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I have a Woo Audio WA5 with Sophia Electric 300bs, 274B tubes, and Sylvania 6SN7s. I am using AKG 701s with ALO vampire wire modifications. I am using an Esoteric X03SE with an outboard G25U wordclock as the digital source. I have a Plinius Koru phono preamp and a Basis table with a Benz Ruby three as the cart. All of the equipment is powered by Cardas Golden Reference power cords connected to Running Springs conditioners. The interconnects are Cardas Golden Reference. Now that I have set the stage, here is the question.
When I listen with the 701s, the soundstage is huge from left to right and the detail of playback is excellent. What I am missing is the depth of the soundstage. Is that a characteristic of the 701s or is there something other change in the chain I can try to see if it makes a difference? On paper...this is a top flight set up and I am sure many would be happy with it, but when you have sunk some serious change into a set up like this and considerable effort...you want to squeeze out every aspect of the recording you can get.
The shallow soundstage was one thing that struck me immediately when I tried out the K701's. That, and the lack of bass. I'm just not a fan.
Man, nice setup! You're right, I would love that rig...except the phones. Otherwise...*sigh*
__________________ Cans: Sennheiser HD650 w/ APS V3 (Furutech) Amp: Woo Audio WA3+ (soon to be re-capped) Tubes:Pre: Siemens 6922 & 7308, Amperex 6DJ8 Bugle Boys Power: Tung-Sol 5998 & 7236 Source: Denon DVD-1920, Monarchy DIP Combo, Oritek OMZ v4.1 DAC Power: Furman PL-8 II, Parasound AWG12 x3 Cables: Signal Cable Ag Resolution w/ Eichmann Ag Bullets, Tributaries Ag Series SVC x2 Team Bay Area I can has feedsbak?
Have you tried different 6SN7's? Some will give a greater since of depth while other may give more width. Sometimes it is a compromise and sometimes you can hit everything just right. Yes, it can get expensive. Even power supply purification can help a lot depending on your AC.
As with the post above, I have heard the 701's and they did not seem to portray depth very well but who knows.
__________________
John aka Jam and Jama Photo gallery at:www.pbase.com/jamato8
The one constant in life is change, so will that change?
Feel with your own heart, see with your own eyes and hear with your own ears. Sand is sand no matter where it is found. Listening to: The Greatful Dead, The Closing of Winterland 1978, Fillmore West 1969, Lucinda Williams, Leonard Cohen Amps I am currently listening with: RSA B-51, iBasso T4, SR 71A, new Xin Reference Favorite headphone: Ultrasone Ed. 9 #1010 Portable amp ratings: *1. SR-71A *2. iBasso D3 *2b RSA Predator *3. Xin Micro *5 iBasso P3 *5b. Mini IV *6. D1 iBasso upgraded amp *6b. iBasso P2 (upgraded opamps) *8. C & C Box (good decay, tilted up high frequency, slightly synthetic) *9 iBasso T1 *10. iBasso T2 *11. XTRA X-1 (warm not neutral, very musical) *12. LD M+ These amps are enjoyable to listen to and present a slightly different interpretation of the musical signal. Portable monitor ratings: *1. PortaPros, KSC35 (modified-a great value) *2. Amadana P-117 bamboo *3. UM2 (respond to top quality amplification but I don't enjoy their sound) *4. OVC 8+ Source: iRiver H130,140, D303 optical out, D-EJ955, D-EJ1000, D-EJ2000, 25s, 25, D-303, D-777 and others (optical out if available) Digital Conversion: Altoid tin Monica Dac I, Altoid tin Monica II Asynchronous Reclocking Dac. Headphone Amplifiers: iBasso D1, IV Micro, IV Mini, Xin Reference, SM3B, SuperMacro V LE, SM3 V6 Xin (IV all switches), XRTA X-1, LD Micro +, LD Micro Tube, C&C Box, iBasso P1, P2, D1, D2, Woo 3 Modified-Siemens 6922 driver, 7236 power tube, Woo 6 Modified Pseudo dual PS - Headphones: Ultra Ed. 9, HD650, Ultrasone 750, HFI780, PortaPro modified, KSC35, Equation RP-21, Westone UM2
* different isolators/absorbers under components or weights on top
* other cables, ICs or PCs, or even on the K701
* tube rolling
* different headphone(s)
there are some useful audio tips here. i especially find interesting the parts about footers and weights.
The 701's are definitely holding you back in that system. They have been relegated to a paperweight in mine. I simply could not get past its shortcomings.
I'll put in a shameless plug here and say the Ultrasone Edition 9's might be your ticket. They give you everything on the recording, including oodles of stage depth, if on the recording. They really give you the ability of differentiating between good and not-quite-as-good recordings....more so than any other can I've heard.
__________________
Bob
Sources: Music Vault 1000, Marantz SA8001
Dac: Modwright Transporter (2ea. 6H30P-DR Supertube, 1955 GZ34 metal base rectifier)
I have a Woo Audio WA5 with Sophia Electric 300bs, 274B tubes, and Sylvania 6SN7s. I am using AKG 701s with ALO vampire wire modifications. I am using an Esoteric X03SE with an outboard G25U wordclock as the digital source. I have a Plinius Koru phono preamp and a Basis table with a Benz Ruby three as the cart. All of the equipment is powered by Cardas Golden Reference power cords connected to Running Springs conditioners. The interconnects are Cardas Golden Reference. Now that I have set the stage, here is the question.
When I listen with the 701s, the soundstage is huge from left to right and the detail of playback is excellent. What I am missing is the depth of the soundstage. Is that a characteristic of the 701s or is there something other change in the chain I can try to see if it makes a difference? On paper...this is a top flight set up and I am sure many would be happy with it, but when you have sunk some serious change into a set up like this and considerable effort...you want to squeeze out every aspect of the recording you can get.
Thanks!
I would invite local Head-Fi'ers to your place (with different headphones), since many would love to hear your setup. After that you just buy the ones you like the most.
If you are from Finland, I'll be there in a heart beat
Woo Audio WA5 Tweak Question
Linear Mode
