. Im really happy with it sounds very tuby 😂

[@camoturtle18]

I see that HEDDphone 2 back there 👀

[@darylccc]

Sooo the biggest reason for expensive tubes right now is a little thing happening on the eastern border of the EU. The vast majority of tubes produced in the last 20-30 years were made in one of those countries in particular. There's also been a huge resurgence in tube amps / effects / equipment in the last 15-20 years in guitar amplification / mixing & mastering applications too. Those stock Electro-harmonix tubes for the WA-7 were standard in Electro-Harmonix tube pedals.

[@NamsStreams]

THE FUCKING PRODUCTION QUALITY GOD DAMN. Insaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaane.

[@rodm1949]

I know the feeling too well I did the socket converter on my WA3 from a 6922 to a 6SN7c from PSVANE - will never roll back, and gained everything you are looking for.

[@teddybeer6206]

A tube rolling video... SWEET! 😃

[@前田日明-w8u]

The best tube sounds much less than $5 DAC & AMP inside smartphone. But WA7 looks so great can't help love it.

[@GadZookz]

Thanks JV! It is a very tidy looking amp. 👍🏻

[@luigiheewan]

Dang, the thumbnail look absurdly good

[@B4sDr0id]

What a Gorgeous looking video, great editing. but as a very big noob on audio but still think i have a good ear for sound differences i would like to see a graph and or a sound comparison(i know youtube kills nuance) i have been following this channel for years and years i do trust your ear and that you can interpret and explain the difference but a graph makes it fact.

[@chungang7037]

The tube amp for people who don't really like tubes. I tried this with the 800s and while it sounded good I don't think this is really a tube amp. The change in sound is very very slight, with the stock tubes, so getting different tubes to clean up the sound even more seems pointless considering how much you are paying for this device. It might be really interesting to find tubes that made it even warmer than the stock tubes though.

[@Tj_1988]

I REALLY want this amp, but im wondering if its truly worth the price for the LCD-X and Sundara that I have, both really easy to drive.

[@kurvin2719]

are those the heddphone twos under your monitor?

[@efrainsandoval3883]

Is it normal to hear the noise floor when using something like ZMF Atriums or Meze Empyrean II? I don’t know if the humm/hiss is coming from the tubes or my home outlets are just noisy.

[@mortimersnerd1348]

Where does this WA7 stand sound wise compared to the XDUOO TA20 plus? I realize these are two different price points but still curious. Is the WA7 really $1K better sounding?

[@RobertZurowski]

How long before these tubes are broken in? And what is the best way to break-in these tubes?

[@SpyderTracks]

Josh, sorry if I’ve missed it but what are those tracks in the lead in and the outro, just stunning! Must have!

[@heltunikt]

I'm curious too. Feels very Blade Runner-esque.

[@abdulrahmanalaboudi8465]

Sorry as I’m deviating the from the subject of this video. I would appreciate anyone’s opinion (especially Joshua) on what to choose as my first hifi headphone (I should note that I watched a number of the channel videos, very informative). My budget could go up as far as 550$ (maybe 600$). I should also highlight that I’m unable to try headphones before hand, which would make this extremely easier. I’ve decided not to get the Hifiman Edition XS as I suspect that there would be a fit problem (small head). And decided not to get the Sundara as it’s argued to be bright by some users. I know it’s subjective but I don’t want to risk it. Although I listen to all kinds of music, I for the most part listen to Pink Floyd and the likes, which is the primary reason for getting an open back headphone. I just came to know the term “bright”. if I’m not mistaken, it means too much treble (new term as well), Which means too much details and crisp? At first I thought that this is a good thing, but then I remembered the audio-technica M50x that I got years ago which I believe fit the definition of bright, it wasn’t enjoyable at all. I hope I’m getting it wrong. Edit: based on my research, the original Ananda is the most suitable to me but unfortunately it’s been discontinued and is not available in my region.

