[brunk]

  Early January if it doesn't win Gary's DAC challenge 

I had a feeling you were his secret sponsor, even before you mentioned getting it lol. I just had a feeling...

 

[potterma]

  I had a feeling you were his secret sponsor, even before you mentioned getting it lol. I just had a feeling...

You must have a crystal ball, or something!

 

[brunk]

  You must have a crystal ball, or something!

LOL! I think it's because you, Mike, and I frequent the same threads and I just managed to extrapolate and use process of elimination. Still scary though, I know 

 

[potterma]

  LOL! I think it's because you, Mike, and I frequent the same threads and I just managed to extrapolate and use process of elimination. Still scary though, I know 

I think I'll start calling you Wizzard, or something... 

 

[brunk]

  I think I'll start calling you Wizzard, or something... 

 

[SolidVictory]

Hmmmm...DA8 or Woo Audio WA7 for driving HE-500s? Keep in mind that if I get the WA7, I probably won't upgrade the DAC for at least several months. But I have heard that the WA7 pairs extremely well with the HE-500.

 

[brunk]

  Hmmmm...DA8 or Woo Audio WA7 for driving HE-500s? Keep in mind that if I get the WA7, I probably won't upgrade the DAC for at least several months. But I have heard that the WA7 pairs extremely well with the HE-500.

Well, you get a full 1 watt output from the internal amp at 32 ohms, and you can also use the rear XLR jacks since it's under 50 ohms (I need to measure for exact reading) since the HE-500 is basically purely resistive. 2 amps in 1

 

[Angelbelow]

Any updated opinions on the a WA7 headphone amp and DA8 pairing? I read a few in the older thread and was generally positive but not too detailed.

 

[Angelbelow]

  Hmmmm...DA8 or Woo Audio WA7 for driving HE-500s? Keep in mind that if I get the WA7, I probably won't upgrade the DAC for at least several months. But I have heard that the WA7 pairs extremely well with the HE-500.

 
I have the pairing (WA7 and HE500) and its lovely so far. I don't get the refined bass description that some of the speaker amp guys describe though. When paired with my HE500, the volume knob is usually just over 12 oclock, or even closer to 1 or 2 if the recording is on the softer side.
 
Also interested in how the amp on the DA8 would do with the HE500s. I've read a lot of positive reviews as well so far.

 

[yz616]

I am also interested in how the amp in WA7 and DA8 compare, driving HE-500s.
 
My budge allows me to get one of them, but not both. So I'll need to stick to using them as DAC+AMP as a whole package.

 

[Austin Morrow]

Is it a bad thing that my review (that I've been writing for the last 3 hours) is already at 6 paragraphs and I'm only about half way done? So much to talk about with this little gem.
 

 

[potterma]

  Is it a bad thing that my review (that I've been writing for the last 3 hours) is already at 6 paragraphs and I'm only about half way done? So much to talk about with this little gem.
 

No way!  Bring on the verbose pontification!

 

[SolidVictory]

   
I have the pairing (WA7 and HE500) and its lovely so far. I don't get the refined bass description that some of the speaker amp guys describe though. When paired with my HE500, the volume knob is usually just over 12 oclock, or even closer to 1 or 2 if the recording is on the softer side.
 
Also interested in how the amp on the DA8 would do with the HE500s. I've read a lot of positive reviews as well so far.

 
So would you describe the bass on the WA7 as linear and not well textured with the HE-500s?
 
I am thinking about getting the DA8 and the mini-X a-100 if the WA7 can't drive the HE-500s to optimal performance...although the WA7 seems promising, I am seeking absolutely no bottleneck when driving the HE-500s.

 

[Austin Morrow]

   
So would you describe the bass on the WA7 as linear and not well textured with the HE-500s?
 
I am thinking about getting the DA8 and the mini-X a-100 if the WA7 can't drive the HE-500s to optimal performance...although the WA7 seems promising, I am seeking absolutely no bottleneck when driving the HE-500s.

 
The DA8 (haven't heard the WA7) has both the sonic driving capability and the power driving capability to push the HE-500's to a very high peak. Have heard it sound better, but this is as close as you will get, especially for a DAC/Amp combo that's only a tick above $1K.

 

[SolidVictory]

The DA8 (haven't heard the WA7) has both the sonic driving capability and the power driving capability to push the HE-500's to a very high peak. Have heard it sound better, but this is as close as you will get, especially for a DAC/Amp combo that's only a tick above $1K.

Curious where/how you've heard it sound better?