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Woo 3 question

post #1 of 12
9/3/08 at 3:44pm
Thread Starter 
-=Hey Guys=-

I have my 880s and 650s in another room and was wondering if my 701s can be powered by my Woo3, without distortion, if volumes are kept low.

I understand the problems the "3" has with low impedance headphones, but I'm wondering if it's a volume issue, where more power is called for, or it just won't perform at any volume level because the volume control is an attenuator?

Thanks

USG
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post #2 of 12
9/3/08 at 5:35pm
I've used my Woo3 with my ER4S, 325i, DT-880(250), DT-770(80), HD 650, K240S(55) & K240M(600). The amp drove all fine and sounded good. I did listen briefly to a friends 701 with my Woo3 and I don't recall any problems.
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post #3 of 12
9/3/08 at 5:39pm
I don't understand. You own the Woo3 and the K701... surely you are the best person to answer this question?
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post #4 of 12
9/3/08 at 7:00pm
I bought a WA3+ for my 701's and was NOT impressed at all; at any level the bass was flabby and bloated (sounded like you were listening through blown speakers). When I spoke with Jack about it he said in the end its just an impedence mismatch; the WA3 (or WA3+) work better with higher impedence cans than they do with lower impedence onces.

But, like philodox said; you own them both, what do you think?
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post #5 of 12
9/3/08 at 8:07pm

My 701s and WA3. . .

. . . sound great together. My sources have been a Linn Axis Turntable (lower line from the 80s?), Denon CD player circa 1992, and my laptop with a cheap USB DAC. I think that your amp and headphones should sound very good together - neither should be the weak link.

Best,
Larry
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post #6 of 12
9/4/08 at 1:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by philodox View Post
I don't understand. You own the Woo3 and the K701... surely you are the best person to answer this question?
I wish that was the case. When I turn up the volume, the bass gets flabby relative to my GS-1 or M^3, but at low volumes, I don't seem to notice it.

What I was looking for was more of a technical answer.

Catch ya on the flip

USG
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post #7 of 12
9/4/08 at 2:06pm
Thread Starter 
anyone have further input?
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post #8 of 12
9/4/08 at 2:45pm

My Experience Was Similar...

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bigjppop View Post
I bought a WA3+ for my 701's and was NOT impressed at all; at any level the bass was flabby and bloated (sounded like you were listening through blown speakers). When I spoke with Jack about it he said in the end its just an impedence mismatch; the WA3 (or WA3+) work better with higher impedence cans than they do with lower impedence onces.

But, like philodox said; you own them both, what do you think?
That was my experience also with my WA3 and Grados (low impedance phones). Jack's explanation was the same, though he suggested the WA3+ would be better with low impedance phones, he suggested I go with the WA6, if I wanted to drive both.
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post #9 of 12
9/4/08 at 3:42pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Gradofan2 View Post
That was my experience also with my WA3 and Grados (low impedance phones). Jack's explanation was the same, though he suggested the WA3+ would be better with low impedance phones, he suggested I go with the WA6, if I wanted to drive both.
Hi GF2, long time no speak to.....

I don't really want to "drive" the 701s with the W3, just be able to use it occasionally with the 701s, at low volumes, but without distortion. I don't know if that's possible.

USG
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post #10 of 12
9/4/08 at 4:11pm
"just be able to use it occasionally with the 701s, at low volumes, but without distortion. I don't know if that's possible."

Again, I'm not sure if I follow you here... when you plug your K701's into your Woo 3 and listen at low volumes do you hear distortion? If you don't, there is no need worry about it. If you do, then it might merit some investigation as to the source of the distortion and if it is fixable.
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post #11 of 12
9/6/08 at 5:24am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by philodox View Post
"just be able to use it occasionally with the 701s, at low volumes, but without distortion. I don't know if that's possible."

Again, I'm not sure if I follow you here... when you plug your K701's into your Woo 3 and listen at low volumes do you hear distortion? If you don't, there is no need worry about it. If you do, then it might merit some investigation as to the source of the distortion and if it is fixable.
Maybe distortion is the wrong word....

USG
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post #12 of 12
9/6/08 at 10:37am

You Might...

Quote:
Originally Posted by upstateguy View Post
Maybe distortion is the wrong word....

USG
You might want to just call / email Jack and ask him.

From what I've read the AKGs require quite a bit of power to drive them properly - the WA3 may not adequately provide that to your K701s, though it seems to excel with Senns.

And... if you haven't tried them already, you may find some other tubes would help. As I recall the 5998s / 7236s provide a bit more gain, than the 6AS7s, and 6080s, and you might try some alternative 6922s / 6DJ8s. The Russian 6H23N-EBs, seem to have a bit tighter, more prominent bass, than others. And, of course, the Amperex 6DJ8s / 6922s do also.
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