[ALRAINBOW]

I agree with his reviews , as it's all connector anyway but I like his very much.

Al

 

[Sorrodje]

   
Let the flaming begin! 

 

 
 
What's the problem with WA6 ? why would people flame you ? 

 

[Sonido]

The Questyle is like a Chevy Camaro SS. To get a BMW or Mercedes of the same horsepower, you're going to have to spend 2-3 times the cost of the Camaro. But of course the cheaper luxury cars still beat the Camaro in comfort and handling. But if horsepower is all you care about, then the Camaro is a better option for the price. The HD800 is like horsepower in this metaphor.

 

[MickeyVee]

Was kind of kidding 

  WA6 is not discussed very much here. Deleted.  Anyway, been glued to the new setup, it's smoothing out and I'm really enjoying it!
 
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What's the problem with WA6 ? why would people flame you ? 

 

[Maxvla]

I auditioned the Bryston BHA-1, Sennheiser HDVD800 and Naim DAC-V1 in pretty much every configuration.  After 2 1/2 hours, I came to the following conclusion [note this only applies to me - YMMV]

• I found the Bryston BHA-1 way too sharp and extended in the high end for me. Not in a bad way but enough to know that I would be really unhappy with it in the long term.  Mids and lows were sweet but I did not get much of a feeling of soundstage, maybe because the highs were a bother.  Went back to it 2 other times in the session and found the same thing.
• I really, really wanted to like the HDVD800 but to be honest, I had a hard time telling the difference between it and the Naim.  I spent a lot of time going back and forth between the Naim alone, the Senn alone and the Naim as a DAC for the Senn.  If I had to do a blind test, I probably couldn't tell the difference between the setups other than the Senn may have had a touch more air/soundstage and maybe a touch richer in the mids.  If I was starting from scratch and didn't have the Naim, it would be a toss up with the HDVD800 with points going to the Naim with Mac integration and the remote and points going to the Senn with multiple outputs.

I thanked my sales guy who has served me well for almost 20 years and went out empty handed.

As I was about to go home, I recall seeing that the Headfone Shop in Toronto started carrying Woo, specifically the WA6 and WA7.  Thought I'd give the WA7 another listen so headed north. The setup this time was with the foster HPA8 as the DAC feeding the WA6 and WA7.  Gave everything about 1/2 an hour to warm up as I listened and came to the following conclusions.

• Yup, did the right thing selling my original WA7.  Sounded a bit thin and lifeless.  Tried it a couple more times with various songs and came to the same conclusion.
• Only spent a few minutes with the HD800 plugged into the Fostex but long enough to realize that I was dealing with the Naim/Senn scenario again.  Tried it a coupe of more times during the audition.  Really, really nice but I wanted something different.
• Now, the WA6..  :blink:
  
  This is different, not as clean and neutral as everything else, less deep bass extension, good highs with mid bass and mids to die for. Everything from Patricia Barber, Dire Straits to Deadmou5 to Enigma sounded richer and more engaging.  Holy cr@p, everything I've read about the WA6 says no, not bad but nowhere near the ultimate, or even middle of the road for the HD800.  Back and forth between the units, step out for a coffee, come back and the same thing.  Kick butt mid-bass. Could be more precise and cleaner but it's not shy! I really like the WA6! Fun, engaging, forgiving of poorer recordings while providing them some life in the mid-bass and mid-range. Say it isn't so.  OK, read that it really doesn't have enough power to drive the HD800 well.  What? Cant get this thing past 1 o'clock without the ears bleeding and very comfortable at 11 o'clock. Out again for a think and back in with the credit card.  Chinese rectifier, really shouldn't sound this good. Sophia Princess on order.

Sounds like you and I hear things similarly but have vastly different priorities. I owned the WA6 w/Sophia because I was full IEM mode and it was a high quality but zero noise floor amp. After getting HD800s I couldn't wait for my preorder BHA-1 to come in, the WA6 was so boring. When it did come in, it was like I was just now hearing the HD800s for the first time. Highly detailed and much more interesting. The soundstage size difference alone is massive, and I'm not exaggerating. I think the mids of the WA6 is good, but only because the rest is lackluster, so that you notice the mids more. I think the WA6 is an alright amp, but it is polar opposite of a good match for HD800s. All of the HD800s strengths are countered by the WA6 and the strengths of the WA6 is countered by the HD800.

 

[62ohm]

  Well guys & gals, after 5+ hours of driving and auditioning, I ended up with something that I never thought I wound have.  First, let me say that I not a neutral kind of guy and the ultimate of transparency and neutrality is not necessarily for me.
 
I auditioned the Bryston BHA-1, Sennheiser HDVD800 and Naim DAC-V1 in pretty much every configuration.  After 2 1/2 hours, I came to the following conclusion [note this only applies to me - YMMV]

1. I found the Bryston BHA-1 way too sharp and extended in the high end for me. Not in a bad way but enough to know that I would be really unhappy with it in the long term.  Mids and lows were sweet but I did not get much of a feeling of soundstage, maybe because the highs were a bother.  Went back to it 2 other times in the session and found the same thing.
2. I really, really wanted to like the HDVD800 but to be honest, I had a hard time telling the difference between it and the Naim.  I spent a lot of time going back and forth between the Naim alone, the Senn alone and the Naim as a DAC for the Senn.  If I had to do a blind test, I probably couldn't tell the difference between the setups other than the Senn may have had a touch more air/soundstage and maybe a touch richer in the mids.  If I was starting from scratch and didn't have the Naim, it would be a toss up with the HDVD800 with points going to the Naim with Mac integration and the remote and points going to the Senn with multiple outputs.

