What headphones work best with the WA2 - Page 2

great info Rizlaw.

i have to agree on the 990s.  they are pretty magical out of the woo otl's.

im not sure if they could sound better

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rawrbington 

@Draygonn, with the HE500 did you ever find the WA2 just wasn't enough to really drive them?  i'd hate to drop 600$ or so on the he500 or even more on the LCD2 if they are just too power hungry.

cause i think the wa2 is only about 400 mW at 40 ohms or so

With 5998's they sounded very good for the hour or so I had them.  I don't know all the technical stuff but someone mentioned the 5998's have twice the gain of the stock 6080's which your numbers might be using.  IIRC you are using 5998s so you should be fine. Amazon has a 30 day return policy and if you buy from HiFiMan directly they have a 30 day return policy as well.

^Congratulations. The WA2 will mate well with most headphones if you prefer (as I do) warm and natural to cold and "neutral". Actually though, WA2 it isn't really by far the warmest sounding tube amp out there. It can be very nice and airy, especially with LCD-2/3 and HE500

I have the WA2's little brother, the WA3.  While the WA2 bests the WA3 in every category, they do share sonic similarities.  I love the WA3 and HD600 combo.  It is very musical.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Csericks 

I have just "pulled the trigger" on the purchase of my new WA2. I plan on using this amp with my HD600s until I can upgrade to T1s. In communicating with Jack regarding my wants and needs he said:
"The WA2 and HD600 are my personal favorite combo. It produces a deep, big
sound. The mid-range and tremble are warm and natural."
I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of my WA2

Quote:

Originally Posted by hodgjy 

I have the WA2's little brother, the WA3.  While the WA2 bests the WA3 in every category, they do share sonic similarities.  I love the WA3 and HD600 combo.  It is very musical.
 

 

i agree 100%.

and its not imediately obvious to the novice headphone amp shopper.

but they do sound very very very much alike.

the wa3 is a fine fine amp.

Hi Folks,

A little bump for this thread because I'm close to pulling the trigger on a WA2 and have exactly the same question. I listen to mostly 20th century small chamber music as well as solo piano music and I thought the Q701's would work. I've been told, however, that they are not recommended with the WA2. So now I'm leaning towards the HD600's or HD650's.

Budget sort of aside, are they the best choices for my preferred genre?

PS

I posted my headphone/amp quest yesterday but put it into the wrong forum!

http://www.head-fi.org/t/604734/help-picking-classical-music-nirvana#post_8291882

Thanks for all and any advice!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warpkitty 

I listen to mostly 20th century small chamber music as well as solo piano music and I thought the Q701's would work. I've been told, however, that they are not recommended with the WA2.

I enjoy my WA2 with the K 702 and Audeze LCD-2.  Plenty of power and a nice truthful and slightly warm presentation.  I prefer the WA2 with the K 702 over all my other amps -- a very good synergy in my opinion.

I prefer the Sennheisers with a SS amp, you can try the T1's with your WA2. They work nice together. 

Of all the headphones I've had so far. For the last year or so I've been extremely impressed with my JVC DX1000 mated to the WA2.

It seems I have not posted the fabolous combination of 

WA2 + LCD-3 = FABOLOUS COMBO

WA2 + LCD-2 rev.1 is also great.

The WA2 gives a lot of air and separation to the LCDs. I do not find the stereotype warm tube sound in this combo, but a sweet and airy sound with an extremely well defined soundstage

Quote:

Originally Posted by WilCox 

 

I enjoy my WA2 with the K 702 and Audeze LCD-2.  Plenty of power and a nice truthful and slightly warm presentation.  I prefer the WA2 with the K 702 over all my other amps -- a very good synergy in my opinion.

That's encouraging as I quite like the Q701's I listened too. How are you driving the WA2? The Audeze look interesting as well, but I think they may weigh too much for me.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warpkitty 

 

That's encouraging as I quite like the Q701's I listened too. How are you driving the WA2? The Audeze look interesting as well, but I think they may weigh too much for me.
 

 

I drive my WA2 with either a Bel Canto DAC3 or a PS Audio Digital Link III.  Source is a Squeezebox Touch.  I don't find the weight of the LCD-2 to be a problem, but some people have.  I've been riding a motorcyle (with helmet) for decades so I'm used to having extra weight on my head. 
 

I was thinking of a Bel Canto DAC as well, but for the moment I'll be using my Edirol FA-66.

Well I actually went ahead and bought a pair of Sennheiser HD600s since the are supposed to be good for classical music ... couldn't audition them so I've had to go on the word of others. Hope it works out with the Woo!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Warpkitty 

I was thinking of a Bel Canto DAC as well, but for the moment I'll be using my Edirol FA-66.

 

Well I actually went ahead and bought a pair of Sennheiser HD600s since the are supposed to be good for classical music ... couldn't audition them so I've had to go on the word of others. Hope it works out with the Woo!

Good choice!  I have HD 580s and HD 650s and they are a great match for the WA2.  I'm sure you will enjoy the Senns.