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Woo Audio WA6 SE - Internal Photos, Pg. 10/11 - Page 5

post #61 of 183
7/3/08 at 2:27am
It would be interesting to read a comparison between SE and RSA The Raptor.
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post #62 of 183
7/17/08 at 3:12am
Will be receiving my WA6 SE soon, and will post impressions with pics (will try to get internals) too.
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post #63 of 183
7/18/08 at 1:44am
I ordered mine today , a silver one !

... now what !? Looking forward for a DAC : PEACHTREE AUDIO - DECCO + WADIA - iTRANSPORT but 380 + 800 = $1180 , a lot of money !

Any other cheaper idea ?
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post #64 of 183
7/18/08 at 4:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmwwhats View Post
Will be receiving my WA6 SE soon, and will post impressions with pics (will try to get internals) too.
Nice, has your W6 SE shipped?
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post #65 of 183
7/31/08 at 2:37am
I got my WA6 SE last week. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL and solid as a rock. I unscrewed the transformer covers to peak inside... don't have a clue as what I'm looking at, but there are a lot of parts in this amp's two chassis. As for sound... well, I've been away for the last week so haven't had time to burn it in, but as it is, it doesn't sound particularly good. It definitely sounds like it has potential, because the amp sounds transparent and has vivid dynamics, but voices and instruments sound awfully synthetic. Not so much because the amp sounds bright, it doesn't and has some warmth, but voices and instruments just sound unnatural. I really hope things shape up with some burn in. For reference, I'm using a Cambridge Audio 840C CDP and AKG K701 headphones. I've heard the phones and CDP with an upgraded MPX3, which didn't match the lively dynamics of the WA6 SE, but actually sounded like real organic music, at this point, I know the phones and CDP are top notch... hoping the amp comes around too.
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post #66 of 183
7/31/08 at 6:17am
I didn't like my WA6 with all the upgrades till I got past 600 hours of burn-in. Those Vcaps and Blackgates in mine need a long time to burn-in (I hear 1000 hours is typical).
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post #67 of 183
7/31/08 at 10:00am
The more I read, the more I confuse myself. I have pretty much decided to get a WA6 for my RS-1's. I had talked to Jack and he had mentioned kicking up the gain if they were to be my sole headphone and the Sophia tube.

I had pretty much decided against the the upgrade because quite frankly I just don't want to have to wait for such a long burn-in for what could be a minor (at least for me) increase in quality. Now the questions is how much an improvment is the SE over the base model. I know that this has been asked before in this thread, but my question is what makes the improvmement, just the seperate power supply?

I am also thinking about the multiple input thing too.
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post #68 of 183
7/31/08 at 10:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmwwhats View Post
I got my WA6 SE last week. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL and solid as a rock. I unscrewed the transformer covers to peak inside... don't have a clue as what I'm looking at, but there are a lot of parts in this amp's two chassis. As for sound... well, I've been away for the last week so haven't had time to burn it in, but as it is, it doesn't sound particularly good. It definitely sounds like it has potential, because the amp sounds transparent and has vivid dynamics, but voices and instruments sound awfully synthetic. Not so much because the amp sounds bright, it doesn't and has some warmth, but voices and instruments just sound unnatural. I really hope things shape up with some burn in. For reference, I'm using a Cambridge Audio 840C CDP and AKG K701 headphones. I've heard the phones and CDP with an upgraded MPX3, which didn't match the lively dynamics of the WA6 SE, but actually sounded like real organic music, at this point, I know the phones and CDP are top notch... hoping the amp comes around too.
if you find yourself disliking the sound you're getting after a week, then i'd
suggest strongly that you return it to woo audio for a refund. i think you have
up to 20 days from date of receipt of the amp. from my experience, sometimes
the synergy between a source, ic, amp and headphone just doesn't do it
for all folks. it may surprise some, but we hear things differently... all of us do.
i'd return the amp asap and think about trying other models or make. good luck.
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post #69 of 183
7/31/08 at 11:24am
Quote:
if you find yourself disliking the sound you're getting after a week, then i'd
suggest strongly that you return it to woo audio for a refund. ...it may surprise some, but we hear things differently... all of us do. i'd return the amp asap and think about trying other models or make. good luck.
Interesting suggestion. I too have read on multiple occassions that the components (both stock and upgrade) can take a very long time to burn in, and the difference that makes it not insignificant.

I'd be interested to hear in opinions from other WA6 SE owners (if there are any) - in particular, regarding the possible lack of an organic character (which I would have thought would be the total opposite with this amp).
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post #70 of 183
7/31/08 at 12:04pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmwwhats View Post
I got my WA6 SE last week. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL and solid as a rock. I unscrewed the transformer covers to peak inside... don't have a clue as what I'm looking at, but there are a lot of parts in this amp's two chassis. As for sound... well, I've been away for the last week so haven't had time to burn it in, but as it is, it doesn't sound particularly good. It definitely sounds like it has potential, because the amp sounds transparent and has vivid dynamics, but voices and instruments sound awfully synthetic. Not so much because the amp sounds bright, it doesn't and has some warmth, but voices and instruments just sound unnatural. I really hope things shape up with some burn in. For reference, I'm using a Cambridge Audio 840C CDP and AKG K701 headphones. I've heard the phones and CDP with an upgraded MPX3, which didn't match the lively dynamics of the WA6 SE, but actually sounded like real organic music, at this point, I know the phones and CDP are top notch... hoping the amp comes around too.
Pics of internals?
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post #71 of 183
7/31/08 at 12:55pm

Yes...

