Woo Audio Amp Owner Unite

[TonyNewman]

  I have the WA5 plus LCD-XC, I think it's a great combo. I compared it against an HE-6 for a week and the LCD-XC soundly trounced it, not even a contest.

 
Was it a modded HE6 (fuzzor+grill+pads)? I find the stock HE6 uncomfortable to wear and not that great sounding, even from a WA5

 
I didn't say the LCD-X sounds bad out of the WA5 - it sounds fine - but to my ears the SS Taurus drives it better. YMMV.

 

[TonyNewman]

  Have you got pics and info on the HE6 Mod? 
 
Thanks for all the other tips as well. You tried EML 300b's?

 
The HE6 thread has a metric buttload of pictures and advice on how to mod the headphone. It's a great thread for any HE6 owner - highly recommend it.
 
The only slightly 'tricky' mod of the 3 is the fuzzor. I was lazy and did what I call a 'fuzzor-lite' - this is where I only apply the 3.5mm wide felt strips to the central structure of the headphone and ignore the outer area. It works fine and seems to do plenty of treble taming (enough for my tastes anyway). Pic below.
 

 
This is quick and easy to apply. A 'full fuzzor' is a bit more complicated as the felt is applied to the outer edge as well. The HE6 thread has pics.
 
I would love to try the EML mesh 300Bs - I keep hearing great things about them. I already have 3 sets of flagship 300Bs (Psvane replicas / SERPs / EATs) so I really struggle to justify the cost of another set - if I ever did the EML mesh would definitely be on the list.

 

[kazsud]

Anyone here heard both the WA2 and WA5? I will be getting the WA5 soon and have the WA2 - I'm just wondering if I will loose out on bass quantity or extension? 

I did plan on getting a 2A3 amp but have decided on the WA5 instead - I have heard that 300b amps can be slightly lean


Also if anyone can say what the amp is like with Audeze cans I;'m all ears. I will be using HD800 for the first few months but will eventually get an Audeze headphone. 

Ask Dubstepgirl

 

[Stereolab42]

   
Was it a modded HE6 (fuzzor+grill+pads)? I find the stock HE6 uncomfortable to wear and not that great sounding, even from a WA5

 
I didn't say the LCD-X sounds bad out of the WA5 - it sounds fine - but to my ears the SS Taurus drives it better. YMMV.

 
It was a rental HE6 so no modding. The HE6 is getting on in years now and I keep hearing rumors they will come out with another flagship soon, maybe that will not require modding.

 

[TonyNewman]

   
It was a rental HE6 so no modding. The HE6 is getting on in years now and I keep hearing rumors they will come out with another flagship soon, maybe that will not require modding.

 
If they could put the same ultra-thin transducer in a better housing that would be a great start - and maybe improve those awful threaded cable connectors.

 

[magiccabbage]

Ask Dubstepgirl

I did - was looking for another few opinions. Just to get a feel for it. Sure I will know soon enough myself.

 

[Clayton SF]

  I haven't been on this thread in a while. I could have a surprise coming my way soon. 
 
Ill give you a hint...... its got the number 5 in it. 

 

Congrats magiccabbage! Did you get any of the upgrades? Currently the Woos I own are the WA4 (2004), WA4 (2011), WA22, WA6, and I sold my WA2 with Black Gate Caps. I think there's room in my apartment for a WA5 but I'll have to wait to speak to Ultrainferno. He has the best advice ever (for beer and for audio equipment). Oh yes, and for chocolates, too.

 

[magiccabbage]

 
Congrats magiccabbage! Did you get any of the upgrades? Currently the Woos I own are the WA4 (2004), WA4 (2011), WA22, WA6, and I sold my WA2 with Black Gate Caps. I think there's room in my apartment for a WA5 but I'll have to wait to speak to Ultrainferno. He has the best advice ever (for beer and for audio equipment). Oh yes, and for chocolates, too.

I didn't get the parts upgrade but I am trying to get some tubes for when it arrives. 
 
I would love to hear it through your Zu floor standers. Its a pity we live so far apart. 

 

[TonyNewman]

  I would love to hear it through your Zu floor standers. Its a pity we live so far apart.

 
Just my 2 cents, I found the WA5 OK as a speaker amp, but a dedicated SET speaker amp absolutely kills it.
 