[@carminedesanto6746]

Much like everything in this hobby..it’s all subjective. Yes, you can have defined and measurable performance criteria…but if you don’t like the sound ..it’s a dud. I took your advice on the LCDX 2021 Creator’s package..yup , Lokius to the “rescue “…tho given the unit variations from AUDEZE..I needed a bit more intervention to suit my tastes. Great video .😊

[@ion1q]

These are the same tubes that xDuoo uses for the TA 22. Or is there a difference between them?

[@ronnyp6934]

Them tubes should start to sound different after some burn in (50 hours) ..

[@hank9th]

To improve the iem experience, you could just grab an iFi iEMatch, right?

[@jonRock]

It looks like reservoir/pump PC water-cooling part lol.

[@SpiritowlTV]

I’d love to see your take on the Dyson Zone Airs.

[@jameskillbot2867]

Do u still have or ever use your thx 887 or 788 from monoprice?

[@chungang7037]

Wait, Woo audio does not sell replacement tubes?

[@philcibley1804]

That number (19 12) you couldn't identify was most likely a date code for manufacture. i.e. 12th week of 2019.

[@SohcSTi]

What headphones did you use to test? How do these tubes sound with the Diana V2?

[@heeku_]

would also like to know

[@andy_ppp]

Is that an anamorphic lens being used in the explainer bit? 😂👍🏻

[@cawlmehjed6175]

I once did a restoration on a 1957 Cadillac that involved replacing all the tubes in the original radio. I did not pay anywhere near $180 for ORIGINAL tubes. This is F-erey of the highest order. Magic plated space cables level of F-erey.

[@angelsanchez4109]

im waiting for you to discover the DHt tubes world (801a/10y/45/71/2a3/01a, 26,31, and from there, there is no come back Joshua... (10y + 45 headphone amp for example)... hope you get bored on the ultra clean but sadly soulless negative feedback amps. ;)

[@CHLBUTTERWORTH]

Why does it feel like you've been watching some GxAce videos, your B-roll and background music reminds me of his videos slightly

[@richlevin5596]

19 12 means made in 2019 12 month (December)

[@Reeeepicheep]

I'm a big believer in stock tubes. I trust the manufacturer whether it's Schiit, Feliks, or xDuoo, Woo Audio... Tube rolling has never made me go wow that's better from my limited experience. Though I've never tried a Sylvania Bad Boy tube or anything wildly expensive like that.

[@danel4353]

I have this amp. The headphone jack volume is very low, both the 4.4mm and 6.3. I have the amp volume on max and the computer volume on max and the sound is barely audible. Anyone have any ideas what is causing this?

[@One-Two_swift-kickbox]

What headphones you running?

[@Anti3D-0]

fancy distortion generator

[@s2030081]

New production tubes are not as good as NOS tubes for the similar price.

[@TheDotaYoda]

A 12AX7 will have more distortion than a 12AU7. Not sure what a 12AT7 would do.

[@arghadeepmisra7865]

6:56 Its actually a very bad practice to squiggle the tubes while pushing, few months later you're going to start having connection probelms.

[@Makaveli6103]

FYI you mispoke. Anode is negative and cathode is positive.

[@kennethoransky4881]

Those numbers are the year and month of manufacturing.

[@masterazlan6999]

Hmm.. They makes new tubes eventually. Sentimentals value sonically Thats wutz tubes is.. U only compare with 2 options: tubes & solid state.. Hm how bout R2R form factor?.. Perhaps e stat.. cuz firefly got e stat version also bro... Peace!

[@istrvankoto1135]

1300$ 2 much bro

[@dangerzone007]

Russian Tubes are the best

[@scottsalber1066]

Holy crap talk about going down a rabbit hole! You can go your whole life trying to find the perfect headphone, DAC/Amp, source, cables, etc etc! Instead of trying to find perfection which you could spend your whole life looking for and never find be happy with what you have. For me and the way I listen something wireless trumps any additional sound quality which isn’t that much to be honest if you just try and enjoy what you’re listening to and stop trying to analyze every second of every song.

[@byrondelavega9690]

First comment! :)

[@sebanambrus9265]

second comment :D

[@justsomepandawithinternet]

1+2 comment

[@thejabberwocky1488]

Comment.