[iFi audio]

I would be curious to know if there are T1 owners who purchased the Woo Audio WA2 some years ago and still own it today. About ten years ago there was a lot of great reviews about the pairing and the consensus was that it was a perfect combination. I've been following this forum since 2010 and have always been interested in this amp, however i'm curious to know how previous and current owners feel about it today. I know many of you sold it and moved on, still i would like to get a sense about how people feel about it all these years later. Is it still excellent for the T1 & HD800, is it a good value at $1,299, are there better options, does it lack clarity, is it too soft sounding, etc.

I strongly believe that a good amp will always be relevant. Of course a manufacturer's progress factors in, but old stuff that sounded good years back, will sound good now as well. The only thing to ask would be whether 'good' is... good enough

 

[StanT]

I would be curious to know if there are T1 owners who purchased the Woo Audio WA2 some years ago and still own it today. About ten years ago there was a lot of great reviews about the pairing and the consensus was that it was a perfect combination. I've been following this forum since 2010 and have always been interested in this amp, however i'm curious to know how previous and current owners feel about it today. I know many of you sold it and moved on, still i would like to get a sense about how people feel about it all these years later. Is it still excellent for the T1 & HD800, is it a good value at $1,299, are there better options, does it lack clarity, is it too soft sounding, etc.

Thank you.

I've owned my WA2 at least 10 years (it was built with Blackgates). I do not use my T1s that often these days, most of my listening is through the WA2 and an 800S.

I have other gear; but there is just something special about the WA2 with good tubes. For now, I use GEC A1834, Mazda E88CC, and RFT EZ80.

 

[Dubstep Girl]

I would be curious to know if there are T1 owners who purchased the Woo Audio WA2 some years ago and still own it today. About ten years ago there was a lot of great reviews about the pairing and the consensus was that it was a perfect combination. I've been following this forum since 2010 and have always been interested in this amp, however i'm curious to know how previous and current owners feel about it today. I know many of you sold it and moved on, still i would like to get a sense about how people feel about it all these years later. Is it still excellent for the T1 & HD800, is it a good value at $1,299, are there better options, does it lack clarity, is it too soft sounding, etc.

Thank you.

T1 / HD800 + WA2 was my favorite combo back in the day, would of kept forever, until I found WA5 + HE-6 as well as HD800 / T1 + Apex Teton. those all cost 4-5 times what the wa2 costs, especially after adding tube upgrades.

Really the wa2 is one of the most solid combos with those headphones, so much synergy, great tone, smoothness, detail, transparency, musicality, soundstage, imaging, etc. it is a hair less detailed than those amps, and to get a holographic sound, u need top tier tubes, also dynamics are on the smooth and relaxed sound, this is a silky smooth tube sound, not a more neutral, fast sound, also bass is punchy and tight but can be slightly better with a more dynamic amp, that said, to get that + everything else, it costs alot more, really getting to diminishing returns at this point. because this combo is so synergistic and righteous sounding, really leaves nothing to be desired until you hear something just a little bit better, which is hard to do, just depends how much higher u want to go, really this is a great endgame right here

 

[iFi audio]

u need top tier tubes,

Speaking of, I see that you have WE 300B in your signature. From which year are these?

 

[Dubstep Girl]

Speaking of, I see that you have WE 300B in your signature. From which year are these?

pair of 214511 and 214515, so 2001 I think

 

[iFi audio]

pair of 214511 and 214515, so 2001 I think

Thanks! For a sec there I though you got something from 1950 or so. Now that would be crazy

 

[Pirastro]

I know this is an old thread, but I just got a Marantz HD-DAC1 and the my T1’s sound glorious through them

 

[iFi audio]

I know this is an old thread, but I just got a Marantz HD-DAC1 and the my T1’s sound glorious through them

If I may ask, is there any reason in particular why you got it ? You knew it earlier? Or is it considered as a match with T1?

 

[Pirastro]

If I may ask, is there any reason in particular why you got it ? You knew it earlier? Or is it considered as a match with T1?

I wanted a DAC that didn't use the Sabre chipset - something on the warmer side, with enough power to drive the Beyers, and that had a remote control. I've always enjoyed Marantz's "house" sound. I bought it hearing unheard, also helped along by the Hifi Choice DAC shootout and What Hi-fi reviews. I have to say, I just love the openness and musicality of this piece - WAY better than my old Musical Fidelity DAC and a little better than my Arcam CD37 player. There is a 3D/Holographic quality that I didn't get before...sometimes I'll think my speakers are playing. Never had that sensation before with my headphone listening!

 

[iFi audio]

I wanted a DAC that didn't use the Sabre chipset - something on the warmer side, with enough power to drive the Beyers, and that had a remote control. I've always enjoyed Marantz's "house" sound. I bought it hearing unheard, also helped along by the Hifi Choice DAC shootout and What Hi-fi reviews. I have to say, I just love the openness and musicality of this piece - WAY better than my old Musical Fidelity DAC and a little better than my Arcam CD37 player. There is a 3D/Holographic quality that I didn't get before...sometimes I'll think my speakers are playing. Never had that sensation before with my headphone listening!

Although it's not a DAC chip alone that's responsible for sound tailoring, I can see why you went after this Marantz and it's cool that it's something that works for you Enjoy!

 

[Jay Smith]

I have Chord Mojo and Matrix Audio X-sabre which use Sabre ES9018 chipset, I much prefer X-sabre with better layering and warmer than Mojo.

 

[teknorob23]

I have Chord Mojo and Matrix Audio X-sabre which use Sabre ES9018 chipset, I much prefer X-sabre with better layering and warmer than Mojo.

hardly an apples to apples comparison £300 dac to an £1700 one.

 

[Superpong]

Does anyone try or audition the 3rd gen? Curious to know how it's different from gen2. I am deciding among T1 Gen3, Focal Clear and Arya.

 

[Mad Max]

Does anyone try or audition the 3rd gen? Curious to know how it's different from gen2. I am deciding among T1 Gen3, Focal Clear and Arya.

https://www.head-fi.org/threads/beyerdynamic-t1-3rd-gen-out-now.938562/post-16031622

 

[Denosha]

Does anyone try or audition the 3rd gen? Curious to know how it's different from gen2. I am deciding among T1 Gen3, Focal Clear and Arya.

I have both the Gen 1 and the Arya, and unless the 3rd gen is monumental jump from the Gen 1, my vote goes with the Arya. But that said, best to audition them all first since personal preference (especially for tonality) and what's important to you (other than sound/technical aspects, build quality, comfort, driveability, etc) would vary.