I thanked my sales guy who has served me well for almost 20 years and went out empty handed.
 
As I was about to go home, I recall seeing that the Headfone Shop in Toronto started carrying Woo, specifically the WA6 and WA7.  Thought I'd give the WA7 another listen so headed north. The setup this time was with the foster HPA8 as the DAC feeding the WA6 and WA7.  Gave everything about 1/2 an hour to warm up as I listened and came to the following conclusions.

1. Yup, did the right thing selling my original WA7.  Sounded a bit thin and lifeless.  Tried it a couple more times with various songs and came to the same conclusion.
2. Only spent a few minutes with the HD800 plugged into the Fostex but long enough to realize that I was dealing with the Naim/Senn scenario again.  Tried it a coupe of more times during the audition.  Really, really nice but I wanted something different.
3. Now, the WA6..  
   
   
   This is different, not as clean and neutral as everything else, less deep bass extension, good highs with mid bass and mids to die for. Everything from Patricia Barber, Dire Straits to Deadmou5 to Enigma sounded richer and more engaging.  Holy cr@p, everything I've read about the WA6 says no, not bad but nowhere near the ultimate, or even middle of the road for the HD800.  Back and forth between the units, step out for a coffee, come back and the same thing.  Kick butt mid-bass. Could be more precise and cleaner but it's not shy! I really like the WA6! Fun, engaging, forgiving of poorer recordings while providing them some life in the mid-bass and mid-range. Say it isn't so.  OK, read that it really doesn't have enough power to drive the HD800 well.  What? Cant get this thing past 1 o'clock without the ears bleeding and very comfortable at 11 o'clock. Out again for a think and back in with the credit card.  Chinese rectifier, really shouldn't sound this good. Sophia Princess on order.

 
If I want neutrality and transparency, the HD800 / Naim DAC-V1 is it.  If I want fun and engaging giving ups a little transparency sub-bass and soundstage, it's the Woo. Oh yes, the WA6 is a really nice match with the RS1i.  Vali on steroids without the ringing and slight roughness. It's good to have choices/variety.
 

 

 
Interesting, I actually preferred the WA3 over WA6 for HD800 (weird, right?). I used to have a plan to get the WA2, then it changed to HDVD800 / BHA-1. After reading your post here, I think my plan changed back to WA2 again..

 

[ALRAINBOW]

We all have plans in life and in buying our heafi stuff Enjoy what ever you buy. And if you find something you like better sell the old and welcome the new .

Al

 

[roguegeek]

The Questyle is like a Chevy Camaro SS. To get a BMW or Mercedes of the same horsepower, you're going to have to spend 2-3 times the cost of the Camaro. But of course the cheaper luxury cars still beat the Camaro in comfort and handling. But if horsepower is all you care about, then the Camaro is a better option for the price. The HD800 is like horsepower in this metaphor.

You're a man after my heart. I've owned three Camaros and am looking for a '68 SS right now.

 

[Sonido]

  You're a man after my heart. I've owned three Camaros and am looking for a '68 SS right now.

I drive a 2012 Camaro.

 

[Frank I]

We all have plans in life and in buying our heafi stuff Enjoy what ever you buy. And if you find something you like better sell the old and welcome the new .

Al

or keep it all

 

[ALRAINBOW]

That is a way too. Lmao.

Al

 

[MickeyVee]

I've already got the [on the warn side] of neutral'ish amp with the detail and soundstage with the Naim DAC-V1. I did find the Bryston really good but the extended highs would have killed me. Same story but opposite sides of the spectrum and now I own both.  Maybe it's my older ears but I'm finding the WA6 more engaging with older recordings. Probably why I also like the RS1i. A little grunge works for me  Like I said in my intro, ultimate transparency and neutrality is not the top priority for me. Maybe it's just the Naim/Woo combo that works for me.  Too many variables in this game.
 
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Don't let my experience/preferences sway you!  I would always suggest an audition. Like I said, I really, really liked the HDVD800 but it was too close to call with the Naim so it didn't make sense.  If I had one of my older setups before the Naim, I would have jumped on the HDVD800.  I was considering the WA22 because of the power and versatility but price, yada, yada would put it out of my reach. The WA22 may still be my end game down the road. I really good for now though.
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[MickeyVee]

I started with an 1984 Camaro then upgraded in 1986 with a T-bar roof which I drove for 10 years.  Would love to get one of the new ones!
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I drive a 2012 Camaro.

 

[Sonido]

 

Get the new Z28.

 

[MickeyVee]

My brother got the new Z28 when it first came out.. the same one as in Transformers. Sweet ride! When he was a teenager, he took my Camaro on dates but won't loan me his new one for a day. Bugger! Now I need to get the new Corvette Stingray!  Ooops, OT.
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Get the new Z28.