[SpudHarris]

I've had a Woo Audio 6 for about 8-9 months and have spent a lot (I mean a lot!) on tubes to find a flavour that suited most of my full sized cans. I'm happy with it in that respect but the newest arrivals (HE-4 and HE-500) don't quite get enough grunt from it. I still have a set of 6FD7's to try and boost a bit but I'm not hopefull that I'll be happy losing the tone of the 6SN7 Bad Boys
 
I know the EF-5 will power these phones but:
 
What is the SQ like in comparrison? Will I be disapointed or will the EF-5 sound as good? Should I sell the Woo and pick up a EF-5?
 
If anyone with experience in any of the above would care to chip in I'd be really appreciative.
 
Thanks guys
 
Nigel
 
 

 

[sillysally]

Quote:

I've had a Woo Audio 6 for about 8-9 months and have spent a lot (I mean a lot!) on tubes to find a flavour that suited most of my full sized cans. I'm happy with it in that respect but the newest arrivals (HE-4 and HE-500) don't quite get enough grunt from it. I still have a set of 6FD7's to try and boost a bit but I'm not hopefull that I'll be happy losing the tone of the 6SN7 Bad Boys
 
I know the EF-5 will power these phones but:
 
What is the SQ like in comparrison? Will I be disapointed or will the EF-5 sound as good? Should I sell the Woo and pick up a EF-5?
 
If anyone with experience in any of the above would care to chip in I'd be really appreciative.
 
Thanks guys
 
Nigel
 
 

I would wait for the EF-6 to come out, Skylab and I will get a demo version of the EF-6 and do a write-up on the EF-6.
 
As I have posted many times, I really liked my WA6SE but never could get the AQ for what I used it for, no matter how many tubes I rolled. And yes my HE-6's are a waist when paired with the WA6SE.
 
I will be comparing my WA5LE and tubes when I get the EF-6, and nothing I have tried other than the WA5LE and tubes I use comes close using my HE-6's.

 

[SpudHarris]

Any idea when you will get that to review SS?
 
I have spent 1/2 hour with the WA6 and HE-500's and have to say I could probably live with them but there is something snappier about the HE-4's that suits certain genres and the WA6 struggles to drive them with much authority.
 
Thanks for the reply, I will certainly await the news regarding EF-6

 

[Icenine2]

I'd look at the Cavalli Liquid Fire as well.

 

[sillysally]

Quote:

Any idea when you will get that to review SS?
 
I have spent 1/2 hour with the WA6 and HE-500's and have to say I could probably live with them but there is something snappier about the HE-4's that suits certain genres and the WA6 struggles to drive them with much authority.
 
Thanks for the reply, I will certainly await the news regarding EF-6

No word yet.

 

[1974]

IMO the EF5 is an incredible sounding amp, and I haven't heard anything better for less than $2000. The EF6 will probably be better, and certainly a lot more expensive.

 

[Gradofan2]

 
Quote:

I've had a Woo Audio 6 for about 8-9 months and have spent a lot (I mean a lot!) on tubes to find a flavour that suited most of my full sized cans. I'm happy with it in that respect but the newest arrivals (HE-4 and HE-500) don't quite get enough grunt from it. I still have a set of 6FD7's to try and boost a bit but I'm not hopefull that I'll be happy losing the tone of the 6SN7 Bad Boys
 
I know the EF-5 will power these phones but:
 
What is the SQ like in comparrison? Will I be disapointed or will the EF-5 sound as good? Should I sell the Woo and pick up a EF-5?
 
If anyone with experience in any of the above would care to chip in I'd be really appreciative.
 
Thanks guys
 
Nigel

To drive the HE-500's, I much prefer the EF-5 to my WA6 SEm - it sounds great with the HE-500's.  The bass and highs are much better controlled - I like everything about the sound with this combo.  And... right now, I don't have any compulsion to roll the tube (Full Music 12AU7), or the OPA225 opamp.  
 
The EF-5 is a true value - and it has the power to drive the HE-500's, and then some.  So, if you don't want to wait for the EF-6... you can be confident in getting the EF-5.   

 
 

 

[SpudHarris]

Thanks guys (especially Gradofan2). I think I know what I'm doing now....

 

[Gradofan2]

I would just add... that mine is the newer CE version (EU compliance) with the Full Music tube, rather than the RCA tube - and I'm not sure the EF-5 is quite as good with all phones, as it is with the HE-500's. 
 
It seems to drive my RS-1's pretty well... adding a bit to their soundstage.  But... it sounds a bit strident and harsh in the upper mids, lower highs with my MD5000's. 
 
And... overall it may have just a "wee bit" hard sound in the upper mids, lower highs with brighter sources - not as much with my Marantz SA8001, which has just a bit warmer sound.
 
It may warm up a bit with burn in - I've got only about an 1-2 hours on it.  Probably, premature to form any opinion, yet.  Though it does sound good with the HE-500's even now - powerful sound with lots of impact, PRAT, clarity, detail and soundstage.

 

[SpudHarris]

Thanks again....
 
I have just reconed up what money I have tied up in my WA6 + exotic tubes and it's scary money. I don't think I'll ever be able to get a WA22 over here so I'm gonna put it all up for sale and just stick with my Fi-quest at present as this powers the HE-500 easily.
 
I'm not sure I would ever be satisfied with the EF-5 after using such nice tubes with the WA6 so I think I'll shelve the idea for now and see what money I've got left over when the EF6 comes out.
 
http://www.head-fi.org/forum/thread/565540/fs-woo-audio-6-rare-tubes-uk-sale#post_7652014 
 
Thanks for the responses guys......