I decided to gives tubes a try again after many years of using SS gear. My past experience with tube gear was not very positive (Melos SHA- power supply hum, hum though the headphones and speakers and poor quality toggle switch feel) (Music Reference RM9 MkII lint shorts, blown fuses,popping sounds, biasing adjustments, Audible Illusions L1, humming power supply, short tube life). While they sounded good when they worked, the issues far outweighted the enjoyment of just being able to sit and listen to music. My requirements for the tube headphone amp were good sound, reliability, build quality and nice cosmetics. No headphone amps with plastic housings or cheap looking metal enclosures were considered.My budget was $600 or less for a tube Headphone Amp.
I currently use a Simaudio P3 preamp in my audio system which has excellent build quality-This was my benchmark for build quality. After reading the review in Tone Audio, I decided to check out the WooAudio Amps. I used my HD-600's which I plugged into either my Shanling CDT-100 which has a headphone amp or my Simaudio P3, which also has a headphone amp. I also have a Yamaha HT receiver downstairs with my Oppo 970HD. Would the WA-6 sound better that my 2 other amps? Would the HD-600's benefit from a dedicated Headphone Amp?
First up: The Yamaha HT Receiver headphone input. Bass was muddy and the HD-600's just sounded muffled. No contest here but considering the receiver cost $150, I did not expect much.
Next stop: Shanling CDT100 headphone amp to HD-600's. Depending on the CD, sometimes I needed to turn the volume to MAX to get decent volume and sound. It sounded good but could get fatiguing on certain CD's. I was hoping the HD-600's could sound better. Switching over to the WA6 using the CDT100 as the source, the sound improved quite a bit. The clarity of instruments- high frequencies were clearer and had more sparkle, the soundstage improved and the bass was tighter and was more defined, it just sounded cleaner and more accurate and there was plenty of volume (the volume control never past the 12 o'clock position). The HD-600's never sounded so good! The WA6 definitely has the ability to drive these phones to a new level of clarity/transparency.
Final Comparison: the WA6 vs the headphone amp of the P3, yielded similar results. While the SimAudio could easily drive the HD-600's, the bass sounded muddy and the highs and vocals did not have the clarity and transparency that made the WA6 so nice to listen to with the HD-600's. I can honestly say, I never really knew how good the HD-600's could sound until hearing them through the WA6.
Anyone that says the HD-600's are dark or veiled hasn't tried the correct headphone amp.
Music The Shins- Wincing The Night Away
Jenna Mammina- Inner Smile
Rebecca Pidgeon-The Raven
Diana Krall- The Girl In The Other Room
The following list just adds more reasons to give Wooaudio a listen. Dealing with Jack was a pleasure.
Ease of ordering excellent
communication regarding order excellent
Shipping Date Accuracy excellent
Shipping Box/packing materials excellent
Build Quality excellent
Sound wonderful
WooAudio 6 Review
