WA5 K1000 connector with LCD-3 and balanced cable - Page 2

Thats one expensive subwoofer pre-amp....

To those of you who use an LCD-2, HE-6, and AKG K-1000 with a WA5, what have you to say about the numerous Headphonia reviews which say the LCD and HE-6 doesn't sound that good on the WA5? And there is one very recent review slamming the AKG K-1000 pretty bad no matter what the amp, and they tried it on a lot of high end amps, including the WA5SE.

I was looking to upgrade my headphones so I went with the Beyerdynamic T-1s, as they seem to be a safe bet with a WA5SE. I was also looking to get a K-1000, but for that kind of money, I could probably get a set of HD800s, and a whole lotta people would love to have both!

Maybe that the LCD-2 or HE-6 don't sound up to their potential on a WA5, as they do on better optimized amps?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clevor 

To those of you who use an LCD-2, HE-6, and AKG K-1000 with a WA5, what have you to say about the numerous Headphonia reviews which say the LCD and HE-6 doesn't sound that good on the WA5? And there is one very recent review slamming the AKG K-1000 pretty bad no matter what the amp, and they tried it on a lot of high end amps, including the WA5SE.

 

I was looking to upgrade my headphones so I went with the Beyerdynamic T-1s, as they seem to be a safe bet with a WA5SE. I was also looking to get a K-1000, but for that kind of money, I could probably get a set of HD800s, and a whole lotta people would love to have both!

 

Maybe that the LCD-2 or HE-6 don't sound up to their potential on a WA5, as they do on better optimized amps?

I am curious you mention a "WA5SE" what Woo amp is this. As far as the WA5 both HE6/LCD2 sounds fantastic with this amp!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Audiogalore 

I am curious you mention a "WA5SE" what Woo amp is this. As far as the WA5 both HE6/LCD2 sounds fantastic with this amp!

 The WA5SE is the acronym for the all out version: the WA5 Special Edition with all the upgrades from Woo (Blackgates, V-Caps, etc.). It's quite disconcerting to spend such $$$$ on a killer amp with power to run any headphone in existence, but Headphonia (and some other sources) say the amp runs best with a T1 or HD800. I'd try an LCD-3 or HE-6 if I could return it, except places that sell audiophile equipment don't accept returns unless the item is unopened, and even then, charge a restocking fee. Trying to find someplace that also does this with power conditioners, so if you find it doesn't make any diff, you can return it.

I can confirm that the WA22 (with the right tubes) is a fantastic amp for the LCD-3s. So based on that I would think that the WA5 / 5LE to be that much better.

I used to have a WA5 (fully maxed out with tubes upgrades) and it's a really bad match for orthos, particularly the HE-6.  LCD-2 was too muddy on the amp.  You'd be a lot better off with a much cheaper amp that is more suitable for orthos than $4000+ on a WA5.  The amp is a lot better on HD800s and Beyer T1.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumbleripper 

 

 

Now *that* is my kinda porn!

When can I come stay the weekend?

:)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumbleripper 

I don't own the HE-6 or the AKG K-1000, but do own the LCD-2 and 3. I don't know who is saying that these headphones sound bad on the WA5. To my ears they sound quite amazing and have no regrets with this pairing. I also own the WA22 which sounded very good with both LCD's. The WA5 just sounds better.

As for the HE-6, K1000, HD800 or T1, I really cannot comment on their synergy (or lack thereof) with the WA5 as I personally have not heard them with my amp. I am trying to purchase a used pair of HE-6's or HD800's to try and will report back my impressions if I do manage to score on of those headphones.

After talking with MacedonianHero I think I am leaning more towards the HD800's over the HE-6's as they would match better with the LCD-3's.

Will see.

 

Rumble
 

 

Rumble,  I agree with your statement 100% my LCD2 with my WA5 sound fantastic!  By the way shoot me a PM if you are still interested in a mint like new conditioned HD800.

Enjoy music!

Quote:

Originally Posted by monsieurguzel 

I used to have a WA5 (fully maxed out with tubes upgrades) and it's a really bad match for orthos, particularly the HE-6.  LCD-2 was too muddy on the amp.  You'd be a lot better off with a much cheaper amp that is more suitable for orthos than $4000+ on a WA5.  The amp is a lot better on HD800s and Beyer T1.

 I might add that the Headphonia review said the WA5 isn't alone in this respect; that a couple of highly regarded tube amps don't excel with orthos. They mentioned the Manley 300B, Zana Deux, and Minute 45. I would think the Cary 300 SEI might also fall in that category. Not bad company at all.

On a side note, I'd heard skeptics bash the WA5 as a speaker amp, and a lot of audiophiles pooh-pooh Klipsch as PA speakers, but I've been listening the last two weeks on my WA5SE hooked up to Klipsch Heresy III speakers, and darn if I might forego using headphones anymore! Because I'm getting incredible detail, clarity, and resolution at low volumes. I've been testing these speakers out by trying out the worse Redbook CDs I have, and the tracks sound terrific. In fact, my Beyerdynamic T1s arrived the same time as my Heresy speakers, but I've only spent 3 hours on the headphones. The Heresy IIIs are highly efficient speakers at 99 dBA, and if I can get this kind of listening pleasure at low volumes, I can forego headphones. I think what helps is the WA5SE being, as Headphonia put it, wired for gain, with zero grain. I'm using an Oppo BDP-95 universal player for my DACs, hooked directly up to the WA5SE. The Oppo is known for a low noise floor, and to skeptics, well, it has been rated A+ by Stereophile mag as an SACD player. Since I'm so happy with the WA5SE as a speaker amp, I won't bother to own several sets of headphones. I can always switch between headphones and speakers for variety, or if I get bored with one or the other.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rumbleripper 

I don't know who is saying that these headphones sound bad on the WA5. To my ears they sound quite amazing and have no regrets with this pairing. I also own the WA22 which sounded very good with both LCD's.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Clevor 

I might add that the Headphonia review said the WA5 isn't alone in this respect; that a couple of highly regarded tube amps don't excel with orthos.

It might be personal preferences at work but I would think that tube selection has to be a part of this as well. I know that it took me a while to sort that out with my WA22/LCD rev.1, especially finding a tube combo that works well with other headphones (HD800) as well. Once you nail the tubes the LCD orthos light right up IMO.

Drooling, nice pics and impression Rumbleripper. I, too, have great sonic result with the WA5LE and LCD2 R2, they are great combo. If someone would buy my WA5LE locally, I will order a WA5 right the way, anyone?

I suggest you try a real speaker amp over getting a WA5 LE.  A properly designed speaker amp will outshine something like a WA5 which is designed primariliy as a headphone amp that happens to have enough power to drive high efficiency speakers.  There's tons of wonderful used equipment out there on audiogon that will be much better matched for whatever speakers you intend to use.  That is unless you're dieing to have 300B tubes amps driving your speakers.

I personally moved from the WA5 LE to a set of Atma Sphere M60 monoblock amps and there is litterally no comparison in how much of an improvement it made on my Zu Soul Superfly speakers.  The S30 is a stereo amp that would probably be in a more reasonable price range when buying used.
 

Quote:

Originally Posted by dannie01 

Drooling, nice pics and impression Rumbleripper. I, too, have great sonic result with the WA5LE and LCD2 R2, they are great combo. If someone would buy my WA5LE locally, I will order a WA5 right the way, anyone?