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Woo Audio WA2 & Sennheiser HD 800 Synergy

post #1 of 21
8/9/09 at 12:34am
Thread Starter 
Just got the HD 800 today.
I am seriously thinking about a fully loaded WA2 (blackgate caps, upgraded tubes, etc.) I have talked to Jack and he was helpful. We are already
talking close to $2000, so I want to get this decision right. I want to pull the trigger asap as there is a four week wait, but I would like some feedback and guidance first on this combination.

There are a few threads with even fewer comments on this subject.
Most are just guesses based on design and specs.
I have tried to get some feedback from fellow head fi folks
and they have been helpful but there is
very little specific experience out there with this combo.
If anything, I have been told to be very weary as the HD 800
has a rep already (rumors?) to be hard to drive and the WA2 design does not seem like a good fit based on specs and design.

From other comments and threads, the WA2 can
surprisingly drive most low impedance cans well without exception.
I am surprised that a 300 ohm set of cans would be tough.
I understand that there are other design keys that can greatly
effect the sound beyond impedence.

Without going to much into my taste and needs,
the following might help.
I like all kinds of music.
I listen to rock very loud.
I like tight detailed slammy bass.
I like rich detailed vocals - especially female.
I love live recordings where you can really get
a sense of the venue and spacing between musicians.

Can anyone further comment on this combo?
Real experience of course will help greatly.
Thanks!

RSY
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post #2 of 21
8/9/09 at 4:34pm
The Woo2 is OTL, it's meant for high impedance phones like HD800, it is not transformer coupled...

Here's what one person said about the WA2 at Canjam - not sure if it's with HD800 but it's the closest I can get for now...

"WA22 and other Woo amps: Fantastic amp, I loved it. I still liked the WA5 better though. I tried most of the Woo lineup. It was the second time I heard the WA6SE and it was still fantastic. If anyone wants a ~$1000 amp, this is the one I would recommend. I tried the WA2 and did not like it as much as the WA6SE but this is probably because of the type of music I listen to. If you just listen to classical, you may prefer the WA2. I assumed that the WA22 was a balanced version of the WA2, because of the name, so I was pretty surprised on how much more I liked it than the WA2. However, after talking to Jack, I learned that WA22's circuit is closer to the WA6SE. Anyway, I really liked the WA22. "
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post #3 of 21
8/9/09 at 6:37pm
For $2000, you should try WA22. Jack himself told me WA22 is better than WA2. I listen to from female vocal to hard rock, love drum and some classical.
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post #4 of 21
8/9/09 at 9:05pm
i thought the WA22 + HD800 sounded very good together. did not do any extended listening, but what i heard (my own music too) was nice. would definitely consider it if i didn't already have a quality balanced amp.
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post #5 of 21
8/10/09 at 7:12am
I had Woo 2 and I was using it with HD800 and K701. I've also tried it with GS1000 and SR325i and HD650.

It has extraordinary synergy with HD650. With K701 it is also really great - but lacks some dynamics and power especially in bass range. GS1000 and SR325i was driven not so bad, but even SOHA II with transformer output can drive them better. It is OTL amp so as Scootermafia said it should be paired with higher impedance cans.

With HD800 also was good but not very good. In my opinion even with HD800 300Ohms (in maximum point on the impedance chart they have even almost 700Ohms btw) there is a lack of dynamics and power.

6080 and 5998 power tubes can have up to ~140 mA anode current whichs is far way less than for example IMHO best power tube for OTL - 6C33C which is able to work even at 600mA.

It is great tube, it's still a tube but is almost like transformer.

The lack of dynamics and drive ability was fixed on Zana Deux and in my opinion it's better choice.

Even better is not known on this forum still in experimental stage - but will be available in a few months polish hi-end projet WBA Sensauris. 650mA on Zana Deux vs 800mA on Sensauris for 300 Ohms.

It uses the same as in Zana power tubes 2 x 6C33C-B and E88CC as driver. Rectifers are not implemented as tubes but as transistors (like Zana Deux Transformer).

