[ron spencer]

I may have scrounged up enough cash for a new headphone that is local to me (only 1!):

1: Hifiman Arya Stealth Magnet (2021)
2: Focal Clear MG

Anyone have these for the WA6? Any comments are cool!

Thanks

 

[ColSaulTigh]

I may have scrounged up enough cash for a new headphone that is local to me (only 1!):

1: Hifiman Arya Stealth Magnet (2021)
2: Focal Clear MG

Anyone have these for the WA6? Any comments are cool!

Thanks

I have the Focal Clear MG - they're weird animals. Very clinical, kinda thick. They start out harsh but mellow out after a hundred hours or so. They're not terribly bright, and they are very sensitive to tube rolling. They are comfortable and solidly built.

Having said that, I LOVE my Utopias. I sent back the HiFiMan headphones I bought - terrible build quality. But YMMV.

 

[Mr Trev]

Woo WA6 and especially Woo WA6SE…with LCD-4 (200 ohms nominal impedance)

cept HFM and DCA went the opposite route 18Ω and 13Ω

 

[ron spencer]

I have the Focal Clear MG - they're weird animals. Very clinical, kinda thick. They start out harsh but mellow out after a hundred hours or so. They're not terribly bright, and they are very sensitive to tube rolling. They are comfortable and solidly built.

Having said that, I LOVE my Utopias. I sent back the HiFiMan headphones I bought - terrible build quality. But YMMV.

You had the Ayra? What was the sound like?

 

[ColSaulTigh]

You had the Ayra? What was the sound like?

No, I did not have the Ayra.

 

[ucmgr]

Do yourself a favor and buy a Woo Audio WA-6SE. It will do things that a WA-22 won't do except it has only single ended inputs, if that makes a difference to you

 

[ron spencer]

For those following....I ended up getting a Sophia Princess from Sophia Electronics (came today) as well as Audeze LCD-X 2021 version. The LCDs are as described...heavy, but insane sounding. Not sure I'll change the power amps though. Will see. That Princess rectifier is big LOL. I have thought about getting a Woo pin saver for it to place it even higher....but at $60 it seems a bit much for looks. Anyone have one?

 

[ColSaulTigh]

For those following....I ended up getting a Sophia Princess from Sophia Electronics (came today) as well as Audeze LCD-X 2021 version. The LCDs are as described...heavy, but insane sounding. Not sure I'll change the power amps though. Will see. That Princess rectifier is big LOL. I have thought about getting a Woo pin saver for it to place it even higher....but at $60 it seems a bit much for looks. Anyone have one?

Now do yourself a favor and get an Emission Labs 274B Mesh.

 

[ron spencer]

Well...I've only just got the Princess. Lol. I'll be waiting a bit for any other tunes. Other than maybe the 8 pin riser thing. Too bad they aren't black from Woo.

 

[iFi audio]

To be honest, I found it fairly underwhelming. I bought it solely for the purpose of driving the HD6XX's (it was my first headphone amp). And it did it's job well. At the time I owned the HD6XX's, Grado SR325e's, Meze 99 Classic's and Oppo PM3's. I wanted to have a shoot-out over the winter to see what kind of sound I like. I was diving into the hobby in a big way (about 5 years ago)!

I really enjoyed the features (bass boost and 3D), but not enough to keep it. Lots of power and cool features.

Very similar to the Pro iCAN, which has even more toys. I find your gear to be pretty neutral, even with the tube modes. More powerful and skilled than my Violectric, but doesn't have the soul.

Both have their place.

Thanks a lot for this feedback. We've come a long way since iCAN SE's days and we understand that it's not everyone's cup of tea. Still, thanks for mentioning its features and your time spent with it

 

[550591]

Is there a hybrid-tube amp that works well with planar magnetic Headphones (aeon 2 Noire) , and low impedance dynamic headphones (focal Elegia) that is fully balanced and doesn't suffer from hissing noise?

 

[iFi audio]

Is there a hybrid-tube amp that works well with planar magnetic Headphones (aeon 2 Noire) , and low impedance dynamic headphones (focal Elegia) that is fully balanced and doesn't suffer from hissing noise?

If I may ask, what is your budget?

 

[ColSaulTigh]

Is there a hybrid-tube amp that works well with planar magnetic Headphones (aeon 2 Noire) , and low impedance dynamic headphones (focal Elegia) that is fully balanced and doesn't suffer from hissing noise?

Does it have to be hybrid?

If not, the Woo Audio WA22 would be what you're looking for. If you can do without balanced, then the Woo Audio WA6-SE Gen 2 is what I have. You could also look at the xDuoo TA-30 (I have that in my bedroom) and the xDuoo TA-26 is getting great reviews....

 

[albertmuc]

Is there a hybrid-tube amp that works well with planar magnetic Headphones (aeon 2 Noire) , and low impedance dynamic headphones (focal Elegia) that is fully balanced and doesn't suffer from hissing noise?

xDuoo TA-20

 

[ColSaulTigh]

Also the xDuoo TA-604...