Yes... you can return it...

... but... how will you ever know what it really sounds like after the BGs have been burnt in?

You won't.

They, reportedly, change quite dramatically with lengthy burn in - talk with Jamato about this. He's one who seems to have some of the best knowledge and experience with BGs and their characteristics throughout burn in.

So... I suggest you also call Jack, and discuss the matter with him to find out... if... the sound you dislike will moderate and disappear with burn in.

If... you're uncertain... negotiate a "deal" with Jack, where he'll permit you to return the amp after 6 months of burn in, if it doesn't improve as he suggests. You might have to pay a "nominal restocking fee" and return shipping, but that would be much better... and allow you to hear what it actually sounds like.

Moreover, as I recall, Jack will allow you a 100% credit for "trade-in" of his amps (I think that's correct, if they're in "mint" condition). So... he'd likely allow you to exchange the amp for another model for minimum cost.

Finally... whether the sound may be the result of a mismatch with your source, or phones - you may want to swap out those to achieve the optimum sound. All phones do not mate well with all setups - system matching is paramount to achieving the optimum sound of phones and setups.
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post #72 of 183
7/31/08 at 1:36pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by xenithon View Post
Interesting suggestion. I too have read on multiple occassions that the components (both stock and upgrade) can take a very long time to burn in, and the difference that makes it not insignificant.

I'd be interested to hear in opinions from other WA6 SE owners (if there are any) - in particular, regarding the possible lack of an organic character (which I would have thought would be the total opposite with this amp).
i agree, the SQ from day one to 700+ hrs. later is one of very significant change.
bass becomes taut, springy, deep, contoured... list goes on... it's the best bass
sonic i've come across, but i think the source and choice of headphone is very
significant too. my channel island vda2/vac1 DAC set up was upgraded with
blackgate NX caps several months ago and since then the sound i'm getting out
of my entire system has been illuminating, to say to least... highs are unfettered
and lively... the mids are liquidy and grain-free silky smooth, even with my
gs-1000. the bass is other worldly. i think the expansive sense of separation
of the notes is allowing the mid-bass to shine... organic? depends on what the accepted
definition is i suppose, but if it means a transparent lush silky mid range juxtaposed
against a palpable deep, taut, springy, growling bass and an open sparkling high that
seems un-bottled, then yes, they are there in abundance.

ps: i've always thought good SS amps gave off a deeper, more impacting bass than tube amps,
but now, the bass i'm getting from my tube amp and source has changed my mind on that.
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post #73 of 183
7/31/08 at 1:44pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gradofan2 View Post

...Moreover, as I recall, Jack will allow you a 100% credit for "trade-in" of his amps (I think that's correct, if they're in "mint" condition). So... he'd likely allow you to exchange the amp for another model for minimum cost. ...
that's right, i remember jack emailed me about crediting trade-ins of his units
for higher cost units last year, but i don't remember him saying 100%... but i thought it
was great of him to even make such an offer. you should definitely ask if he
is still offering such services.
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post #74 of 183
7/31/08 at 2:01pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmwwhats View Post
I got my WA6 SE last week. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL and solid as a rock. I unscrewed the transformer covers to peak inside... don't have a clue as what I'm looking at, but there are a lot of parts in this amp's two chassis. As for sound... well, I've been away for the last week so haven't had time to burn it in, but as it is, it doesn't sound particularly good. It definitely sounds like it has potential, because the amp sounds transparent and has vivid dynamics, but voices and instruments sound awfully synthetic. Not so much because the amp sounds bright, it doesn't and has some warmth, but voices and instruments just sound unnatural. I really hope things shape up with some burn in. For reference, I'm using a Cambridge Audio 840C CDP and AKG K701 headphones. I've heard the phones and CDP with an upgraded MPX3, which didn't match the lively dynamics of the WA6 SE, but actually sounded like real organic music, at this point, I know the phones and CDP are top notch... hoping the amp comes around too.
I have heard the 701's with my modified 6 and they weren't my favorite.

Organic, well that doesn't come into play until everything settles down but what upgrades, if any, are in this amp?
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post #75 of 183
7/31/08 at 2:12pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by mmwwhats View Post
I got my WA6 SE last week. It's absolutely BEAUTIFUL and solid as a rock. I unscrewed the transformer covers to peak inside... don't have a clue as what I'm looking at, but there are a lot of parts in this amp's two chassis. As for sound... well, I've been away for the last week so haven't had time to burn it in, but as it is, it doesn't sound particularly good. It definitely sounds like it has potential, because the amp sounds transparent and has vivid dynamics, but voices and instruments sound awfully synthetic. Not so much because the amp sounds bright, it doesn't and has some warmth, but voices and instruments just sound unnatural. I really hope things shape up with some burn in. For reference, I'm using a Cambridge Audio 840C CDP and AKG K701 headphones. I've heard the phones and CDP with an upgraded MPX3, which didn't match the lively dynamics of the WA6 SE, but actually sounded like real organic music, at this point, I know the phones and CDP are top notch... hoping the amp comes around too.
I have heard the 701's with my modified 6 and they weren't my favorite.

Organic, well that doesn't come into play until everything settles down but what upgrades, if any, are in this amp?

I have had the Black Gates (nonpolar) in my amp for two months and am still hearing changes (good ones). The V caps, when used, require an even longer period of run in time (forming) and this is acknowledged by the manufacture of V cap. I have not heard the SE but it should be near the Modified 6 with a dual supply though I design a little different and come off different points than the SE or dual supply as done by Woo Audio.
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