I'm going to say this is a subjective call. I, myself, preferred the WA6-SE to the WA2 for the HD800. Both were excellent but I gave the edge to the 6-SE.

Although I don't have any direct recent experience with the HE6 SE, and they have an upgraded 2nd Gen version, I would believe it would pair quite well with the HD800S. I was a tremendous fan and if I were to go back to a full-sized tube setup, I would go back to the Woo.

Time for a new gen of Grado? SR60h maybe? :)

Interesting thread revival! This was one of my all-time favorite tube amps. The versatility is impressive. If I were to go back to a full system I'd have this in it. I still have the AKG Q702 and enjoy them. I hope this review is still somewhat valid even with the newer versions.

I eagerly await the final verdict

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Agreed. It's not really only about listening volume. The extra power helps the orthos run at their best. Think of it like a sports car. A 2500 lb sports car with 100 hp and one with 500 hp will both get to 100 mph. Which do you think will get there more easily?

I'll go out on a limb and say I would get the WA6LE because I believe the HD700 will sound better on the WA6LE than the LCD-3 will on the WA2. YMMV That said, if you insist on the most "tubey" sound, the WA2 is the choice of the two.

I ride motorcycles. I doubt something as innocuous as wearing a headphone is going to bother me. lol

I've owned and seen a lot of headphones in my day. To me, there's just something about the retro modern classic look of Grados that I've always liked. Be it the standard 225, the metal of the 325 or PS500, the wood on the RS1, I think they look fantastic with the "alien" antenni. I just like the...

That's the truth. I've heard/owned the 325(i) and they were screechingly etched in the treble. The worst of the Grados. IMHO. YMMV

The two most profitable and low volume models using the 1/4 plug has enough profit in them to justify the added cost. The other models are made in larger volumes thus saving Grado money by using the 1/8 plug on the rest of the line

I think Grado made a business decision. It will save them money using one plug than deciding which should get the 1/8 plug and which get the 1/4. John Grado would never make such a public statement, but rest assured, using business sense, that was the primary motivation.