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WooAudio WA5 and Akg K1000's are in the house - Upgraded PSU is in 6/2 - Page 7

post #91 of 134
4/20/08 at 3:45am
Thread Starter 
So I have been with the new combo for a little while now, and I just wanted to give some additional impressions.

This is all with the AT L3000's - my long term dynamic solution.

The bass has more detail, impact, depth than I originally thought. During even complex jazz riffs the notes have a very distinct leading edge, sustain and decay.

Male and female vocals are presented with warmth and wonderful tone, Seal comes to mind with a lot of texture and impact.

The high end has an interesting dual effect going on. Sharp focus and detailed, but at the same time have a wonderful since of air about it. At first this seems like it isn't right... I guess the better thing to say is that each instrument (or notes) have a distinct location in a 3D soundstage, but within in that space the instrument (notes) have room to breath. So it is not edgy, just that balance of detail, and warmth.

All of this provides a quality that allows me to listen at lower levels, because the control, detail, and depth are higher.

So is this perfect... no, just very good..

The new GZ34's are a little hot, adding a little bit of sizzle to the music. Which works for me just about 90% of the time. So, I am okay with that. There is also an increase in the noise floor. With no input signal there is a hiss when the volume is turned up. But coming from a vinyl man, things could be worse....

Cheers,
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post #92 of 134
4/22/08 at 1:20am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by JimP View Post
My next (extended) project is proper amplification for my K1000. would appreciate your longer term impressions/experience with K1000/W5
To tell you the truth JimP. The K1000's were not a priority for me. I have listened to them on many occasions since getting the Wa5. And they always sounded nice. But nothing as special as the K1000's reputation (and how I have heard them in other systems).

I have been listening to them for several days now that I have the new tube combo..... WOW...!!!! these are turning out to be something really, really special..... These have been transformed by the tube rolling. Bass depth and punch have finally come alive, it was never really there before. The soundstage that was there before has now become much wider and projects more of a 3D effect. At first I thought that I would hold on to them for a while and give them a nice long listen, but I really expected that they would be sold after too long. Now... not so much.

I just can't see myself giving up sound that is this good anytime soon. Don't get me wrong I think that I would pick the AT-L3000's over these just about every time. But there is a natural quality to the sound of the K1000's. It is just something that sounds right.

I listen to orchestral music, and I have the thoughts, that these headphones are made out of an orchestra.... Tone and balance are so correct that it is a scary thing.

Okay... what else can I get rid of.... ??? Not the K1000's right now...

Cheers,
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post #93 of 134
4/22/08 at 10:31am
The Woo Audio 5 is the main reason why I ended up buying 3 pairs of K1000. It sound so good that I am so worried that I have to buy a backup pair, and then a backup to the backup pair !

And you are right, it will be extremely difficult to beat a WA5 powered K1000 listening to classical orchestral music.

F. Lo
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post #94 of 134
4/22/08 at 5:05pm
Thread Starter 
Cheers..... x3 ????
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post #95 of 134
4/22/08 at 5:24pm
My Sophia Princess 274B mesh plate finally arrives today. Looking forward to have a first listen this weekend as I am busy at work. These will be paired to the Sophia Princess 300B carbon plates.

F. Lo
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post #96 of 134
4/22/08 at 5:55pm
Will the 274B mesh plate be able to handle the mA draw and what is the first cap that the 274B will see? It shouldn't be more than 8uf or the turn on draw can cause the rectifier to arc and if not it can cause a shortened life span of the tube.

Next monday on the 9's to be shipped.
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post #97 of 134
4/22/08 at 6:53pm
Thread Starter 
Yeah, before I would try out the 274b, I would check with Jack and see the impact of them. I knew that the GZ34's would work, but I remember that the mesh 274b's could have an issue with the first cap. I have little understanding of that myself.

Cheers,
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post #98 of 134
4/22/08 at 6:59pm
Also the 274B mesh plate can only handle 80mA or 90mA of current draw. the solid plate can handle twice that much.
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post #99 of 134
4/23/08 at 2:42am

It is a green light for 274B

Hi all,

Got a reply from Jack who reassure me it is o.k.

Quote (extract)

The 274B can be used safely on WA5 without problem because 1) the amp has a soft start which is important to protect the tubes and 2) the rectifiers are used in parallel that shares the impact (only on cold start but that is protected in 1).

End Quote.

So, I will be busy this weekend

F. Lo
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post #100 of 134
4/23/08 at 2:50am
Good. Since they are paralleled they will have twice the current capability. I look forward to your impressions. They are supposed to be very nice.
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post #101 of 134
4/23/08 at 3:25am
good to hear k1000 users enjoying SET amplification =)

I finally got my zanden back after waiting forever...so yes, i'm happy camper again!

i'd love to try some of rectifiers mentioned here, but unfortunately, and i just found this out from the repair man (highly recommended if anyone needs amp repair work) that it needs an indirectly heated rectifier.
This means gz34, gz37.
It turns out I was always using the wrong tubes...mine doesn't take 5u4g.
Anyways, some harshness that always annoyed me is now gone =)
Anyone know if 274b is direct or indirect?

mikeymad, would love to try those metal plates whenever we can arrange a time to do another bay area mini-meet! I have some 60's mullard gz37 rectifiers if to try on urs if ur curious.

and absolutely agree, nothing beats k1000 X SET amp with orchestral music (not even an he90 imo)!
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post #102 of 134
4/23/08 at 3:36am
The 274B is a direct and comes up on the B+ faster, which isn't as nice on the tubes unless there is a control of the current somewhere to slow down the process.
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post #103 of 134
4/23/08 at 3:40am
thanks for the info...
ah well, guess less money spent experimenting...
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post #104 of 134
4/24/08 at 2:22am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by foo_me View Post
I finally got my zanden back after waiting forever...so yes, i'm happy camper again!

i'd love to try some of rectifiers mentioned here, but unfortunately, and i just found this out from the repair man (highly recommended if anyone needs amp repair work) that it needs an indirectly heated rectifier.
This means gz34, gz37.
It turns out I was always using the wrong tubes...mine doesn't take 5u4g.

mikeymad, would love to try those metal plates whenever we can arrange a time to do another bay area mini-meet! I have some 60's mullard gz37 rectifiers if to try on urs if ur curious.
Cheers foo_me, I am glad that you got that great Zanden back in your hands. I would like to try the gz37's and also the 5u4g's as well.

PM me with your thoughts on a gathering.

K1000 happyness is back...

Cheers,
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post #105 of 134
4/28/08 at 1:39am
Thread Starter 
To celebrate the return of foo_me's Zanden, I am sad to report that my WA5 has decided to stop working. Little blue light on the PSU will not come on. I have taken a look inside, and swapped out tubes.

Jack has been notified....

Oh well back to the ES-1/O2 for now..

Cheers,
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