WEE - new product from Woo Audio - Page 6

We are talking about transformer design here, something perfected over 100 years.  If Jack had said "we took extra care to minimize inter winding capacitance" or something like that then I'd have no problem with it.  Saying that we did something "mysterious" brings up images in my head of closed boxes with no details of what's inside.  The simple truth here is that this is never a good thing. As for Single Power, that's exactly what Mikhail did.  I would never accuse Woo of building amps like the Single Power mess, the WA2 and WA22 are proof enough to show just how better their amps are (very similar circuit to the legendary Extreme's). 

I think that there is some language issues going on here.

There is nothing 'mysterious' (your quote)...

Jack said "we spent a good amount of time in order to develop the technique and use the right materials to make these transformers. I can tell you that this are the secret ingredients to the WEE".

Not to speak for anyone. Simply stated.. they spent a lot of time on the transformers, and that is what makes the WEE different and unique. 

I can't wait to hear the production unit... 

Cheers,

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeymad 

 

Jack said:

 

"we spent a good amount of time in order to develop the technique and use the right materials to make these transformers. I can tell you that this are the secret ingredients to the WEE".

 

... Simply stated.. they spent a lot of time on the transformers, and that is what makes the WEE different and unique. 

That's a good enough explanation for me.

Transformers are a thing of beauty especially when special attention is given to its construction as well as the materials used. (The Leben CS300XS's transformers come to mind.)

And yes, I agree: I can't wait to listen to a production unit.

Maybe there should be a loan program ... I know a guy with o2 mk1 and kgss ... I would be curious to find out how my 13W CEC + Wee compares to the KGSS. :)

Jack said "we spent a good amount of time in order to develop the technique and use the right materials to make these transformers. I can tell you that this are the secret ingredients to the WEE".

I don't think he was saying this is all a big secret and we don't want you to know how we do it, it seemed more like he meant something on the order of, "...this is the special sauce in our WEE".  Special sauce is a much better choice of words.  

I think everyone that heard the WEE prototype vs SRD-7 Mk2 on the ZDT at the Colorado Meet would agree that the WEE was better than the Stax transformer.  Nobody is saying that these will beat a good direct drive amp, but not many of the inexpensive stat amps out there have the power to drive the SR-007, which a speaker amp with transformer can offer on a budget.

Admittedly this is at the expense of micro-detail and transparency that a direct drive amp is better at, but not everyone can DIY a powerful stat amp or spend $1500 - $5000 to buy one.

There is certainly some language barrier going on here but I always get antsy when something is hidden from view.  Let's just say being in the center of the whole Single Power mess took its toll.    If I did indeed misunderstand Jack then I do apologize for jumping the gun like that.  Jack sent me a PM so we'll talk there. 

This whole thing got sidetracked as the value or role of transformers to drive ESP's was never in question, merely that the high "gain" of these transformers wasn't needed.  Unlike dedicated amps where the higher voltage swing often improves measured and audible performance by leaps and bounds this isn't the case with transformers.  This is besides the whole issue of asking a speaker amp to deal with the impedance presented by the ESP transducers.  I for one like transformers enough to pour money into researching them so that should say something.  Lets just say that 500$ would be a drop in the ocean compared to what I've spent on these things...

I don't see how this is any different than using a headphone with an integrated amp... is it ideal? No... Does it do the job and let you actually use said headphones... yes.

I might get one of these... I would love to be able to use an electrostatic headphone in my house without having to fork over thousands for a proper amp. I hate spending money knowing I am only going to spend more in the future, so the WEE would let me use the STAX while I save up for a BH, KGSS etc etc instead of going from on amp, selling it for an incrementally better one over and over again.

No amp = no stats... its not like my iPod could drive one, ya know?

but the fact the only amp I could use is a 100W power amp has me wondering if I can even use this?

I can deal with "not idea"... to a degree.

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokolov91 

but the fact the only amp I could use is a 100W power amp has me wondering if I can even use this?

 

Yes you can sok - When I had the proto for a demo. I was able to push it with the WA5 (10w) and I hooked it up to my main rig. Which is an 80w solid state amp from Exposure... In either case it did really good... It was different, but it was just presenting the different sounds of the amps...

Cheers,

Quote:

Originally Posted by sokolov91 

I don't see how this is any different than using a headphone with an integrated amp... is it ideal? No... Does it do the job and let you actually use said headphones... yes.

 

 

I might get one of these... I would love to be able to use an electrostatic headphone in my house without having to fork over thousands for a proper amp. I hate spending money knowing I am only going to spend more in the future, so the WEE would let me use the STAX while I save up for a BH, KGSS etc etc instead of going from on amp, selling it for an incrementally better one over and over again.

