Groundzero
100+ Head-Fier
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2010
- Posts
- 117
- Likes
- 11
I'd like to start by saying Hello as this is my first post on Head-fi. I kept getting redirected here from other forums when I had questions about audio related products, so I eventually start lurking regularly.
Since the lurking began I bought a HT Omega Claro Halo soundcard as well as a pair of HD650s. While researching opamp upgrades for the card, I discovered the world of tube amps
After reading thread after thread of comparisons and reviews, I decided on a WA 6SE. But, there are some questions I can't seem to find definitive answers to, which I'll ask/explain below.
1. Is the premium parts package worth it? I'm having a hard time trying to justify it because I can't find a description of what it does (deepen/tightens bass, smooths out the highs etc.)
2. Being relatively new to the audiophile scene, will I be able to appreciate the difference of premium vs. stock parts? I was thinking of buying it with no upgrades, burning it in and getting to know it, then sending it back for the parts upgrade (when my wallet recovers) so I could hear the difference. Does anyone know if Woo Audio does this or would it be a special request I have to email Jack about?
My reason for asking is because I could buy the non-upgraded one in about a week's time, where as upgraded I would have to wait a few months for the funds.
3. I was planning on buying the amp, a new headphone cable, then upgrading to a USB DAC and selling my soundcard. As I was researching DACs it struck me that a external DAC might be a larger upgrade than a new cable, thus I would want to buy it before the cable. So I guess my question is what should come first? A new headphone cable or DAC?
4. Would keeping my soundcard as an RCA/digital output to an external DAC be better than selling the card and buying a USB DAC? I believe my soundcard has one of the better DAC chips so I was thinking the more reconstruction the better? I read threads about how soundcards have better digital out than onboard, and how USB out can sometimes jitter, but can't find anything on RCA out.
I apologize in advance if I asked any noob questions as I tried to find all answers myself before posting. Thank you for reading and any answers provided. I look forward to joining the head-fi community.
Since the lurking began I bought a HT Omega Claro Halo soundcard as well as a pair of HD650s. While researching opamp upgrades for the card, I discovered the world of tube amps
1. Is the premium parts package worth it? I'm having a hard time trying to justify it because I can't find a description of what it does (deepen/tightens bass, smooths out the highs etc.)
2. Being relatively new to the audiophile scene, will I be able to appreciate the difference of premium vs. stock parts? I was thinking of buying it with no upgrades, burning it in and getting to know it, then sending it back for the parts upgrade (when my wallet recovers) so I could hear the difference. Does anyone know if Woo Audio does this or would it be a special request I have to email Jack about?
My reason for asking is because I could buy the non-upgraded one in about a week's time, where as upgraded I would have to wait a few months for the funds.
3. I was planning on buying the amp, a new headphone cable, then upgrading to a USB DAC and selling my soundcard. As I was researching DACs it struck me that a external DAC might be a larger upgrade than a new cable, thus I would want to buy it before the cable. So I guess my question is what should come first? A new headphone cable or DAC?
4. Would keeping my soundcard as an RCA/digital output to an external DAC be better than selling the card and buying a USB DAC? I believe my soundcard has one of the better DAC chips so I was thinking the more reconstruction the better? I read threads about how soundcards have better digital out than onboard, and how USB out can sometimes jitter, but can't find anything on RCA out.
I apologize in advance if I asked any noob questions as I tried to find all answers myself before posting. Thank you for reading and any answers provided. I look forward to joining the head-fi community.