RSA Raptor, WA6SE with Sophia, or Headroom Balanced Desktop

[WittyzTH]

Quote:

Originally Posted by musicmind /img/forum/go_quote.gif I had the chance to compare the maxxed WA6 (not SE) with the stock Sovtek 5u4g and GE 6de7, alongside the Headamp GS-1, using an HD-650 and ATH-AD2000, and I didnt find the WA6 to be tubey or lush in the stereotypical tube amp way at all.

That's the amp what I want to have. It seems like the Raptor with more power.

Did the AD2000 work well with the WA6? I have AT cans too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif The modified 6 changes the power supply into a dual power supply so each power section of the tube has its own cap, which increases the dynamics and everything else about the presentation. Mine also has Black Gates in Super E configuration, which lowers ESR to almost nothing and does away with inductance. I also use a few teflon caps in strategic positions and a few other changes as well as coming off from the power supply at a different point than that of a modified Woo 6 from Woo Audio. Anyway, get the PDPS if you get one and you will have a fine amp.

That's interesting. jamato8 have you compared your moded WA6 with the stock WA6SE?


Quote:

Originally Posted by ldj325 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Here comes a curve--- If you're going to go balanced (I'm a person when it comes to balanced so you will get no objectivity from me on this issue) I think that the RudiStor NX-33 has much higher sound quality that the Headroom. It is just that fewer people have heard then as they slightly rare in these parts. That's my 2 cents.

Thanks!

Now I'm quite interested in the WA6 more than the balanced rig since there are quite few choices.

 

[Gradofan2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WittyzTH /img/forum/go_quote.gif Did the AD2000 work well with the WA6? I have AT cans too... ...Now I'm quite interested in the WA6 more than the balanced rig since there are quite few choices.

And... from several reviews I've seen the benefits of a balanced configuration are pretty subtle - once you get into amps in the price range of the WA6 SE.

I doubt you can tell a noticeable difference between the WA6 SE and a balanced amp with the "new" version of the HD650s - the "old" version may be another story.

And... yes the AD2000s sound grand with the WA6 SE, as well as the RS-1s and the D5000s. But... the "new" version of the HD650s may actually be better.

 

[WittyzTH]

I'd like to try the maxed WA6SE too, but I can afford only the stock WA6SE or the maxed WA6 with PDPS.

still waiting for the comparison of those two.

 

[bobsmith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WittyzTH /img/forum/go_quote.gif I'd like to try the maxed WA6SE too, but I can afford only the stock WA6SE or the maxed WA6 with PDPS.

While I cannot review the two (as I have heard neither), I asked Jack Wu about the differences between the WA6+pdps (NOT maxed, however) versus the WA6SE. He described the WA6SE as having much greater power, greater dynamics, and with a more open and dimensional presentation. Obviously, that is a comment from the manufacturer, so take it for whatever its worth. That also does not take into account whatever difference the other upgrade parts would make. The only other comparison I recall seeing is http://www.head-fi.org/forums/4914345-post12.html, but I am sure there must be something else out there...

 

[Mikenet]

I'm interested in the answers here, too. My setup hasn't been pleasing me, so I just ordered a D10 for transportable use on campus, and I was looking into tube amps(have had all SS in the past) for full-size headphones at home. I was considering something of the Woo6 line(PDPS mod or higher in the line) or an RSA Raptor. The Woo6 seems to be a lot more popular here, but I get the feeling that the Raptor might be the technically superior amp(no fault to the Woo though, the base Woo6 is half the price of the Raptor). I haven't been able to find too many direct comparisons between the two though.

Does anyone have any more input comparing the sound signatures or capabilities of these two amps?

I would like to try out the "tube sound", but if I'm going to be dropping this much money and babying the thing, I'd rather not go through too many buy->test->sell->wait->buy cycles and would like to start out with something I could live with for awhile. I don't have too much time for hobbies and tweaking at the moment...but I REALLY miss having a nice audio set up. A year ago I wouldn't have spent more than a couple hundred on an amp(I tend to DIY things to save money), but I don't have the time to test and tweak and sample...I just want to be blown away by my music again!

(On a second read...it sounds like I'm a junkie looking for a better fix

. But uh, let's just say I'm listening on laptop speakers or a DAC with an "odd" sound signature at the moment.)

 

[olblueyez]

Why not keep the Raptor for now and get Rockhopper to build you a LOADED out the wahzoo B22 and Q22, Simular to the Kamthis build, speaker taps and everything.

 

[WittyzTH]

olblueyez, the B22 wasn't my cup of tea. I've tried it with many of my cans and some others such as RS1 HF1 and etc. I can't say it sounds bad. It's great indeed but it's just not for me.

 

[Lil' Knight]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WittyzTH /img/forum/go_quote.gif olblueyez, the B22 wasn't my cup of tea. I've tried it with many of my cans and some others such as RS1 HF1 and etc. I can't say it sounds bad. It's great indeed but it's just not for me.

Any reason why?

 

[olblueyez]

Then Wait till you can go for a Zana. I also dont understand why people insist on making comments on how a particular tube amp sounds, with never considering that tubes can be rolled.

"I would like to try out the "tube sound", but if I'm going to be dropping this much money and babying the thing, I'd rather not go through too many buy->test->sell->wait->buy cycles and would like to start out with something I could live with for awhile".

Roll some tubes till you get the sound you need, tubes can affect the sound 100 percent.

 

[LeMat]

WA6 maxxed, WA6 SE, raptor... how come the WA2 hasn't been considered ? It falls in the same price range, is OTL like the raptor...
too tubey ?

 

[Lamenthe]

I'm sorry for being off topic, but how did you get the L3000 drivers installed into the W100s? I can imagine that as being a pretty sick set up.

 

[WittyzTH]

Lil' Knight, from what I remember, it's such a powerful amp with great dynamic, but somehow it's a bit on the neutral side.

olblueyez, agree. I love tube sound but not too tubey.

LeMat, the reason I prefer WA6 both reg and SE is the size of it. Also, the overall sound sig too. Raptor is the OTL too, but it's not tubey or anything like soft sound.

Lamenthe, W100 and L3000 are a popular combo for a while. The sound is quite up to L3000 with about %50-%60 of cost.

 

[bobsmith]

Quote:

Originally Posted by WittyzTH /img/forum/go_quote.gif LeMat, the reason I prefer WA6 both reg and SE is the size of it.

Not sure what you mean. Here is a pic of the WA2 and WA6SE side by side: Woo Audio WA6SE (right 2) and WA2 (left). on Flickr - Photo Sharing! To me at least, they seem to take about the same amount of space, except that the WA2 is a little bit less deep, and a little less tall. Certainly its a lot bigger than the regular WA6. Also, FWIW I think Jack meant to say it has a "smooth" sound (which is how he has described it elsewhere), rather than a "soft" sound. Anyhow, fair point on the sound signature, if thats not the sound you are looking for...

 

[LeMat]

I agree that sizes between WA2 and WA6SE are pretty much the same... sound sig on the other hand can be a bit different. WA6 line being more on the SS side, although revealing less details than WA2 (I'm only stating Jack here).

 

[WittyzTH]

I do have very small desk and I think I know how I can put two chassis of WA6SE here like I put the RSA Raptor.

Moreover, from what I read, I will aim for WA6SE or WA6 because of sound sig too.

Now I can't decide which one I should get: stock WA6SE with Sophia or WA6 with pdps + Sophia. Probably enjoy more impression of those two more.