 

No amp = no stats... its not like my iPod could drive one, ya know?

 

but the fact the only amp I could use is a 100W power amp has me wondering if I can even use this?

 

I can deal with "not idea"... to a degree.

Yeah, just don't turn the volume all the way up.  You wont need more than 3-10 watts, but you'll have more dynamic headroom for transients than someone using a 10 watt amp.

Well the ipod can drive electrostatics, just needs transformers and a self bias supply just like any other amp intended for dynamic transducers.  It would sound terrible but it would work and I've already drawn up a design which does just this.  No external power supply needed. 

As for needing an amp, yes but there are a lot of cheaper alternatives to the WEE if you just want something to power your 'stats.  I also don't think it is fair to the WEE to class it as the "cheapest way to get your ESP's to work" when it is clearly not the case.  A normal bias SRM-1 Mk2 is dirt cheap and you can fully refurbish it and add the built in pro bias supply for 40$.  The SRM-323A is by far the best low cost amp in production and the SRM-252A is also very good. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by spritzer 

Well the ipod can drive electrostatics, just needs transformers and a self bias supply just like any other amp intended for dynamic transducers.  It would sound terrible but it would work and I've already drawn up a design which does just this.  No external power supply needed. 

 

As for needing an amp, yes but there are a lot of cheaper alternatives to the WEE if you just want something to power your 'stats.  I also don't think it is fair to the WEE to class it as the "cheapest way to get your ESP's to work" when it is clearly not the case.  A normal bias SRM-1 Mk2 is dirt cheap and you can fully refurbish it and add the built in pro bias supply for 40$.  The SRM-323A is by far the best low cost amp in production and the SRM-252A is also very good. 

Cheapest way for those who can't DIY? Thats what I meant. A lot of people simply don't want the hassle, or can't, or both.

I would not trust myself to refurbish an amp or add anything to it... At this point anyways.... I dream to one day build my own B22 and KGSS, but I need to learn how electricity works first LOLOLOL

Are there people you can commission to do the refurbishing?  If it is cheaper and better I am very interested.
 

The Stax service in North-America is worse than useless but any capable DIY'er could refurbish a SRM-1 Mk2 easily.  It's just a matter of replacing 4 electrolytic caps (3*100uf/400V and 1*470v/35V) and adjusting the DC balance/offset.  Don't know anybody who does this but any tech should be able to do it. 
 

I wait very impatient for the first comparisons WEE to the SRD pro. I make seldom and weird experience as I compare SRD7 MK2 / Accuphase E-406V  to my both dedicated SRM-717 and Diablo eStat 500 (+-500V HighAmp, indiv. config). Using O2.

Strange, because I have everytime the impression, the sound of SRD and 406V (2 x 180 W at 8 Ohm) not only matches that one of dedicated amp, it sounds simply better! More dynamics, more impact, more air, better and larger the soundstage. ??? I cannot recognize my 007A! I have these two rigs in two rooms so I do not compare directly. But my musician memory said to me everytime, yes everytime! - the no-dedicated combo sounds better! My brain responses: You are crazy!

Should I believe to my ears or to contrary opinion in this thread? I noticed it was no any distortion audible at high output levels at SRD. If WEE works even better, then...!?

Then probably I will sell my dedicated amps...

For me a theory is not so important as a practice. Please, make many many opinions to WEE vs SRD. Thanks!

Quote:

Originally Posted by soundoholic 

I wait very impatient for the first comparisons WEE to the SRD pro. I make seldom and weird experience as I compare SRD7 MK2 / Accuphase E-406V  to my both dedicated SRM-717 and Diablo eStat 500 (+-500V HighAmp, indiv. config). Using O2.

Strange, because I have everytime the impression, the sound of SRD and 406V (2 x 180 W at 8 Ohm) not only matches that one of dedicated amp, it sounds simply better! More dynamics, more impact, more air, better and larger the soundstage. ??? I cannot recognize my 007A! I have these two rigs in two rooms so I do not compare directly. But my musician memory said to me everytime, yes everytime! - the no-dedicated combo sounds better! My brain responses: You are crazy!

Should I believe to my ears or to contrary opinion in this thread? I noticed it was no any distortion audible at high output levels at SRD. If WEE works even better, then...!?

Then probably I will sell my dedicated amps...

For me a theory is not so important as a practice. Please, make many many opinions to WEE vs SRD. Thanks!

I'm looking forward to hearing reports of the WEE 'from the wild' myself.   If there are no problems (noisy transformers, gain problems, etc) and the SQ is comparable to what you get from a dedicated amp this could be a very worthwhile product. 

With a ratio of 1:25 you will not have any gain issues.  I use transformers with a far lower ratio and a 10W T-amp has no problem driving them to earsplitting levels.