I even like more HD800 with Zana and Sensauris than some SET 300B/2A3 transformer output based amplifiers.
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post #6 of 21
8/10/09 at 9:08pm
Did you use SE or balanced input and output?
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post #7 of 21
8/11/09 at 4:07am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Seamaster View Post
Did you use SE or balanced input and output?
Al those amps (Woo 2, Zana Deux, WBA Sensauris) are SE.
Some time ago I been using RudiStor NX33 and balanced cans.
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post #8 of 21
8/11/09 at 4:37am
Will post more detailed impressions in a little while but, to my ears, the WA2 does not lack any dynamics. I suspect though it all depends on what sound you are after - for example when I had the K1000 and used it with an Almarro A318B (6C33C amp) it was too forward and fatiguing. With an EL34 based PrimaLuna amp it was much better and more pleasing to the ears. With the HD800's neutrality and ability to convery an amp's character, I think similar notions apply in that if you prefer a smoother, non-fatiguing sound you may well find the WA2 ideal. If you need something more punchy and Grado-ish, another amp may be your meal ticket.
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post #9 of 21
8/11/09 at 5:18am
I moved from WA2 to Sensauris also because the second one - Sensauris has more non-fatiguing character, smoother but with noticable better dynamics than on Woo 2.
For me in direct comparison Sensauris is just stronger - it's clearly obvious because of current output power of power tubes used in both amps. Internal impedancy of Sensauris circuit is 20 Ohm btw.

Personally I have lost almost a year in searching of a good system for GS1000 to make them sound "proper for me". I've tried a lotsss of equipment and DIY projects but without good results. I just dislike Grado-ish sound signature and prefer way more balanced sound of for example K701, HD800, AKG K340, Yamaha YH100, or Omegas.

I just like HD800 on both Zana Deux and Sensauris. The best source for them I've tried was Metronome Technologie C1A but it is too expensive for me.
Metronome technologie - Manufacturer of high-end CD Player, Transport, Converter, Amplifier

For me WA 2 lacks dynamics (in comparison to Sensauris and Zana) and doesn't drive proper 32Ohms Grados and also I feel this with HD800 (Woo 2 vs Sensauris and Zana) ans 32Ohms Grados (Woo 2 vs Sensauris).

Anyway it's superb amplifier, my best buy and way better than previous Yamamoto HA-02 and RudiStor NX33.
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post #10 of 21
8/12/09 at 8:30am
I find the HD800 and the WA2 to be a wonderful pairing with excellent dynamics and reserves of power. My WA2 is a recent production (July 2009) maxed-out version and it drives the HD800 effortlessly with a non-fatiguing, 3-dimensional presentation that you can listen to for hours on end. In my opinion, the HD800/WA2 is in the same league as my reference Stax SR-007/SRM-717 system.
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post #11 of 21
9/4/09 at 7:04pm
Its been said over and over again that the HD800 loves balanced amps. The WA2 is not balanced. The WA22 is and IMO would be a better choice. To put my money where my mouth is, check my last post because I'm attempting to part with my Woo 6 to help fund a WA22 purchase. I have not heard this combo yet and am as interested in it as you. If I get mine first I'll let you know what I think.
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post #12 of 21
9/4/09 at 9:03pm
If it doesn't have to be a tube amp, then have a look at the Audio-GD Phoenix @ 1200USD. Should be a great match for the HD800 I've been told.
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post #13 of 21
9/5/09 at 12:53am
i thought the phoenix sounded very average with the 800.
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post #14 of 21
9/5/09 at 6:05am
I thought the Phoenix was pretty close to the B22 in a direct a/b comparison pairing with the HD800.
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post #15 of 21
9/6/09 at 12:39pm
Ive also been looking at the right WooAudio amp for a pair of HD 800's.
My first thought was the WA22 but, Im not really sure if I'll be able to find enough money to make the whole chain balanced and that does feel like a requirement if its gonna be worth it.
Second thought was the WA6SE/WA2 anyone that knows who these compare?
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