About CryoTone™ Tubes
Wathen Audiophile’s CryoTone™ tubes were created to be the best tubes available. Our passion for innovative, artful products that exhibit consistent quality makes CryoTone™ tubes a must for anyone that strives for beautiful articulate tone. We only accept tubes that meet our strict specifications and we supply with each individually serialized tube, its own laboratory test report for Transconductance, Noise, Gain and individually analyzed for Microphonics and Sound. It is this commitment to consistent quality and the ability to match specific values that separate our select tubes from all competition. In addition we use a proprietary cryogenic treatment process that has taken into account the types of materials used in these select tubes.
What is Cryogenics?
Cryogenics is the study of how to get to low temperatures and of how materials behave when they get there. The field of cryogenics advanced during World War II when scientists found that metals frozen to low temperatures showed more resistance to wear. Many of the early discoveries were more fully explored by NASA engineers who were trying to understand what would happen to metals when subjected to the extreme temperatures of space.
What does it do?
Cryogenic treatment modifies the molecular structure in critical electronic components by reducing or eliminating voids and imperfections in the material. The process relieves stresses and normalizes (or stabilizes) welded and soldered areas. The changes caused by Wathen’s extreme cryogenic process produces tubes that compete or surpass even the most sought-after antique tubes.
Why do I care?
Stock audio components contain internal stresses that degrade sonic performance. Not only is the raw stock subject to residual stresses from fabrication, but additional steps in the manufacturing process produce added stress lines. Wathen CryoTone™ tubes are a must for the critical listener and musicians that want more life and character from their gear.
How is Wathen CryoTone™ different?
Wathen utilizes a cryogenic treatment process that is specifically designed to maximize
all aspects of the sonic performance in audio tubes. Developed in conjunction with the actual OEM providers, the Wathen CryoTone™proprietary formula of select tube parameters and what many would say is extreme cryogenic treatment is the result of extensive experimentation and testing. With our goal to produce the best sounding audio equipment with true innovation, it was only natural that we would take a long hard look at the wonderful audio tube. The transistor has never matched the sweet organic sound of the tube. We’ve just put considerable distance between the two.
The benefits of Wathen CryoTone™:
- Expanded dynamic range
- Smoother and more refined high frequency range
- Increased bass depth, definition and articulation
- Deeper and more focused three dimensional soundstage
- Lowered dynamic noise floor
- Reduced micro phonics
- Smoother and more detailed midrange and vocals
- Lower operating temperatures and extended tube life