Mad Ear+ HD vs Woo Audio 6 - Page 2

I own or have owned the Mapletree Ear+ HD, Mapletree Super II and Woo Audio WA6. My impressions:

WA6: Best amp with HD650, good with RS1 as well. It's the most SS-like of the three -- very fast, with quick but less impactful bass. Warm but not overly so.

Ear+ HD: Best amp (by far) with RS1, adequate with HD650. The quintessential tube amp sound -- very pleasant (but not overly rolled off) highs, with very deep and impactful bass. HD650s sound a tad too warm and slow for my tastes. RS1s are absolutely perfect.

Super II: Splits the difference between the two. Warmer than the WA6, but quicker than the Ear+ HD. Very good with HD650 and RS1, and incredible with T1s.

So, it's kind of a tough call. I sold the WA6 when I decided that I preferred the RS1 to the HD650s. Good luck with your decision.

In the interest of full disclosure, I sold my WA6 before I owned the DT880/600s, so anything I say about that combination is extrapolation. Nevertheless, I'd say your decision should be based on your opinion of the Beyers. Do you like their neutrality, detailed highs and deep and precise (but not particularly impactful) bass? If so, I'd say Woo would be a great choice that really plays to the inherent strength of your cans. On the other hand, would you like to compensate somewhat for the DT880's lack of bass impact and perhaps shave some of the hotness off of the treble? The Ear+ HD would be a better choice, then.

Personally, I loved the DT880/600 and Ear+ HD combination and recommend it highly. I only sold my DT880s because I got a smashing deal on a pair of T1s.

I own the MAD Ear+ Purist HD and it's great with my DT880 600ohm and HF-2. I'd say go for the MAD if you can. Afterall, I generally don't see anyone saying there is a better amp for the Grado RS-1 than the MAD 

Both are fantastic. HD650 being better with the WA6, RS1 with the Ear+. DT880 are fantastic with both fwir. I would personally just get the cheaper one. WA6 is built a lot better, but the Ear+ is supposed to be just magical with the RS1. 

Quote:

Originally Posted by matthewh133 

Sorry for the double post, but your advice is great and I got one more question for you :P I saw you compare the Super II to the normal Ear+ HD. Is there really a huge difference? I know someone who might be selling me an Ear+ but it's the "Purist" one when it still had one input for the headphones.

The difference between the Ear+ HD and the Super II is subtle but noticeable.

I bought the Super II for three reasons: passive preamp with three switchable inputs; better tube rolling possibilities with EL84s instead of more obscure 12BH4s; and separate power supply, with the hopes that the resulting amp would have increased power to bridge the gap between the very tube-sounding Ear+ HD and the more SS-like WA6. Again, the difference is subtle, but it's certainly there -- especially with the HD650s.

As far as the Purist designation goes, I'm not sure what else Dr. Peppard changed when he went to the Ear+ HD name. I'd like to know, actually.

Why is the Bottlehead S.E.X. never mentioned a long with these two amps, it seems as if it could be a contender?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Olias of Sunhillow 

In the interest of full disclosure, I sold my WA6 before I owned the DT880/600s, so anything I say about that combination is extrapolation. Nevertheless, I'd say your decision should be based on your opinion of the Beyers. Do you like their neutrality, detailed highs and deep and precise (but not particularly impactful) bass? If so, I'd say Woo would be a great choice that really plays to the inherent strength of your cans. On the other hand, would you like to compensate somewhat for the DT880's lack of bass impact and perhaps shave some of the hotness off of the treble? The Ear+ HD would be a better choice, then.

 

Personally, I loved the DT880/600 and Ear+ HD combination and recommend it highly. I only sold my DT880s because I got a smashing deal on a pair of T1s.

I've got to second the MAD Ear+HD and 600 ohm beyer headphones. Simply amazing with both my DT880/600s (now sold) and my T1s.

With the 12AX7 driver tube, the volume dial never passes 12 o'clock (and its very loud at that setting) and sonically the T1s just sing.