[arftech]

I don't think I was clear on what I was trying to say. MY configuration will be Directstream analog balanced connection > Classe CP-800. Out of the CP-800 I will run an analog out to the the WA5 for headphone listening and run a balanced connection to the Classe CA-2100 amp if I want to use my towers. Of course when my towers are being used the WA5 LE will be powered off.

 

[CAJames]

Yes, I think I/we understand what you are saying. What the previous poster was saying is if you connect your WA5 to the preamp you'll get the best results if you can connect to a fixed output, not the same output kind of output you use to connect the power amp (that is volume controlled). I don't know the CP-800, but some preamps, like my AR preamp, has a REC OUT or a TAPE OUT or a FIXED OUTPUT that simply switches the input source and don't apply the volume and/or tone controls. If your preamp has an output like that you will get the best results using that for the WA5. The idea is to avoid having the signal go through both the volume control circuits in the CP-800 and WA5.

 

[arftech]

Got it and thanks. When it comes to headphone listening I’ll just take the CP-800 out of the chain and use the SE out from the Directstream. The DAC also has balanced analog outs and I’ll just use those to go balanced out to the CP-800.

 

[CAJames]

Sounds good, before I got my WA22 I used the REC OUT of my AR preamp for my headphone amp. It was fine, but I replaced both of them with the WA22 and both my headphones and my "speaker stereo" sound better than ever. So that is something to think about .

 

[Bonddam]

I had the joy of thinking my WA33 Elite took a dump.

 

[arftech]

“The joy”?

 

[Bonddam]

How I think my high end dac caused me too swap 18 tubes swap DAC's then I just powered everything done for 15 minutes and went back to normal. So in process the found out the stock tubes sound really good. Well put my upgrade tubes back and still good. Now I'm listing to headtrip and Cipher dac. Hopefully it was a fluke. I was getting distortion and DC pops and hum in left channel. Its great to have warranty but it sucks to use it.

 

[arftech]

I powered up my new WA5 LE this evening for the first time and noticed the right channel on it was distorting. The thing I didn’t do was allow a proper warm up of at least 10 minutes or so as I just started playing some tunes. The distortion continued for about 30 additional minutes but went away and it seems to be playing normally now without any further issues. Question 1. Will a warmup of this nature be required every time? Question 2. Can this be normal with some new units? Question 3. What could have caused the distortion? Tubes breaking in?

This is my first time with a tube amp of this quality and there are things I’m probably ignorant about when using it.

 

[CAJames]

Yes, with a brand new tube amp there are an almost limitless number of unpleasant possibilities while the tubes break in. My advice is to play music for at least 20 hours (others might advise even longer), preferably in cycles of several hours on and several hours off, before you do any critical listening.

 

[JLoud]

I believe Woo says no more than 4 hours at a time. Or something like that. More than likely tube breaking in. But until it stabilizes I wouldn't leave it unattended, just in case a tube goes bad. You don't want to leave it on with a bad tube. And make sure to have headphones plugged in of course.

 

[Lucky87]

Finally got my Takatuski 274B and I was supposed to get the KR Audio HP Tubes on Friday but got pushed to this Monday

Question does anyone know the tube break in hours?

Takatuski 274B =

KR Audio HP Tubes =

Thanks

 

[moemoney]

Finally got my Takatuski 274B and I was supposed to get the KR Audio HP Tubes on Friday but got pushed to this Monday

Question does anyone know the tube break in hours?

Takatuski 274B =

KR Audio HP Tubes =

Thanks

I don’t know for sure but I stop counting after around 150hrs. And now I am enjoying music more because I’m just listing, and not counting.

 

[arftech]

I will admit that I’m a novice when it comes to tube amps. It is what it is.

However, after i power down my amp I hear a faint tinging sound for a few minutes. Is this normal?

 

[JLoud]

Yes it’s normal. Just the tubes cooling off. Nothing to worry about.

 

[skhan007]

I read in a couple of places that the Woo WA3 is a good match for ZMF headphones (300 Ohms). Since that model is discontinued, what model is a good match? Is the WA6 the replacement?