[Badas]

   
I will let someone else explain the details of the difference between the two, I would screw it up.  I know my limits of my knowledge, lol.

 
I'm not considering the WA3. I'm just curious.
 
Kinda thinking WA2.

 

[OldSkool]

 

 
I'm not considering the WA3. I'm just curious.
 
Kinda thinking WA2.

To my ears, the WA2 sounds outstanding thru the LCD2.3 (fazor). However, the key seems to be using the increasingly-elusive TS5998 as power tubes.
 
With that said, I view the HD800 as Ginger and the LCD2 as Mary Ann. I'm Gilligan and I want them both.

 

[Badas]

 
To my ears, the WA2 sounds outstanding thru the LCD2.3 (fazor). However, the key seems to be using the increasingly-elusive TS5998 as power tubes.
 
With that said, I view the HD800 as Ginger and the LCD2 as Mary Ann. I'm Gilligan and I want them both.

 
Yeah, I run two HP's as well. LCD3 (pre-fazor) and HD700's.
 
I'm going to keep both. I should have got the HD800's however the HD700's are super comfortable. I can wear them all day.
 
Once I have a Woo I will run two different amps as well. I have the Oppo HA-1 at the moment. I plan to feed the signal from it to a Woo. So I can pick and choose amps as well.

 

[Stereolab42]

Well, I now have both a WA22 and WA6-SE on order, with all the tube upgrades. Intending to use them both, in different locations. End-game, here I come... maybe.

 

[TonyNewman]

  Well, I now have both a WA22 and WA6-SE on order, with all the tube upgrades. Intending to use them both, in different locations. End-game, here I come... maybe.

Never heard the WA5 - but those that have tell me it is the end game Woo offering and a step up from everything else in the WA lineup (excepting the megabuck monoblocks and electrostatics).

 

[Stereolab42]

  Never heard the WA5 - but those that have tell me it is the end game Woo offering and a step up from everything else in the WA lineup (excepting the megabuck monoblocks and electrostatics).

 
I considered the WA5 but couldn't justify the power consumption... I'm not a treehugger by any means but 140 watts continuous to power a pair of headphones... I guess I will always be one step below endgame then.

 

[TonyNewman]

   
I considered the WA5 but couldn't justify the power consumption... I'm not a treehugger by any means but 140 watts continuous to power a pair of headphones... I guess I will always be one step below endgame then.

There's no such thing as too much power unless your skull is vaporised ....

 

[Silent One]

Though, I consider myself environmentally friendly, my vintage lovely politely asks that I send her 950w just to turn-on. And THEN she'll express some beautiful notes through the HE-6. 

 

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Got to hear the HiFiMan HE-560 on our WA5-LE.  That's the amp for this headphone!  
 

 

[kkcc]

Got to hear the HiFiMan HE-560 on our WA5-LE.  That's the amp for this headphone!  

Yes. HE560 sounded a bit too lean and thin for my taste with many SS amps and does get some meat back with the wa22/wa5. Probably wa2 with 5998/2399 tubes could work too.

 

[Justin_Time]

Wow. Massive thread.

I want to join the Woo Party.

I want a amp to run the Audeze LCD3.

Woo has too many options. I had thought of the Fireflies but decided they look a little not really serious.

Any recommendations?

If you want to take a long- term approach, the Woo WA5, or if if you are not considering the HE6, the Woo WA5-LE may be a better investment for a better sound.

As you start getting different headphones, which I did a dozen time, you'll appreciate the fact that the WA5 will sound wonderful with most if not all of them.

Just a thought.

 

[lojay]

If you want to take a long- term approach, the Woo WA5, or if if you are not considering the HE6, the Woo WA5-LE may be a better investment for a better sound.

As you start getting different headphones, which I did a dozen time, you'll appreciate the fact that the WA5 will sound wonderful with most if not all of them.

Just a thought.

How does the WA5 compare with other top end amps, such as GSX Mk II and Eddie Current amps? I've invested so much into WA5 tubes that I am a bit unwilling to face the possibility that those amp would beat the WA5 even in stock form! 

 

[Justin_Time]

How does the WA5 compare with other top end amps, such as GSX Mk II and Eddie Current amps? I've invested so much into WA5 tubes that I am a bit unwilling to face the possibility that those amp would beat the WA5 even in stock form! 

 


I am very familar with only three other amps that are in the same league as the Woo WA5: the EAR HP-4, the Bakoon HPA-21 and the HeadAmp GS-X Mark 2. I own the ED Super 7, which is an entry level ED amp, not the top of the line.

These four amps belong to the small list of elite amps with versatility to work well with most headphones--I have used them with great results with the Audeze LCD2/3, Fostex TH-900, Grado PS10000/GS1000, HiFiMAN HE-500/6/560, Sennheiser HD800, Ultrasone 8/10.

I have owned these four amps for over two years now and even if you put a gun to my head, I cannot tell you which one I like best. They are all great in their own way and they are all flawed.

My only recommendation: buy one and enjoy!

