Woo Audio Amp Owner Unite

[TheAbyss2022]

Can anyone advise me if it would be better to get the Woo Audio 3ES or the Head Amp Blue Hawaii.

Currently have the Stax 009, 009S and Audeze CRBN.

 

[mab1376]

I don't own any electrostatics but at canjam my fav was the linear tube audio Z10E with the CRBN, but I preferred the x9000 more.

 

[Contrails]

Can anyone advise me if it would be better to get the Woo Audio 3ES or the Head Amp Blue Hawaii.

Currently have the Stax 009, 009S and Audeze CRBN.

Blue Hawaii. The Stax mafia would say the same and it would have better resale value.

 

[innocentblood]

I was browsing the Woo Audio site today, looking at the specs of the WA24. And then I went to the WA33 page and noticed the words Elite Edition [Final Production]

what does this mean? are they no longer making WA33 EE ? is there a successor to the WA33?

 

[Whazzzup]

Wa33 elite will grace this world while supplies last… concerning successor, that’s evolving story

 

[Contrails]

I was browsing the Woo Audio site today, looking at the specs of the WA24. And then I went to the WA33 page and noticed the words Elite Edition [Final Production]

what does this mean? are they no longer making WA33 EE ? is there a successor to the WA33?

I think the sales for the WA33/WA33EE are down since the WA23 came out. Makes sense that Woo is now stopping production of the WA33EE. Standard WA33 will probably stay as it meets the power requirements for Hps like Abyss/Susvara.

P.S. I haven't heard the WA23 but I love my WA33.

 

[elwappo99]

Can anyone advise me if it would be better to get the Woo Audio 3ES or the Head Amp Blue Hawaii.

Currently have the Stax 009, 009S and Audeze CRBN.

Resale value on the 3ES is quite bad. The amplifier design is pretty misleading. Blue Hawaii is classic and is among the best I've heard for stats.

 

[MRHiFiReviews]

Post in thread 'Woo Audio WA24 - 20th Anniversary Edition flagship Headphone Amplifier'
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/woo...ship-headphone-amplifier.974275/post-18374048

 

[Ninadada]

One of the greatest features of higher-end Schiit DACs is their versatility with three analog outputs (1 XLR, 2 RCA), so you can get their lovely sound to as many amplifiers as possible…

Agreed. But, what if you have 2 equally loved amps with balanced XLR inputs? Who gets the cheese? I'm using XLR from Yggy to MJ3 at the moment. May be adding a Woo WA22 soon. Any thoughts on which would benefit more from the XLR inputs?

 

[AudioDuck]

Agreed. But, what if you have 2 equally loved amps with balanced XLR inputs? Who gets the cheese? I'm using XLR from Yggy to MJ3 at the moment. May be adding a Woo WA22 soon. Any thoughts on which would benefit more from the XLR inputs?

Great question, and I honestly don’t know.

Three thoughts:
1. I’d recommend trying both and checking what you think sounds best.

2. It also will depend on if you’re driving balanced outputs from either to your headphone

3. Perhaps most importantly, what the topology of each amp is… ie if you have a fully-balanced/dual-mono amp, you should experience more benefits running a balanced signal from end to end. Not sure if either the MJ3 or WA22 are fully balanced, but you could read up to check.

My experience with running a fully balanced signal from DAC (Gungnir MB) to amp (Ray Samuels Emmeline The Apache, which is a dual-mono design), to powered speakers (balanced-in, and by nature dual-mono) was extremely low noise floor and a very black background. Music literally would leap at you out of nowhere.

One idea down the road could be to get a high-quality balanced switch. Pine Tree Audio makes good ones that would be far cheaper than another DAC.

 

[Ableza]

Agreed. But, what if you have 2 equally loved amps with balanced XLR inputs? Who gets the cheese? I'm using XLR from Yggy to MJ3 at the moment. May be adding a Woo WA22 soon. Any thoughts on which would benefit more from the XLR inputs?

Can't vouch for the quality of this one, but this is the type of device you need:
https://www.amazon.com/Balanced-Audio-Switcher-Passive-Splitter/dp/B07THHFJMT?th=1

You'd need two of those since it's mono, or find a stereo version.

 

[Ninadada]

Great question, and I honestly don’t know.

Three thoughts:
1. I’d recommend trying both and checking what you think sounds best.

2. It also will depend on if you’re driving balanced outputs from either to your headphone

3. Perhaps most importantly, what the topology of each amp is… ie if you have a fully-balanced/dual-mono amp, you should experience more benefits running a balanced signal from end to end. Not sure if either the MJ3 or WA22 are fully balanced, but you could read up to check.

My experience with running a fully balanced signal from DAC (Gungnir MB) to amp (Ray Samuels Emmeline The Apache, which is a dual-mono design), to powered speakers (balanced-in, and by nature dual-mono) was extremely low noise floor and a very black background. Music literally would leap at you out of nowhere.

One idea down the road could be to get a high-quality balanced switch. Pine Tree Audio makes good ones that would be far cheaper than another DAC.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Outputs to headphones are balanced. The MJ3 is dual mono and WA22 advertised as "Fully balanced". I'll start with your first point and let my ears guide the decision. Or maybe I'll find an extra Yggy I didn't know about that fell between the sofa cushions.

 

[AudioDuck]

Or maybe I'll find an extra Yggy I didn't know about that fell between the sofa cushions.

Glad to help, and I’d be happy to assist with looking between your couch cushions if prizes like that are possible!

 

[Patswalker]

Anyone interested I'm selling my silver Tube Mini + Power Base for $400. Anyone want it message me.

 

[mab1376]

Some Friday night listening with the RS1x
https://tidal.com/browse/track/112104996?u