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Originally Posted by skeptic /img/forum/go_quote.gif
Heatfan - thanks for the great thread!
I was just curious if you've had a chance to compare your HD650's through the DAC_1 + WA2 (single-ended) as opposed to through the DAC_1 + LDVII balanced combo?
A balanced rig at for <$800 is pretty tempting indeed, but I confess I'm pretty happy with my current Woo 3 -> HD650 rig, and I'd hate to cash out for a sidegrade. The Woo 2 has a pretty similar (albeit superior) flavor to the Woo 3, so if you have time for a back to back, I'd love to hear your impressions.
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Hey guys,
Work and schedule have been crazy and not enough time for serious listening the last couple of weeks. I finally setup everything in its place and have been enjoying some great music and it’s been lots of fun comparing the HD650s single-ended and balanced w/ the LDMKVII and WA2 with LD DAC_I feeding both.
Final set-up
LDMKVII- LD DAC_I balanced output
WA2- LD DAC_I RCA output
LDMKVII- SE input to Marantz CD5001 (RCA out)
Laptop- Acer Aspire 5520…w/ optical.
All inputs of the DAC_I are being used in one form or another (laptop usb or optical, usb to spdif converter, CDP…)
I was late to the game with Porcupine Tree’s new album and did not pre-order, but finally received it. So, I thought, hmmm, great time to put my HD650s to work and enjoy some music. So, I ripped, encoded, tagged etc…and fired up Foobar…
I cued up some PT and Rush and sat back and relaxed. Both balanced and SE w/ the MKVII. The WA2 was fitted w/ 6H13C power tubes, Tesla ECC88 drivers and Tungsram EZ-80 rectifiers.
I’ll admit, I’m an Ultrasone freak, but after spending the last couple of days solely with the HD650s, I have found new love for them. Again, in balanced mode they are a different animal, very evident with prog, IMO. You “feel” the music deep down. The clarity, detail, soundstage and imaging is amazing. The drums especially sound very, very crisp. Don’t get me wrong, the HD650s single-ended, properly amped (which both of these amps do with ease), with an upgraded cable, also sound awesome. As I stated before, balanced just takes them up to the next level.
I have had the WA2 for a while now, so I know what it is capable of. It is a delicious piece of tube goodness
. It plays beautifully with all my phones and with four inputs and a pre-amp out it is definitely a winner. My listening was not to compare the two (one is tube and one is SS and the difference in price is about 1K), just to enjoy the music with both w/ the 650s, since I had them connected to the same DAC. The DAC_I is a great match for the WA2 btw. Its transparency lets the tubes do their thing without sounding dark. Just the right mix to maintain balance.
In reference to the MKVII, I’m still surprised how good it sounds single-ended w/ power to spare. Tried several phones and they all sound good, hence my dilemma in which ones to re-terminate or re-cable and would the difference be as evident in balanced mode as with the Senns. If this amp’s single-ended performance was weak it would be a no brainer, but that’s not the case. I think my AH-D5000s will be next to see what they are made of.
All in all, the purchase of the MKVII, for me, was a solid choice. For the price, specs and service it really is hard to beat.
Favorites in this session
Well, anything by PT and Rush are favorites really and all sound awesome…
But again, the energy of Anesthetize in balanced mode is surreal. Live- Rush’s By-Tor And The Snowdog, Closer To the Heart, Cinderella Man--incredible. But the one that totally blew me away was Neil’s solo, The Rhythm Method (Different Stages)…Did I mention that drums sound amazing with balanced Senns…..
Of course, all of the above is IMO, with my ears, my gear and YMMV…..
