WooAudio 3 - first impressions, WOW!

[003]

FINALLY, my WooAudio 3 came in the mail today. Right now I'm using the stock tubes, the Cetron 7236 will be here next week. However, it still sounds amazing! This does not surprise me, the only other amp I had was a PA2V2, and that's what I was using with the HD650.

Anyway, when I first hooked it up, I let the tubes warm up about 5 minutes (yeah, I am impatient), and then I started the music. At first, I had some trouble telling it apart from the PA2V2, but I believe this is because I did not let the tubes warm up long enough. After about an hour, the tubes were very hot (almost burned myself on the power tube) and did not seem to be getting any hotter.

I tried listening again, and WOW, what a difference! I don't know all the terms you true hardcore audiophiles use to describe the sound, so I will do my best, please pardon me if I sound like an idiot. The most notable difference seemed to be the soundstage, it is HUGE. I can easily tell from what direction all the voices and instruments are coming from now. The vocals (and entire midrange) have superb seperation, and seem to carry more weight or "authority". The other most notable change is the bass. On the PA2V2, it was very loose, uncontrolled and muddy. It was the type of bass the average consumer thinks is "great". With the WA3, there isn't any less bess, but it is MUCH more controlled, and not so loose and flabby.

As for the highs, I am not good with picking out a "good" high-end from a "bad" high-end, so I won't comment on them. They sound fine to me. They seem effortlessly controlled and less "rolled off". Oh, and I almost forgot to mention, fatigue. With the PA2V2 I would experience fatigue rather easily, especially at higher volumes. On the WA3, I don't have any. It's that simple, it's just gone. Even at high volumes.

Well there you have it, impressions of the WA3 from a novice.

Listening to DSOTM, the tracks that I thought sounded best were Money and Any Colour You Like.

[darkninja67]

Congrats on the Woo 3. I may add that amp later on down the road. Glad to see the HD650s getting along with it as well.

[Gradofan2]

I assume your WA3 is new, and not burnt in yet.

You will be amazed with the Cetron 7236 when the amp and tubes are burnt in - your HD650's will sound simply incredible... like you wouldn't believe they could ever sound - much more forward, detailed, and clear (without any veil) and with fast, solid, tight, extended bass, and warm mids.

The magic of a good, powerful tube amp with the Senns is hard to beat.

Enjoy!

GF2

[003]

Originally Posted by Gradofan2

You will be amazed with the Cetron 7236 when the amp and tubes are burnt in - your HD650's will sound simply incredible... like you wouldn't believe they could ever sound - much more forward, detailed, and clear (without any veil) and with fast, solid, tight, extended bass, and warm mids.

I hope that's true, it already sounds amazing

[upstateguy]

Hi 003,

Congratulations on your Woo 3. I have been waiting for you to get it so you could post your impressions as it burns in.

I have been trying to decide between: (advice given to me by fellow HeadFiers)

Woo 3
Raptor
Headamp Lite
Slam PPX3
HR-2
EarMax Pro

Regards

USG

[Asr]

Originally Posted by 003

Anyway, when I first hooked it up, I let the tubes warm up about 5 minutes (yeah, I am impatient), and then I started the music.

Ok so I'm not a tube amp expert (far from it), but turning on the amp without a load isn't recommended, as far as I know and have heard from other people much more knowledgeable than me. You should start the music first and then turn the amp on.

[003]

You are correct, you should not have it on without a load, but load does not mean if there is music playing or not. It means if headphones are connected or not.

No load = no headphones connected

Load = headphones connected

I have always had the headphones plugged in when it is on.

[GreatDane]

003,

Congrats on the WA3

As you know I just added a Tung-Sol 7236 to my Woo. It had been over 3 weeks since I'd listened to the amp. I was using an RCA power tube so my memory of its sound didn't permit me to really appreciate the difference at first...but, either the Tung-Sol 7236 is a big improvement or I was just "tube deprived" , but HOLY COW! my 650 sounds amazing.

I'm using the stock Philips input tubes right now and my 650 have been "de-foamed" using typical black plastic/fiberglass window screen.

I've been giving my fairly new Micro amp some quality time while doing some analog transfers for my DAP(2 ch. DD or better yet PCM) from my large DVD concert collection and I only have an RCA>mini connection(didn't feel like swapping too many cables) that I use so the Woo has been resting...but that ongoing project will be put on hold while I go through several reference CDs with the Woo.

Even if tube burn-in/break-in in real or not, my stock tubes did seem to "open up"(50+ hours) just about the time I recieved some new tubes that I'd bought about a month after I got the Woo, which were the RCA power tube(cheap) and a matched pair of Amperex Bugleboys. The tube "burn-in" may have been real or I simply learned to appreciate the magical tube experience

Enjoy.

[003]

oh MY GOD!! I just got the Cetron 7236 in the mail today, and it sounds AMAZING!! Like nothing I've ever heard!! I thought it sounded good before, but christ, WOW! Does it really get that much better with burn in?? Because if it does, I can hardly wait for this puppy to burn in!!

Oh, in case I didn't already mention it, THIS SOUNDS AMAZING!

[madmax7]

Welcome aboard!

[SK138]

I agree....Woo3 is a great valued tube amp and it response very well to tube rolling