I was able to A/B compare my Triode 845SE amp with the WA5 driving my Brodmanns (and before that some Monitor Audio BR5s) - in every way the dedicated speaker amp outperformed the WA5. It wasn't just a power thing - the 300B version of the Triode SET amp (which also outputs 8W) also did a much better job than the WA5.
 
On the reverse, the headphone output on the Triode 845SE doesn't come close to the delivery of the WA5.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Hi All,
Can anybody who has experience with the amps named below give me some pointers as have this dilema regarding having the right electrostatic and dynamic set up's for most genres of music ranging from Rock to Classical to Jazz to R&B using mainly HD650's, HD800's and Stax 009's.  I also have Audeze LCD2's V2 non Fazor 
 
On the dynamic side I currently have my Woo WA3, WA6 SE and WA22.  They all have plusses and minuses for different genres of music and type of tubes being used.   The WA22 to me sounds the best overall out of the three across all genres of music although the WA3 (warm tuby sound) and WA6 SE (more neutral less warmer sound) are also very good depending on types of music I am listening too.   This is with all three having Woo Audio recommended tube upgrades. 
 
On the electrostatic side  I currently have a WEE for my Stax 009's linked to my Chord Electronics Cyan Click Integrated Amp.  This also has pluses and minuses overall a respectable sound if a bit bright (especially with rock guitar tracks) but very clear, transparant with a tighter bass than the dynamic set-ups. 
 
I use my Chord Electronics QBD76 DAC for all amps which is on the neutral transparent side with a touch or warmth to it depending on how I use it i.e. through my MacBook on the neutral brighter side and digital sounding with my Chord Blu CD transporter more warmer and analogue sounding.  I use it in balanced mode for the WA22 and when linking to the Cyan Click integrated amp. 
 
First part of my dilema is;
 
Should I buy;
1) A maxxed out WA5 with upgrade tubes using it for both my dynamic headphones and Stax 009's with the WEE and selling my WA3, WA6 SE, WA22 and Chord Cyan Click
 
2) A maxxed out WES with upgrade tubes keeping the WA22 and selling my WA3, WA6 SE, WEE and Chord Cyan Click
 
3) A maxxes out GES with upgrade tubes keeping the WA22 and selling my WA3, WA6 SE, WEE and Chord Cyan Click
 
The second part of my dilema is;
 
1) I have put a deposit on a HeadAmp GS-X-Mk2 for my dynamic headphones
 
2) I have put a deposit on a HeadAmp BHSE for my Stax 009's
 
The reason why the second dilema is a dilema is I have heard a BHSE through my Chord QBD76 DAC a few weeks back with a fellow HeadFi.org member.  With my Stax 009's it sounded quite flat, lifeless, boring and not much power or volume to it although it was very clear and tranparant.  I was very disappointed and wondering how a $6,000 + could sound so bad.  We compared it to the WEE with the Cyan Click and Stax 009's this sounded much better overall with plenty of volume and energy although not as transparant and clear as the BHSE but a lot more enjoyable to listen too.   These findings are documented in the BHSE postings.   The owner of the BHSE loves his amp and says it sounds amazing at his home with a different (and single ended not balanced) DAC. 
 
All of these choices are serious money.  As I work and live in the UK it is not easy to listen to the set-ups mentioned above so I normally buy and try in the comfort of my homes giving myself time to make a good analysis of what I like which of course is very expensive !.  

 

[kazsud]

Buy the GES and WA5 w/ the parts upgrade and buy your tubes elsewhere. Sell your other Woos and don't cancel your GSX or BSHE.

You lucky s.o.b

 

[TonyNewman]

Buy the GES and WA5 w/ the parts upgrade and buy your tubes elsewhere. Sell your other Woos and don't cancel your GSX or BSHE.

You lucky s.o.b

 
I'd keep with the WA5 and BHSE and GSX and dump the GES.
 
If you are going all the way to an SR009 you should drive it with the best electrostatic amp out there - and everything that I have read tells me that is the BHSE.
 
Definitely buy your tubes elsewhere - except for perhaps the SERPs, if you want those. For anything else I would be definitely go elsewhere.
 
GSX is up with the best available solid state amps. The WA5 is excellent with the right tubes and can drive the HE6 with its 8W K1K socket (something no other tube headphone amp I know of, except for the 845 based the 10K Egoista, can do).

