Woo Audio 3 for first tube amp?

[mrarroyo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by la_marquise Sorry, don't mean to threadjack but I am in a similar position to the OP... I am trying to decide between a Mapletree HD Ear+ or Woo Audio 3 for using it with everything from Grados to Beyers. Ideally, I would NOT be upgrading for a VERY long time after this.... Which amp would provide greater clarity, soundstage and speed, esp. for large orchestras? Thanks!

The Mapletree Ear Purist + HD is one heck of amp. Extremely detailed, clean, and warm. Both my AKG K701 and my Grado RS-1, RS-2 sound fantastic. I would say you will be hard pressed to find an amp that sounds as good with Grado. Perhaps if you spend twice the money. Good luck.

Note: I listen mostly to Jazz and the speed/clarity is out of this world. See if you have a headfier close to you with one so you could listen to it.

 

[socrates63]

Quote:

Originally Posted by watchluvr4ever A little off topic but which amp would sound better straight out of the box, the Woo Audio 3 or the HeadRoom Micro Amp with the desktop module? I have decided that I'm not really ready to venture into the price range of the HeadRoom Millet Hybrid amp. My wife says I have been spending too much money lately. Just in the past week I have purchased Senn 595's and Grado SR-325's. She's showing teeth when I talk about getting an amp now.

so that's why you're selling your DVDs

It's time for you to join Team Ninja Upgrade.

According to my ears, there's no question. The Woo 3 provides more detail and spacious sound than the Micro Amp with DM.

 

[replytoken]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrarroyo The Mapletree Ear Purist + HD is one heck of amp. Extremely detailed, clean, and warm. Both my AKG K701 and my Grado RS-1, RS-2 sound fantastic. I would say you will be hard pressed to find an amp that sounds as good with Grado. Perhaps if you spend twice the money. Good luck. Note: I listen mostly to Jazz and the speed/clarity is out of this world. See if you have a headfier close to you with one so you could listen to it.

Have you tried Senn HD-600's with the Mapletree? I am thinking of ordering the Ear++ to use as both headphone amp and preamp. I know Nick did not like the combo as much as the Grados, but I was wondering what others thought. Also, how reliable has your unit been? Any buzzing or hum? Most people have said their units have been quiet, but I thought I would ask anyways.

 

[replytoken]

Forgot to ask, can anybody describe Mapletree's "sound" in comparison with Woo's?

 

[watchluvr4ever]

I've decided to sell my Senn's so now I only have my Grado SR-325's. Will the Woo Audio 3 be good with these cans? The reason I ask is because I read somewhere that the Woo Audio 3 isn't good with low impedance cans. Is this true?

 

[socrates63]

FWIW, I've got my HF-1 hooked up to the Woo3 to take a little of the edge off of the sound. Sounds great to me.

 

[watchluvr4ever]

Socrates63, thanks for the input. I'm really enjoying these SR-325's. To my ears there is a world of difference between these and the SR-80's I once had. I actually have a hard time believing that Grado improved on these by introducing the 325i's. The upgrade bug has gone away for now in the can department. I now plan on purchasing an amp, but I'm still not sure of what to get. I think I am going to start a new thread on the Woo Audio 3 and low impedance cans.

 

[madmax7]

My Grado RS2's dont sound nearly as good with my Woo 3 as the Senn 590's.

I have 650's on the way, so we'll see.

 

[jimmyjames8]

The 650's and the Woo 3 are DA BOMB. Really they do sound good together. I have been listening to the QUEEN box and lots of metal lately on this set up. Clutch and Fu Manchu, fuzz wah to the max. It just has the warm, earthy sound to it. Like music, not electrons just flying around. 5998 Tungsol power tube upgrade takes the 3 to another level. Cheers!

 

[DennyL]

JimmyJames, can you tell me what the Woo Audio 3 is like driving your K501s, as I believe these are hard to drive and need a lot of power.

 

[trose49]

Whats the big difference between the woo 3 and woo 6? is it worth the extra cost?

 

[LeChuck]

WOO3 is OTL (output-transformer-less), and the WOO6 is transformer coupled. The WOO6 reportedly has a more detailed sound with less tube euphonics, and also does a much better job driving low impedance cans.

 

[trose49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by LeChuck /img/forum/go_quote.gif WOO3 is OTL (output-transformer-less), and the WOO6 is transformer coupled. The WOO6 reportedly has a more detailed sound with less tube euphonics, and also does a much better job driving low impedance cans.

what does tranformer coupled vs transformer less mean in lamens terms. I want to drive ue 10 pros and hd600s and ultrasone 650's.

is it worth bothering with a tube amp for iems.

 

[socrates63]

Tubes and IEMs don't play nicely. I don't remember the technical details but I believe Sugarfried made posts about this issue. In any case, aren't you getting a Tomahawk for the IEM?

 

[trose49]

Quote:

Originally Posted by socrates63 /img/forum/go_quote.gif Tubes and IEMs don't play nicely. I don't remember the technical details but I believe Sugarfried made posts about this issue. In any case, aren't you getting a Tomahawk for the IEM?

Yes and I have a Hornet so It's not a big deal I just wanted to know if a tube amp would work with IEMS.

why would I order a 3 vs a 6 other than price?