Woo Audio Amp Owner Unite

[Silent One]

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Thanks, project86. I'm looking to make my way through the entry-level doorway with Stax. WooAudio could very well be the host waiting for me 

on the other side.

No problem. I know how intimidating it can be thinking that any decent Stax rig must cost a fortune. Yes, it's still not cheap, but $499 for the WEE plus $580 for the SR-407 is not too terrible (assuming you already own a halfway decent amp or integrated). 

Yes, additional costs continue to give me pause. Though, if I had committed earlier in the year and suspended other tweaks, I would have completed the transition already.

 At least both of my amps will not leave reason for pause - both sound wonderful (custom built OTL amp by 2359glenn & a 1980 Pioneer SX-D7000). 

My Stax entry was even less, as my Lambda Pro was $375 shipped including a brand-new set of OE earpads purchased separately. Loving it, today is the first day that I put on a different headphone since I tried the Lambdas. I really like that I can stay in preamp mode with the WA22 and just turn the switch on the WEE to use a different headphone

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Hoping Sandy will lose both energy and interest, sparing all of you...

Yes, stay high and dry Right Coast Woosies!

 
 
How's the Bass-Mid-Treble response with those Lambda Pro's? Now you really have me reassessing November tweaks!

 

[grokit]

How's the Bass-Mid-Treble response with those Lambda Pro's? Now you really have me reassessing November tweaks!

The Lambdas seem to be thought of as a bit of a departure from the signature Stax sound as far as I can tell, they have been said to have a unique coloration. I find them to be surprisingly musical in a neutral sort of way. I would say that all three areas of the spectrum are well represented, and overall they sound more dynamic than I would have thought, even punchy at times without being intrusive or fatiguing. The details are definitely there, while the imaging sounds open and unrestricted. Overall a very nice listen and at all as analytical as I had feared or expected.
It is the first headphone that has made my ears perspire in quite some time but it's not too bad

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Quote:

How's the Bass-Mid-Treble response with those Lambda Pro's? Now you really have me reassessing November tweaks!

The Lambdas seem to be thought of as a bit of a departure from the signature Stax sound as far as I can tell, they have been said to have a unique coloration. I find them to be surprisingly musical in a neutral sort of way. I would say that all three areas of the spectrum are well represented, and overall they sound more dynamic than I would have thought, even punchy at times without being intrusive or fatiguing. The details are definitely there, while the imaging sounds open and unrestricted. Overall a very nice listen and at all as analytical as I had feared or expected.
It is the first headphone that has made my ears perspire in quite some time but it's not too bad

 
Let's start with the classifieds and see if my feet stay warm.

 

[project86]

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I enjoyed your WEE write-up Project86. I sorted through speaker amps first with the HE6, so I did not try it with others but I agree with your assessments for the most part. Of course I am using different Stax headphones, and I have not heard anything at all objectionable through them which I found to be pleasantly surprising. On that note, my only criticism is that I would have liked to have seen a picture of the 404LE that you used included in the article! All in all, I am in full agreement that the WEE is an excellent choice for those looking to test the Stax waters. That's a very good thing, considering it is the only modern interpretation of a Stax energizer available. You mentioned that the WEE was sent to you specifically for review purposes along with the headphones; will you be keeping them?

 
 
Not sure why, but this comment stuck with me so much that I grabbed a terrible shot with my phone. Does that make up for it?
 
 
 

 

[grokit]

Thanks!

Those look exactly like my Lambda Pros btw.

 

[project86]

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Thanks!

Those look exactly like my Lambda Pros btw.

 
Yeah I think you have to look really closely to spot the differences. There are a few instances of "limited edition" branding - on the side of the cups, and the bottoms, and top of the plastic headband frame thingy. Also I think your pad (which touches the head) is a suede type of material, while the 404LE uses a more traditional leather. Were I not so lazy (AKA if I was a better photographer) I'd take some pics but instead I'll link to THIS which has great pics already done.

 

[Jhawkins]

Hi there,
 
I'm close to getting a WA22.
 
Does anyone know how the WA22 compares to the WA6-SE, when running an unbalanced signal into the WA22.
 
Thanks for any advice.

 

[MacedonianHero]

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Hi there,
 
I'm close to getting a WA22.
 
Does anyone know how the WA22 compares to the WA6-SE, when running an unbalanced signal into the WA22.
 
Thanks for any advice.

About on par unbalanced. Balanced, its a whole new ballgame. 

 

[ardilla]

Balanced WA22 doubles the wattage due to internal design. 

 

[Loevhagen]

The objective story: I have e.g. HE-6 and LCD-3 and they play both very good on the Schiit stack. WA22 is however a tad more intelligent design wise.
 
Anyone listened to the MA22 and the Mjolinr?

 

[MacedonianHero]

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The objective story: I have e.g. HE-6 and LCD-3 and they play both very good on the Schiit stack. WA22 is however a tad more intelligent design wise.
 
Anyone listened to the MA22 and the Mjolinr?

Solude has. 

 

[Solude]

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WA22 is however a tad more intelligent design wise.
 

 
This must mean something different to you  WA22 is a brute force nothing fancy bridged amp that uses a transformer to sum the output to single ended output.  The Mjolnir is however a piece of art and one of kind, like patent, kind of intelligent.
 
That aside the two amps couldn't sound more different.  And if I wanted the WA22 more laidback, warm full sound... I'd get the B22 for the improved sound stage.  The Mjolnir is all about clarity and dynamics which in comparison is also less deep down low.

 

[grokit]

I tried the HE6 out of the WA22, not a good match unfortunately. WA5 is the only Woo that can drive it well.

 

[Jhawkins]

Any insight regarding the outputs on the WA22.  
 
Considering they all output the same signal, is it worth upgrading cables for connection's sake?  I would guess not. 
 
Thanks for any advice.

 

[Solude]

No.