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

Buy the GES and WA5 w/ the parts upgrade and buy your tubes elsewhere. Sell your other Woos and don't cancel your GSX or BSHE.

You lucky s.o.b

Thank you for your reply kazsud.   Much appreciated.

 

[Bonesy Jonesy]

   
I'd keep with the WA5 and BHSE and GSX and dump the GES.
 
If you are going all the way to an SR009 you should drive it with the best electrostatic amp out there - and everything that I have read tells me that is the BHSE.
 
Definitely buy your tubes elsewhere - except for perhaps the SERPs, if you want those. For anything else I would be definitely go elsewhere.
 
GSX is up with the best available solid state amps. The WA5 is excellent with the right tubes and can drive the HE6 with its 8W K1K socket (something no other tube headphone amp I know of, except for the 845 based the 10K Egoista, can do).

Thank you TonyNewman for your informative reply.  Very much appreciated. 

 

[musicman59]

  Hi All,
Can anybody who has experience with the amps named below give me some pointers as have this dilema regarding having the right electrostatic and dynamic set up's for most genres of music ranging from Rock to Classical to Jazz to R&B using mainly HD650's, HD800's and Stax 009's.  I also have Audeze LCD2's V2 non Fazor 
 
On the dynamic side I currently have my Woo WA3, WA6 SE and WA22.  They all have plusses and minuses for different genres of music and type of tubes being used.   The WA22 to me sounds the best overall out of the three across all genres of music although the WA3 (warm tuby sound) and WA6 SE (more neutral less warmer sound) are also very good depending on types of music I am listening too.   This is with all three having Woo Audio recommended tube upgrades. 
 
On the electrostatic side  I currently have a WEE for my Stax 009's linked to my Chord Electronics Cyan Click Integrated Amp.  This also has pluses and minuses overall a respectable sound if a bit bright (especially with rock guitar tracks) but very clear, transparant with a tighter bass than the dynamic set-ups. 
 
I use my Chord Electronics QBD76 DAC for all amps which is on the neutral transparent side with a touch or warmth to it depending on how I use it i.e. through my MacBook on the neutral brighter side and digital sounding with my Chord Blu CD transporter more warmer and analogue sounding.  I use it in balanced mode for the WA22 and when linking to the Cyan Click integrated amp. 
 
First part of my dilema is;
 
Should I buy;
1) A maxxed out WA5 with upgrade tubes using it for both my dynamic headphones and Stax 009's with the WEE and selling my WA3, WA6 SE, WA22 and Chord Cyan Click
 
2) A maxxed out WES with upgrade tubes keeping the WA22 and selling my WA3, WA6 SE, WEE and Chord Cyan Click
 
3) A maxxes out GES with upgrade tubes keeping the WA22 and selling my WA3, WA6 SE, WEE and Chord Cyan Click
 
The second part of my dilema is;
 
1) I have put a deposit on a HeadAmp GS-X-Mk2 for my dynamic headphones
 
2) I have put a deposit on a HeadAmp BHSE for my Stax 009's
 
The reason why the second dilema is a dilema is I have heard a BHSE through my Chord QBD76 DAC a few weeks back with a fellow HeadFi.org member.  With my Stax 009's it sounded quite flat, lifeless, boring and not much power or volume to it although it was very clear and tranparant.  I was very disappointed and wondering how a $6,000 + could sound so bad.  We compared it to the WEE with the Cyan Click and Stax 009's this sounded much better overall with plenty of volume and energy although not as transparant and clear as the BHSE but a lot more enjoyable to listen too.   These findings are documented in the BHSE postings.   The owner of the BHSE loves his amp and says it sounds amazing at his home with a different (and single ended not balanced) DAC. 
 
All of these choices are serious money.  As I work and live in the UK it is not easy to listen to the set-ups mentioned above so I normally buy and try in the comfort of my homes giving myself time to make a good analysis of what I like which of course is very expensive !.  

I personally would go with a maxxed out WA5 for tube amplifier. It will drive everything out there on dynamic and electromagnetic headphones.
For SS the GS-X is a nice amplifier but with money no object I would go with the McIntosh MHA100 and for the SR-009  I would go with the RSA A-10 Thunderbolt. I have listen to the WES, BHSE and the A-10 and to my taste the A-10 is a better match plus if you have a speaker system it also work great as a pre-amp. 
 
The A-10 is in my wish list for next year.