HTSkywalker
Headphoneus Supremus
AM thinking of trying some home made hybrid setup consisting of a mid-tier tube pre-amp feeding my Violectric SS, this way I will get the Tube signature while still keeping the power off the SS to drive both my Elear and Ananda. Normally Tube amps performs poorly with PlanarsI’ve used the Clear and Elex with a WA-6SE. I think the performance will be similar. for reference, I’ll compare the Woo to my Lyr 3. Tube choices will make a little difference, your mileage may vary etc.
Focal Clear- this is my favorite headphone with the Lyr 3 because of its clarity, resolution and dynamics but it can be a little dry and analytical. Compared to the Lyr 3, the Woo emphasizes and adds some cloudiness from upper bass the down to the low bass. The result is a warmer signature with a touch of bloom. The Lyr 3 is less colored and sounds clearer and cooler and with a little sibilance. The Woo is less fatiguing at moderately loud volumes. Bass is where the Lyr outperforms the Woo, though the Woo has better micro dynamics, mids detail and separation, not to mention imaging. Both avoid the metallic character Focals (and Aeons) sometimes exhibit.
Focal Elex- Similar to the Clear though I prefer the Elex- tighter bass with no perceptible bloom. I suspect if the Clear were a little higher impedance the overall sound signature would be extremely close. The Elex synergizes with the Woo very well and delivers a little more clarity than the Clear. If you’re looking for clarity, detail, dynamic detailed bass, great imaging and sweet mids it’s a great pairing that exceeds the Lyr 3 / Elex combo and IMHO the Woo / Clear combo.
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