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Woo Audio Amp Owner Unite
Apr 5, 2016 at 4:42 AM Post #37,126 of 42,298
isquirrel said:
   The Mullard GZ34 metal base lasts literally forever, I have a pair which I bought off an older friend in the US which he had been using regularly for 15 years or so, had them tested and I was stunned as they tested almost as new, in fact if I hadn't had a brand new pair to compare them to on the tube testing machine both the test tech and I would have assumed they were as new.
 
Click to expand...

 
I've had a number of metal base GZ34s over the years (dating back to my first Woo amp-- the WA6 (gateway drug anyone?).  I've not found a better sounding rectifier, or a more durable one, in all of my pursuits (haven't heard the Tak 274s).  At the same time-- I've not found an uglier tube for the WA5LE.  Stumpy, boring, very little glow-- totally out of place in this big gorgeous amp.  
 
Until you hear them.  
 
Crazy that a tube built 60-years ago can sound this good.  These things were used in single speaker amplifiers driving AM radio sets.  They should sound horrible, on the face of it.
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 4:45 AM Post #37,127 of 42,298
^

Simon.

Wow. You have been busy. Thanks for the update. I'm always gooey when I hear of your projects.

MSB sounds amazing I guess the first question and request is please can we have a juicy picture. I myself enjoy that type of stuff.

Your comments on the WA234 makes sense. Yes the WA234 should be balanced throughout. RCA inputs being the best input seems seriously flawed. Having speaker outputs is trying to please everyone and also makes sense to concentrate on one purpose. That is making the very best HP amp. Does the Viva have speaker outputs? I guess the Viva would be the main competion?
C3G will team up better with the 300B type power tubes better than 6SN7 so that is a worthy project as well.
If Woo removed the speaker output would that allow space for better transformers or are they of a high enough grade?

If a super WA234 ever gets developed by Jack and yourself that will be a marvel. I look foward to seeing and hearing about it. A challenge for Woo but I think a worthy one. They can make remarkable products if they commit to it.
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 4:56 AM Post #37,128 of 42,298
tonynewman said:
  I am now a DAC convert. To my mind, the music starts once the DAC has done its magic and an analogue signal is in play. Before that it is an exercise in data transfer (I know some audiophiles will be coughing up hairballs at that statement - YMMV).
 
If you get the time to post some pics of your rig I know they will be appreciated (and drooled over).
Click to expand...

 
I am digging through photos and will post shorty. Actually the music starts the moment you rip the file or download it, whichever. The quality of the file is paramount. For example I have ripped the same CD 3 times, using different drives and one time from a music server the CAT had its own drive. They all sound different. The Aurender does not have a physical media drive so I have been playing around with XLD and dB Poweramp both of which support AccurateRip database. XLD sounds more natural. The source should be "bit perfect" with the MSB its easy to check I play a test file for each sample rate and if its bit perfect the DAC tells me on its display. If your source is not bit perfect you are handicapped from the start. I did not believe in music servers, I do now. However you are right the DAC makes a hell of difference. 
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:02 AM Post #37,129 of 42,298
Photos of the system and of the DAC, dinner is on the table, will post more after
 

 

 
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:09 AM Post #37,130 of 42,298
Thanks - nice pics. Sweet setup.
 
Ever thought about diving into electrostats? The KGSSHV Carbon + SR-009 combination has caught my eye, but I have blown my audio wad on the HD30 upgrade. Maybe next year.
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:09 AM Post #37,131 of 42,298
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:13 AM Post #37,132 of 42,298
Hey Simon,

You have the Chord Dave there as well. How is it?
I don't supose you turn it on when you have MSB.
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:49 AM Post #37,133 of 42,298
badas said:
Hey Simon,

You have the Chord Dave there as well. How is it?
I don't supose you turn it on when you have MSB.
Click to expand...


Dave is good, excellent DAC. Its gone now.
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:56 AM Post #37,134 of 42,298
Some technical photos of the plumbing
 

 

 

 
Apr 5, 2016 at 5:59 AM Post #37,135 of 42,298
DAC inputs + outputs
 

 
Apr 5, 2016 at 6:42 AM Post #37,137 of 42,298
rossliew said:
Awesome pics there! Those power cables are thick as pythons! What power conditioner are you using may I ask?
Click to expand...


Shunyata Triton & Typhon, PC cables are Sigma's Analog, HC for the amps and digital for the source and DAC
 
Apr 5, 2016 at 8:52 AM Post #37,140 of 42,298
isquirrel said:
Photos of the system and of the DAC, dinner is on the table, will post more after
Click to expand...
I'm wondering if your overall set up is any good.

As it doesn't seem to be one that a lot of people have gone with. :).
 
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