Woo3 Modified - Page 12

A little off topic

I just joined up after months of lurking, and I wanted to thank all you guys for all the audio help I have recieved from reading the posts here. Sites like these a truly a godsend for gathering information on buying headphones and amps and cables etc... although my wallet is a little thinner because of it, its awesome to have purchased my gear after reading all the posts relating to the Woo 3. I was hesitant at first but after reading posts from the likes of highflyin9 and jamato8, I knew I had to have it. It should be here tomorrow, and I cant wait to hook up my RS2's and sit back and enjoy! I'm already searching for different tubes! LOL! Anyways, thanks again for all the insight gentlemen.

Also...

Any suggestions on the best way to hook up an Ipod G5 to the woo3? I have heard conflicting opinions on the headphone jack vs. line out..

Thanks!

Always use the line out, and use a good interconnect cable (Radio/Shack Gold at a minimum, or a custom made silver clad copper is better).

If you use the headphone jack then you go through the cheap source circuitry which degrades the sound.

TurboDock II on the way. Plus Cardas mini.

Woo 3 Modified - 6BZ7 Tubes Hum Resolved

Re: the various posts reporting the hum in many of the 6BZ7/6BQ7 tubes - I recently bought a pair to give them a try... and experienced the same hum right out of the box and warmed up.

I noticed the tubes were somewhat loose in their sockets compared to the stock tubes. I thought the hum might be due to some type of poor connection, or ground problem with the seating of the tubes. I tried reseating them, and switching them back and forth - still heard the hum.

Then I carefully spread each prong on each tube just a fraction, to create more friction between the prongs and socket... and I applied some Pro Gold Contact Cleaner/Enhancer (Walker SST would likely work better)... reinserted the tubes in their sockets and let them warm up.

"Voila" - the hum was gone. I don't know whether it was the improved fit, or the burn-in of the tubes, or both... whatever, it resolved the hum problem.

Try it and see if it works for you - because these tubes do have a pretty good sound for a bargain price ($1.50 to $6.00 (tested/matched) / tube). They seem to have a bit more dynamic sound - faster, brighter, more detail, and perhaps a bit more bass slam than the stock tubes - although, perhaps just a bit leaner sound (when still not fully burnt-in)... than the Amperex 6922's.

Just a suggestion for those who may have had the hum problem with the 6BZ7/6BQ7 tubes (or perhaps any tube).

GF2

Nosing around inside the Woo this weekend, I noticed that my model has a few differences from some photos that others have posted of the unmodified amp. Gone are the photoflash capacitors (replaced with all Rubycon), and also the large brown (noise filtering?) cap from the rear of the unit.

Anyone notice any other changes? FYI, mine was built in December of 05...

Thanks! I tried some 6BZ7s in my new (to me) Woo3 three and had MAJOR humm. I then remembered your post, spread the pins just a bit and the humm was no more. I wonder how that works?

Any recommendations for best brand of 6BZ7s. Mine are Sylvania and sound very good...

Best,

Paul

Woo3 Schematic?

Hi,

Does anyone have or know the link to a schematic for the Woo? My W3 is about a year old...

I feel the urge to tweak coming on

Thanks,

Paul

6BZ7's and Hum

Glad it worked for you too.

I think spreading the pins improves the contact, and ground of the tubes - just a guess.

Be very careful spreading the pins - although I was very careful/gentle I still cracked the glass on one of my tubes.

But it works.

I took John's suggestion to get the GE 6BZ7's - and they do sound good - solid bass, warm mids, and detailed, extended highs. I have no idea how they compare to the Sylvanias. But the advantage of the 6BZ7 is... it's cheap... so you can try other brands and see, which sounds best, without spending too much on tubes.

GF2

I found some Russian military tubes of the 70s that are great for me.

They have the rocket symbol on them as a military designation

Wonderful clarity and make the music come alive.

Bought a bunch.

Did you buy them online? Any chance of sharing the source?

Thanks a lot,

Paul

I bought them on ebay. One problem is the older Russian 6N1P tubes have a different bias and voltage than the regular 6DJ8. Also, different makes of Russian military tubes can sound different, sometimes just slightly so. I do not recommend non-military Russian tubes of modern manufacture.

I got Russian Saratov military tubes of the early 70s - liked them - then bought some more - waiting for 80 more to come in from overseas after my check clears (takes forever).

They work like a charm in my preamp - better than Amperex, Mullard, etc. Clarity is superb with 3-D tone images that stand out from one another in pinpoint focus in the soundstage (with a good CD).

My Tesla tubes are detailed but a little too hard in the preamp.

A Russian similar (but not Saratov) Russian military tube works also great in my preamp but this tube is too soft, with slightly blurred tone images in the G&W headphone amp. The Saratovs work better here than the non-Saratov Russian military tubes. However, the Tesla tubes, which are hard in the preamp, are great in the G&W T2.6F - not hard at all.

Point is, different tubes are best in different amps - a tube can stink in one amp and shine in another.

Amperex and Mullard are good in general but can be bettered by less well known tubes in certain applications.

It is as (or more) important to get the right tubes as it is to get the right amp, and you will know when you get both together.

Stock tubes that come with new amps are usually not the best for that amp.

Depends also on your tastes.

On Tube Tweak

Aloha,

I have recently received my WA3 and am breaking it in. The unit came with Phillips 6922 and GE 6080. I installed the unit into my primary stereo system as a preamp. Am using DIY open baffles with 4" Fostex FE107E full range drivers, JVC DVD player for source and Dyanco ST35 as the amp. I was amazed at the open transparency, focus of sound stage and depth of the image. There is clarity and much space between the various instruments and the vocals are realistic.

OK, I did buy the WA3 for a set of Senn HD650s. But I am going to wait a while to breakin the unit before trying them this weekend. Meanwhile the music is enjoyable and one is able to listen to great detail without fatigue.

After some 15 hours and acclimation to the sound and tonality of the WA3, I found the music too subdued and laid back, and noted that the punch and slam with certain instruments was not there when I was listening intently. I experimented with copper foil tape around the bases of the 6922 and 6080 tubes. This does mimic the older metal base tubes. The dynamics picked up and I got back a small degree of gongfu slam and punch. Much better music tonality. Have any of you tried this?

len

I've had a WA3 for around one year but I still haven't connected it to my to Rotel amp hear how it sounds with my B&W speakers. I'll get around to it some lazy Saturday I guess...should sound good.

You could try some NOS driver tubes and tailer the sound of the Woo3 to your liking.

The power tube is not in the circuit with the RCA out.