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Woo Audio WA5-LE - Upgraded Parts worthwhile?

post #1 of 17
5/24/09 at 3:48am
Thread Starter 
Hi all,

It's time to upgrade my headphone rig, and all roads are leading to Woo Audio's WA5-LE (I currently have a WA3, so it's a reasonable jump )

I'm wondering whether to go for the 'standard' WA5-LE, or the 'Parts Upgraded' version.

There's quite a huge difference in price (over 50% more expensive, if I also go for the upgraded tubes), and unfortunately I've not had the privilege of listening to them.

Has anyone listened to both versions?

If not, is anyone familiar enough with the parts in question to make any recommendations? The Parts Upgrade is certainly stretching my budget, but if there's a quantum leap in sound quality, how could I not?

Then I only need to decide whether to upgrade my HD-600's to the new HD'800's ... no-one ever said this was an inexpensive obsession ...

Thanks for any advice ...
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post #2 of 17
5/26/09 at 12:05pm
First, the WA5-LE is wonderful and you will see a HUGE improvement over your WA3. I decided to go with a stock WA5LE (no parts upgrade) but upgraded the tubes. I think the upgraded tubes will make a much bigger difference in sound quality. However, that said, it is easier to get the parts upgrade now and wait and upgrade the tubes in the future since the WA5 would be a pain to send back. You could also email Jack and ask his opinion. He is very helpful.

BTW: I have not heard both versions but I will get a chance to listen to one with upgraded parts at CanJam this weekend!
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post #3 of 17
5/29/09 at 6:32pm
I am curius to the answer on this subject also if anybodt ever can get a comparison.
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post #4 of 17
5/30/09 at 7:27pm
This is a good question. I have the Woo amp (with speaker out puts included) and paid $1100 for the upgrade which is a lot of money. I have not compared it to the stock unit in an A/B comparison but the reason why I went for the full upgrade is because I figure this will be my only high end amp that I buy in my life time and I might as well make it the best it can be.

Also, I have no plans on buying expensive boutique cables but just good quality modest cables without the high expenense. My feeling is that the internal upgrade will be better than expensive cables. I notice that my Woo amp seems to have a very nice smooth tone and I'm guessing that the extra smoothness is from the upgrade.

If I were somehow to buy a second Woo 5 amp for another room, I don't think I would spend the money for the upgrade.
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post #5 of 17
5/31/09 at 12:50am
Why go that far for an amp and skip out on the last few options? If it were me I would get the upgraded parts and worry about tubes later, you can always add a Sophia later. I dont get people who skip the parts upgrade so they can get some expensive tubes that you dont know that you will like.
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post #6 of 17
5/31/09 at 2:37am
Well ... you can resell tubes but not upgrades.
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post #7 of 17
5/31/09 at 2:40am
Quote:
Originally Posted by some1x View Post
Well ... you can resell tubes but not upgrades.
Makes the amp worth more, it also means you dont have to pay for some tubes twice shipping the amp back for the upgrades. Shipping on an amp like that is expensive. How much is shipping on a tube? 5 bucks?
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post #8 of 17
5/31/09 at 10:06am
Quote:
Originally Posted by olblueyez View Post
Makes the amp worth more, it also means you dont have to pay for some tubes twice shipping the amp back for the upgrades. Shipping on an amp like that is expensive. How much is shipping on a tube? 5 bucks?
Well the problem is that with resale value, you already take a hit on the base amp. Selling the amp used, you are going to take a much greater hit if it has the upgrades because you most likely won't be able to sell it for much higher than you would a non-maxxed version. We can see this happening with the other woo amps that come up for sale.

To, the OP, I've been considering the WA5, but I'm also thinking about getting out of the hobby(just don't have time anymore). I thought about the upgrade package, but for the money, you could nearly grab one of the new flagship headphones. Which will provide you with more satisfaction? There also doesn't seem to be a consensus as to what the upgrade package actually changes or improves.

On the flipside, if you know you are going to be in this hobby for a while and want an amp for years to come, I'd go with the upgrade package so there are no second guesses. The only way I wouldn't is if I thought I was going to sell it in the future.
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post #9 of 17
6/25/09 at 9:00am
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the advice everyone.

I ordered the WA5-LE with the upgraded parts ... after all, the amp really is a "no-compromises" model, so why compromise on the parts? (Besides, I would always wonder what the maxxed-out version might have sounded like, if I ordered the stock model). It was quite a bit more expensive, but the 4-6 week build time gives me longer to save for it.

Incidentally, I went for the Sophia power and rectifier tubes too ... so it's going to be a bit of an upgrade from my Woo WA3 :-)

It's been a few weeks now, I can't wait until it's finished!! I just need some HD800's, and my system will be "complete"!

-----

Mac Pro -> Weiss DAC2 -> Woo Audio WA5-LE (ordered) -> Sennheiser HD600 and Denon AH-D5000
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post #10 of 17
6/25/09 at 11:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgorman View Post
... and my system will be "complete"!
Famous last words, LOL!

I heard the 800's on a Woo with upgrades and Sophias at Can Jam. It was sweet.
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post #11 of 17
6/25/09 at 2:46pm
sounds like a great setup.
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post #12 of 17
6/25/09 at 8:10pm
Post pics when you receive the new toy!
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post #13 of 17
6/26/09 at 1:17am
Wow, that is going to be one heck of an upgrade!!!

Quote:
Originally Posted by bgorman View Post
Thanks for the advice everyone.

I ordered the WA5-LE with the upgraded parts ... after all, the amp really is a "no-compromises" model, so why compromise on the parts? (Besides, I would always wonder what the maxxed-out version might have sounded like, if I ordered the stock model). It was quite a bit more expensive, but the 4-6 week build time gives me longer to save for it.

Incidentally, I went for the Sophia power and rectifier tubes too ... so it's going to be a bit of an upgrade from my Woo WA3 :-)

It's been a few weeks now, I can't wait until it's finished!! I just need some HD800's, and my system will be "complete"!

-----

Mac Pro -> Weiss DAC2 -> Woo Audio WA5-LE (ordered) -> Sennheiser HD600 and Denon AH-D5000
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post #14 of 17
7/1/09 at 8:18pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by oatmeal769 View Post
> I just need some HD800's, and my system will be "complete"!
Famous last words, LOL!
LOL, you might have a point

Dare I ask ... what could the next upgrade possibly be, after the HD800's?

Still excitedly waiting for the Woo ... will post pics when it arrives ...

Blair
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post #15 of 17
9/16/11 at 11:12pm

Bumping an old thread.  Facing the same choice now and wondering if any current or former WA5 owners had anything else to add or chime in.  I asked Jack about the parts upgrade and his take was that they improve control, texture, tonality, and speed.

 

Not a DIYer but some forums seam to swear on the quality of Black Gates and how they will impact the sound given time to burn in.

 

Then again, for the same price I could buy a pair of LCD-2s or some EML mesh power and rectifier tubes, which I assume will be a more immediately noticeable impact.

 

Thoughts?

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