[Elephas]

The W5000+Raptor is more congested and closed-in than either the HA5000 or Zana Deux. Soundstage is much smaller. Both the HA5000 and ZD have better sense of air, imaging and separation, as well as larger headstages and virtual soundstages. The Raptor has the strongest bass impact, but it is also boomier, muddier and not as textured. The HA5000 has the least amount of bass. The ZD is the most refined.

I've been using the HA5000 with AT's and Sonys and the Raptor with Senns, Grados and the K701 for a long time, more than two years. I recently acquired a Zana Deux and after several weeks of listening, I'm very pleased with it. Now, I can replace both the HA5000 and Raptor with the ZD. The ZD performs significantly better than the Raptor with AT's and Grados. With Senns and the K701, they are closer but I prefer the ZD.

If the choice is either the Raptor or ZD for the W5000, I would definitely save up some more and go for the ZD.

One good thing about the ZD is that its tubes are not very expensive. The five tubes I'm using on the ZD are much cheaper than the three on the Raptor.

One bad thing about the ZD is heat. It is very hot, I'm worried about air conditioning bills during the summer.

 

[tensaichen]

I've owned JimP's HA5000 since a few months ago, using it to drive W5000 and AD2000.

Using CA 840c as DAC or source.

 

[Wildsurfer]

I'm having a hard time understanding why there's so much love for the HA-5000.
When I plugged the w5000 in the ha-5000 it litterally sounded like crap to me. Even my aria sounded better. The Sugden Headmaster is a far better amp for the w5000 imho.

 

[Elephas]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildsurfer /img/forum/go_quote.gif When I plugged the w5000 in the ha-5000 it litterally sounded like crap to me.

Hmm, literally sounded like crap...

Do you mean the grunting sounds coming out of the mouth, the wet, sliding, sucking noise as it exits the body, or the splash and plopping sound when it hits the water?

 

[2deadeyes]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wildsurfer /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'm having a hard time understanding why there's so much love for the HA-5000. When I plugged the w5000 in the ha-5000 it litterally sounded like crap to me. Even my aria sounded better. The Sugden Headmaster is a far better amp for the w5000 imho.

Fit issues perhaps? I tried the W5000 out of my Cowon D2 and it sounded decent but I wouldn't call it crap.

 

[number1sixerfan]

Add me back to the list. My W5000 just landed and it is the second time I have owned it. I have a RSA HR-2 coming on thursday. I decided to go with it instead of the zana duex in order to save for a B-52(should take about a year lol).

 

[ralphmoe]

You can change mine to a LISA III. Wow! I cannot believe how nicely controlled the bass is out of the W5000's with the LISA III. And how much of it there is!
The mids are very sweet, very musical, and the highs are sparkling without any grain that I can hear. I am very happy! Fcklo told me that LISA was probably my best bet for an amp in my work environment, and he was right! Thanks Francis!

 

[ecclesand]

Add me to the list...just picked up a W5000 and after some headband adjustments, I must say they are sounding very good. I'm using a Meier HA2 MKII SE.

 

[mnemonix]

Quote:

Originally Posted by number1sixerfan /img/forum/go_quote.gif Add me back to the list. My W5000 just landed and it is the second time I have owned it. I have a RSA HR-2 coming on thursday. I decided to go with it instead of the zana duex in order to save for a B-52(should take about a year lol).

How's the HR-2 going for you? Would you regard it as a stop gap only, or as a serious contender (on a budget) ? I have a suspicion it may perform better with the W5000 than the Raptor being more suited to deliver high current to low impedance cans ? any comparisons in this respect ?

 

[number1sixerfan]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mnemonix /img/forum/go_quote.gif How's the HR-2 going for you? Would you regard it as a stop gap only, or as a serious contender (on a budget) ? I have a suspicion it may perform better with the W5000 than the Raptor being more suited to deliver high current to low impedance cans ? any comparisons in this respect ?

I don't have the raptor nor have I heard it, but the HR-2 does really well with them. The speed, dynamics, and musicality really shine. I previously used a ppx3 slam with the W5000 and I do miss the "slam" aspect, but the HR-2 is more accurate in it's presentation. The sound is more open, detailed and fast.

I'm currently trying to figure out what my next amp will be. I like the HR-2 but I would like to upgrade to a apache, zana duex, etc. just because I love these headphones so much.

 

[dreamwhisper]

Wow, these headphones are incredible. My pair just landed.
I'm running them out of my Darkvoice 332 which isn't a good combination because to get adequate sound level in both ears I end up having to push the volume pot past my comfort zone. This might be alleviated with an upgraded DV332 volume pot. Other than that the tube warmth and soundstage compliment these fons nicely, especially the soundstage.
However, I was going to sell my DV332 before I got the ATH-W5000's.
I'll hit up this thread again as soon as I have a new amp.

these sound unreal tho dAmn. this is similar to the sound I'm hoping to get out of my HD650's when I eventually run them balanced with a Zu cable..

EDIT: I solved my volume problem by lowering my source volume output..

I also don't own these headphones anymore,
I'm going for a fully calanced HD650 rig instead,
I like the HD650 sound better

 

[jo_kok]

Just got my W5000 together with a Heed Canamp. This combination gave me the dynamic and detailed sound i was looking for.

 

[braddo]

I've had mine for a few days. Source is Rotel RCD-1072, amp is Talisman T-35HP. Prefer them over 701's that i own. They are a lot better than i thought they would be, had to bend them to fit my head though.

 

[P_1]

Just got mine yesterday and I am feeding them with the Zero Dac/Amp with opa 627s in the DAC and LME49720s in the amp and it sounds amazing thus far.

 

[ISLE OF JURA]

I use my 5000 with mad ear purist mapletree(seimen e88cc tube) and stello da100 dac

but Ha5000 is comeing soon