[Icenine2]

I have to believe the WA5LE would outperform the WA22 with a balanced source say the Ayre QB-9.  Does anyone have first hand feedback on this?  Either owned both or listened to both maybe at CanJam.  I am not going to email Jack w/another question having moved from the 6, then 6E and now considering a 22 or 5LE.  I'm afraid he's going to say "no soup for you........one year!!!"
 
K

 

[jc9394]

Sent Jack another email, he is a super nice guy and certainly will guide you with the right purchase.

 

[nikongod]

Do you prefer push-pull amps or single ended amps? 
 
Buy the 5 if you like SET, buy the 22 if you like PP. Its easy.

 

[musicman59]

I listened to both at the last Canjam and even that most of my headphones in my collection are balanced I went for the WA5-LE hands down.
Right now I am using a XLR to TRS adapter in those headphones (I am still running them balanced with my Rudi). All my headphones sound very good in the WA5-LE but the two best are the HD800 and the T1 so I will just get a single ended cable for the HD800 and probably reterminate the T1 back to SE.
 
My comparison was using my balanced recabled T1 in the WA22 and the same headphones with the adapter in the WA5-LE and end up ordering a WA5-Le with all the upgrades. I even sent Jack OCC copper wire (Neotech) to use in the inside wiring. I have never heard the T1 sounding soo good.

 

[flaming_june]

Buy me one while you're at it.

 

[SanJoseCanJunkie]

OP: I'm sure Jack will be more than happy to answer any questions that involve buying a new amp from him

 

[ak622]

You should definitely email Jack with your musical preference and headphones and see what he says.  I think in that range, there isn't an out perform but a preference.  With my limited experience out of both amps, I preferred the WA5 over the WA22.

 

[davo50]

I asked Jack that exact question about 3 months ago.  He told me without hesitation that the WA5 / LE is his top of the line amp and will outperform the WA22 in most cases.  I got the WA5 and I am extremely pleased.

 

[Icenine2]

I did email him and got my answer.  I'll be getting the WA5LE.  Now I just have to decide if I can afford the parts upgrade.  The tubes I'll do as I get some extra cash.  And decide on the color.  I was just in awe of the black and thought that was for me.  After looking at all the pictures though I've pretty much decided on silver.

 

[vinyllp33]

I think you are making the right move; The WA5 is going to change the entire music listening experience for you.

I started with a WA6, next WA6SE and then was faced with your same decision.

Jack is a great person to deal with and every step up the ladder has yielded better than expected results.

I went with black to match my other gear and it is a commitment to keep it dust free but the silver looks really great too.

Enjoy your Quest!

 

[musicman59]

 
Quote:

I did email him and got my answer.  I'll be getting the WA5LE.  Now I just have to decide if I can afford the parts upgrade.  The tubes I'll do as I get some extra cash.  And decide on the color.  I was just in awe of the black and thought that was for me.  After looking at all the pictures though I've pretty much decided on silver.

I saw the Silver inperson at Canjam when I tried it and it is very nice but all my equipment in the rack is black and saw the GES and WA22 in black also at Canjam so I decided to buy the black and I am very happy with it. To be honest the pictures of the balck does not make any justice to its beauty and clearly the silver looks better but in person is a diferent story but vynillp33 is right you need to dust it once in a while.
 
If you have the money go for the parts and sockets upgrade. You can upgrade the tubes later as you go. You can get a good Nos pair of 6SN7 for $80 to $90 a pair and good rectifier tubes for not much more than that a pair. The 300B will be more expensive but you can change those at the end.
 
Here is mine:
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/506402/my-new-woo-audio-wa5-le-the-black-beauty
 
Expect 4 to 6 weeks delivery time.