Latest Thread Images

PROJECT WA5+++: Power Up! Lets Rock and Roll!
Nov 21, 2016 at 1:15 AM Thread Starter Post #1 of 121
ghhf

ghhf

100+ Head-Fier
Joined
Nov 18, 2016
Posts
132
Likes
23
This thread is about to grow in more contents, just setting an index at the this top post for easy future reference:
 
1. Project WA5+++
2. WA5 Unboxing
3. WA5 First Impression
4. Tube Rolling
    - Tube Register
    - Impression Register
5. Enhancements
    - WA5 Soft-Start & External Power Switch
6. Reference & Discussion
    - Distortion & Measurement



 

No big news, just another Woo WA5 addict taking off (upgrade path WA6 SE -> WA22 -> WA5), that is real stuff to play and real bill to kill ......something very interesting inside the rectangle, no tube upgrade, but it does make a real difference, guess what?!
gs1000.gif



 
Nov 25, 2016 at 11:42 PM Post #5 of 121
jerick70 said:
Congrats! You are going to love the WA5. It will be a jaw dropping experience when you hear it for the first time.
Click to expand...


I have high expectation (in terms of dynamic, solid imaging & relaxing power?) on the WA5, really want to learn how it is doing with the stock tubes, and if that is another dimension at its own against the best possible experience I gained from WA22 fully armed with my most favorite vintage tubes combo.

Will keep this thread rolling with the latest progress, first impression expected in mid Dec ..... Woo! Hoo! Wah! Oh! Yeah!

:beerchug:
 
Nov 26, 2016 at 12:26 PM Post #6 of 121
WA5 is freaking awesome. Would be interested in your impressions when you roll a few tubes. Also interested in any speaker options you try.
 
Nov 26, 2016 at 12:27 PM Post #7 of 121
ghhf said:
I have high expectation (in terms of dynamic, solid imaging & relaxing power?) on the WA5, really want to learn how it is doing with the stock tubes, and if that is another dimension at its own against the best possible experience I gained from WA22 fully armed with my most favorite vintage tubes combo.

Will keep this thread rolling with the latest progress, first impression expected in mid Dec ..... Woo! Hoo! Wah! Oh! Yeah!

beerchug.gif
Click to expand...

 
Tube upgrades are a must.  It takes the WA5 to a higher level.  You don't have to spend big bucks either.  I've had really good success with the Genalex PX300B tubes that you can get for $225 on Ebay.
 
Nov 26, 2016 at 9:08 PM Post #8 of 121
jerick70 said:
Tube upgrades are a must.  It takes the WA5 to a higher level.  You don't have to spend big bucks either.  I've had really good success with the Genalex PX300B tubes that you can get for $225 on Ebay.
Click to expand...



Thanks, the Psvane 300B and 5U4G pairs stock tubes come with my WA5 seems fine, but not sure what brand for the 6SN7 pairs (probably in GE or RCA). I also have some combo tubes sets (signal, power and rectifier) ready for rolling on WA5，will try them throughout by phases.
 
Nov 26, 2016 at 9:20 PM Post #9 of 121
leotis said:
WA5 is freaking awesome. Would be interested in your impressions when you roll a few tubes. Also interested in any speaker options you try.
Click to expand...


I do have a plan trying to learn and get most out of my WA5. The first stage is to have the stock tubes combo running for some 20+ hours (probably 1-2 weeks) for gaining a baseline experience (Woo! Hoo! Wha!).

I would then proceed with tube rolling and evaluate various other add-on accessories/ supporting features tunning the system aligned to my favouite result (Oh! Yeah!).

That would be a long story in stages in the coming months if not years ..... LOL
 
Nov 26, 2016 at 10:26 PM Post #10 of 121
I first heard the WA5 at Cam Jam 2016 and I believe they were using Emmission Labs 300B, Sophia Princess 274B and Sylvania 6SN7GT.
Sounded so fine that I bought one in spite of just having purchased an expensive SS HP amp.
The Woo with tube upgrades sounds so wonderful, I hardly ever listen to the SS amp. :frowning2:
You have a nice pile of headphones. If you get a chance try the Abyss. Works nicely with the WA5.
 
Nov 28, 2016 at 7:57 AM Post #11 of 121
leotis said:
I first heard the WA5 at Cam Jam 2016 and I believe they were using Emmission Labs 300B, Sophia Princess 274B and Sylvania 6SN7GT.
Sounded so fine that I bought one in spite of just having purchased an expensive SS HP amp.
The Woo with tube upgrades sounds so wonderful, I hardly ever listen to the SS amp. :frowning2:
You have a nice pile of headphones. If you get a chance try the Abyss. Works nicely with the WA5.
Click to expand...



Thanks for the idea and sharing your story.

The tube pricing really means something though it may not always directly imply proportional result.

I got similar experience when rolling tubes on WA6 SE and WA22，tube upgrade does make difference and generally I prefer vintage tubes which sound in more "gently smooth & intensively sweet" sonic，IMHO but YMMV. I expect WA5 will be also sensitive to tube rolling，and you just confirmed that.

I do have some nice tube sets (invested in vintage tubes much more than AMPs，don't tell my wife too) ready for rolling on WA5. The stock tubes will serve as test drive configuration and set a baseline impression for reference.

Not much experience in SS AMP (and not likely to get one in future)，my WA5 impression would be basically vs the results between WA5 and that I experienced from WA22, WA6 SE and the STAX 007tii systems.
 
Dec 1, 2016 at 7:45 AM Post #12 of 121
Thanks to Woo's suggestion and arrangement, got my custom-built WA5 configuration finalized, two key components will be upgraded, lovely signal path front & back ends enhancement, now it should be branding WA5++ if not "Woo! Hoo! Wah!" :D
 
Dec 3, 2016 at 7:31 AM Post #13 of 121
About to have my WA5 delivered in next week or so, can't wait to experiment the beauty with two key components enhanced to similar grade at the level of WA234。

Obviously, but not straightforward, check WA234 spec. and guess what to be incorporated in my WA5? Something amazing coming ..... :cool:


 
Dec 4, 2016 at 7:11 AM Post #14 of 121
Long story short, actually I have my WA5 upgraded to WA234 output transformer which is in EI96 Permalloy Core. I also asked for the Seiden 46-position stepped attenuator used by WA234, but it could not be installed in WA5 due to its physical sizing, alternatively, I go with the Alps RK50 Potentiometer and it looks so cool!
 
See pics and now my WA5++ is ready to serve me in the rest of my lifetime! 
o2smile.gif

 


 
Dec 9, 2016 at 7:14 AM Post #15 of 121
Finally, order confirmed, check shopping list for my custom WA5. It also included a SC wires DC cord for WA5, which is unique to WA5 design, that should make some further favorite experience in SQ in addition to output transformer and potentiometer upgrade!

Now it is WA5+++, but what is going to do with the DC cord plugs?!

 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Users who are viewing this thread

Total: 2 (members: 0, guests: 2)
Back
Top