[mochimon]

Ive been thinking of picking up a WA6 for a while now, but have been tempted by the higher end stuff aswell. does anyone think it is definately worth it to step up a few hundred dollars in terms of longevity and what not(this way i might not lose money to upgrad-itis)?

i would be running MS2's and HD650's for now, but would like to try getting into some ATH's, beyers, and higher end grado's some day.

thanks guys.

 

[calaf]

I am not so sure that WA6/HD650 is a great pairing. For HD650, WA3 is a better match IMO (I only spent ~20' with the WA6 at the international meet, so my impressions should be taken with a grain of salt). Problem is that WA3 will likely not do too well with Grados or ATH. If you can spend a few hundred dollar$ more, consider upgrading to WA2, or to WA4 if you need a speaker amp.
Re the SS amps you mentioned: I believe the Opera is the best value for money in high-end amps. It seems to be just as good with every headphone you throw at it (something to consider if you haven't yet settled on your favourite phones).

 

[mochimon]

sweet. great reply. very informative.

 

[3rdRock]

mochimon, If you're considering the WA6, but are 'tempted by the higher-end stuff', then you might want to check out this thread >
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showth...=1#post3103315

 

[mochimon]

sweet. that was an informative read. so what was your final setup?

 

[fkclo]

The Graham Slee Solo w PSU 1 is a near perfect match for the HD650.

The WA6 also let my HD650 shine. The fact that the WA6 is not lush warm in character create synergy with the HD650, especially with a good tube.

The Solo and WA6 sounds very different. The Solo provides more than enough power, stunning dynamics, and deep deep texture bass through the HD650. The WA6 is elegant, smooth, spacious, textural and tonally balanced. Both are highly resolving for the price. If you wallet can afford, keep both !

F. Lo

 

[mochimon]

Flo, this may be a dumb question, but...

do you find the solo to work very well with all your other phones? like all those woodies in your inventory.

to 3rd rock - have you ever been able to try a corda opera and if so how did it measure up to your modded WA6?

 

[3rdRock]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mochimon /img/forum/go_quote.gif to 3rd rock - have you ever been able to try a corda opera and if so how did it measure up to your modded WA6?

mochimon, I have not heard the corda opera (or anything else for that matter). Jack Wu has just completed building my modded WA6 which he is still burning in. Should ship sometime this week.

My decision to go with the WA6 was made after about six months of reading the comments of others on these head-fi forums. Just remember that your choice of music should play an important part in your choice of amplifier. Happy hunting!

 

[fkclo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mochimon /img/forum/go_quote.gif Flo, this may be a dumb question, but... do you find the solo to work very well with all your other phones? like all those woodies in your inventory.

The Solo works very well with my K701. Regarding woodies, I have tried it with my W5000 which is also a perfect match - the W5000 is fluid, highly resolving, but some may find it a tad lean on weigh - where the Solo compliments very well. My impression is GS1000 (now sold) is not as impressive, as I felt the Solo has not been able to make the GS1000 really outstanding. It sounds good, though. With the RS-1, the stunning dynamics of the Solo when one listen lock with RS-1. But rock is not really my favorite genre though.

One thing that is worth mentioning is the Solo has a lot of power reserve. It has a constant current drive circuit which can conquer most power hungry headphones (except the K1000).

I sold my Solo a month ago in order to raise some funds for my other upgrades. I still miss it today.

F. Lo

 

[mochimon]

3rd rock: my musical preferences are pretty similar to yours(i love strings and female voices) however i listen to alot of jazz and want to start getting more into classical and opera. i feel like im sorta leaning towards a WA6 now(ive always wanted a tube amp), but the solo has always been one of those amps i've felt like i wouldnt own till i was an old man or somehting.

to F.Lo - the W5000 are some phones that ive been planning to try for in the distant future, and the K701's maybe in a year or two.

this is a really tough choice guys


i dont really know much about tubes, and i haven't read alot of posts regarding these amps.

i need to read up!

thanks

 

[3rdRock]

mochimon, I see that you like Piano. You might want to read this review of the Woo Audio WA6 which was written by a Pianist (30 years). As you know, the Piano is one of the most difficult instruments to get right in audio reproduction and no one knows as much about how a Piano is suppose to sound as a Pianist.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=224054

 

[musicmind]

Thanks for that link 3rdrock, don;t know how I managed to miss that review.

Hope you enjoy the new amp and tell us how it sounds

 

[mochimon]

good link 3rd rock. its an interesting review - im almost completely sold on a WA6 now, as i can upgrade it in the future and its way cheaper than the other amps i mentioned.