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First Woo Audio GES in Australia - Impressions - Page 2

post #16 of 21
8/18/08 at 5:38am
Quote:
Originally Posted by immtbiker View Post
I am waiting on a built-to-order GES (3 weeks now) and am using a demo unit that Jack had.

He does indeed offer a balanced input option, which I almost bought, but I don't really have the cash flow to fund the upgrade. He has to add another row of tubes and make the chassis about 2 inches longer to accomodate them.

I did get a Sennheiser jack added on but was told, that unlike the 007t which is a hybrid amp (not point to point wiring) that the GES can't handle 2 headphones at the same time, so if I want switch from Omegas to the HE-60's, I'd have to shut off the amp, switch headphones and then wait for the new headphones stators to warm up. It would just be better to use a different pair of headphones each listening session.

I never realized the "warm-up/volume" situation, but it does make perfect sense, because when I listen to them after 15 minutes, I have to turn the volume up to 1 o'clock...but when I turn it on and listen a couple of hours later (not on purpose, it's just that life gets in the way sometimes) it is one of the sweetest amps I've ever heard and the volume is suitable at 11 o'clock.
When I spoke to Jack about this, he offered to increase the gain for me.

I was listening to "The Best of Eddie "Lockjaw" Davis" last night before bed and I was truly impressed with the sound quality. It had been on for about 4 hours.

I guess that since electrostat headphones take a while to warm up before the sound their best, then waiting for the amp to warm up isn't that big a problem.

Enjoy your new toy and thanks for the review!
Hi, hopefully you'll see this question.

I have the GES prototype here with me right now, and it is nice with my HE60 and SR-Lambda Signature (an upgrade over my SRM-1 Mk2 Pro). I have a new GES current production being built. I have only a few days to decide if I should go maxed or not, but I don't know that I can afford to do the upgrades.

Can you tell me how much better the base-model GES was over the prototype, and re-assure me that it will be a noticeable upgrade over the prototype without having to spend another $680 to max out the GES?

Thanks!
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post #17 of 21
8/18/08 at 8:08am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by HeadphoneAddict View Post
Hi, hopefully you'll see this question.

I have the GES prototype here with me right now, and it is nice with my HE60 and SR-Lambda Signature (an upgrade over my SRM-1 Mk2 Pro). I have a new GES current production being built. I have only a few days to decide if I should go maxed or not, but I don't know that I can afford to do the upgrades.

Can you tell me how much better the base-model GES was over the prototype, and re-assure me that it will be a noticeable upgrade over the prototype without having to spend another $680 to max out the GES?

Thanks!
I hope immtbiker spots the question too (perhaps a PM to him?)

I can't compare, as I got a production model, but if it was within my reach I'd have the upgraded capacitors any day (although spritzer has indicated to me there are even higher grade ones than Jack can provide). I can't tell you the degree of difference maxxing it out would provide but it would sure beat having to do it later (as I will have to if I ever go that way).

Also remember that tube rolling can really make a difference with the GES and that, in addition to any changes you hear from the prototype, could be all you really need.
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post #18 of 21
8/18/08 at 9:58pm
if your box runs 12AX7's then you need to experiment with some 7025's which are ultra low noise 12AX's. The 7025 has two long heater filiments which are reverse wound (one clockwise one counter clockwise) to offset the inductive field. The RCA 7025 is a wonderful tube with great bass weight and a fine sense of space. Electro Harmonix make inexpensive 7025's forget what they call it but they are nice and will give you an idea but they are not RCA's. For me at least cryo all tubes. Hope that this helps.
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post #19 of 21
8/19/08 at 1:25am
I have the stock 12AX7 in the Prototype GES, and also have a pair of NOS 12BZ7 upgrades that Woo offers, to try when the new GES arrives. Do the 7025 offer the same gain as the 12AX7, and do you know a source for them?
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post #20 of 21
8/19/08 at 1:49am
The production model that I got from Jack had some significant sonic improvements over the prototype. I also got some better tubes that Jack recommended but they have been long since replaced by 2 matched pairs of NOS ECC-83's (Mullard and Valvo/Siemens...I believe) that I borrowed from Braillediver. It sounds wonderful now.

I'm sure that the balanced version and some Siltech wiring and a better attenuator would bring it to the next level, but for now, I am quite pleased with the sound with my 1.2B's and my HE-60's.

BTW- You should re-subscribe to the thread since this thread occured before the 2007 crash.
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post #21 of 21
8/20/08 at 5:17am
Mine will be internally balanced, but uses RCA inputs - fortunately I have two different XLR>RCA converters. I am still debating the auricap upgrades and attenuator, I have about a week to decide.
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