 

[lojay]

How does the WA5 compare with other top end amps, such as GSX Mk II and Eddie Current amps? I've invested so much into WA5 tubes that I am a bit unwilling to face the possibility that those amp would beat the WA5 even in stock form! 

 


I am very familar with only three other amps that are in the same league as the Woo WA5: the EAR HP-4, the Bakoon HPA-21 and the HeadAmp GS-X Mark 2. I own the ED Super 7, which is an entry level ED amp, not the top of the line.

These four amps belong to the small list of elite amps with versatility to work well with most headphones--I have used them with great results with the Audeze LCD2/3, Fostex TH-900, Grado PS10000/GS1000, HiFiMAN HE-500/6/560, Sennheiser HD800, Ultrasone 8/10.

I have owned these four amps for over two years now and even if you put a gun to my head, I cannot tell you which one I like best. They are all great in their own way and they are all flawed.

My only recommendation: buy one and enjoy!

Thanks! I'll be quite happy if the WA5 can compete with these other amps. Before you've posted I have read your comparison of these amps in driving the HE-6, which is insightful. What would you say might be the WA5's flaws or areas needing improvement? Am I right to say, comparing the WA5 and GSX, the WA5 has more impact but less soundstage, and less smoth transients (ie translating into less detail)? Which has a more lush or smooth midrange? What do you mean by an impressive "focus" with the WA5? Also what tubes are you using?

Sorry for the deluge of questions but I haven't found a person on this forum who is still active and who has lived with the WA5 long enough with other amps to give impressions. Of course I do appreciate that we have different ears, different tubes and cables, but one's opinion is a nice starting point to get to the next stop in the journey

 

[Justin_Time]

Thanks! I'll be quite happy if the WA5 can compete with these other amps. Before you've posted I have read your comparison of these amps in driving the HE-6, which is insightful. What would you say might be the WA5's flaws or areas needing improvement? Am I right to say, comparing the WA5 and GSX, the WA5 has more impact but less soundstage, and less smoth transients (ie translating into less detail)? Which has a more lush or smooth midrange? What do you mean by an impressive "focus" with the WA5? Also what tubes are you using?



Sorry for the deluge of questions but I haven't found a person on this forum who is still active and who has lived with the WA5 long enough with other amps to give impressions. Of course I do appreciate that we have different ears, different tubes and cables, but one's opinion is a nice starting point to get to the next stop in the journey

 


I had planned on comparing these amps paired with the HE-6. Here is a rough draft:

+++++++++++++++++++++++++

The GS-X Mark2 produced a smooth and well-articulated sound with silky transients and plenty of inner details with nary a trace of sibilance, hardness or glare. The feathery light and silky smooth transients of the GS-X Mk2 must be heard to be believed. The focus and imaging is very natural (neither forward nor recessed) and the soundstage was the largest I ever heard from the HD800 and HE-6 endowing the sound with the presence, air and layers of live music. The bass was tight and solid with tremendous impact. The greatest strength of the GS-X Mk2 is its ability to perform well with all kinds of headphones and all kinds of music.

With the Bakoon HA-21, the HE-6 sounded remarkably free as well of the hardness and glare often heard with other amps. There was plenty of bass with the HE-6 for Jazz and classical music, but I wished for a tad more impact here with rock music—this was a real surprise for a solid-state design; perhaps a bigger power supply is needed here but that may be quibbling. Where the Bakoon truly excelled was in the warm but also vividly detailed midrange. This is an uncanny sound quality that I have not heard from any other amps. If you like to hear warm vocals with vivid and rich details and smooth transients (guitars, violins…), this amp is ideal for you. The excellent way the Bakoon rendered female voices in particular is entrancing.

The Woo WA5 delivered a smooth midrange with outstanding presence thanks to a forward imaging and very tight focus. This sound was remarkably free of the hardness or glare usually associated with the HE-6. The bass, at once tight and weighty, a rare combination, was delivered with an authority that will rock your socks off. This was truly a match made in heaven for rock. Jazz- and Chamber-Music lovers will have much to like about the HE-6/Woo WA5 pairing as well. (upgraded parts + $1500 for Upgraded Royal Princess 300B tube and Princess 274B rectifier Tubes)

With the EAR HP-4, the HE-6 also produced a musical sound free of hardness and glare. The focus of the HE-6, typically a little fuzzy, became pin-point sharp here; the center image was also pushed a little forward to give a greater presence to vocals, similar to the beautiful results with the Woo WA5. In general, there was also increased air around the instruments and enlarged soundstage to improve the 3-D illusion. Surprisingly for tube design, while the bass was well controlled (read tight), very dynamic and perfect for classical music, it was not ideal for rock where a bid less control and perhaps more weight (mid-bass bloom) is desirable. Overall, the sound was detailed and dynamic, but also so open and relaxed that I frequently forgot to focus on it and was simply enjoyed the music. That’s the ultimate compliment I can give for an audio gear.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++

That's about as far as I got.

Cheers!