Woo Audio Amp Owner Unite

[musicman59]

Funny, laste year at Canjam Jack and I taked about making a WA5 balanced amplifier. Dureing the discussion we kick arounf the concept and he mentioned it would need to be a monoblock version with 3 pieces. One power supply unit and two amplification units (one per channel) and the cost would be around the $10K range. Now there is a flag ship monoblock amplifier released and at about the same price point.
 
It's really fantastic how fast Jack was able to bring to reallity a concept based on an idea during a conversation

 

[Clayton SF]

 
Quote:

Hi All,
We have just made an announcement for a new flagship amp. Please check the Sponsor Announcement thread.
The new 24/192k DAC and top loading CD transport will also be released at the same time.
Cheers,
Jack

 
I think it is very exciting to see Woo Audio branch out with a DAC and a CD transport. I would love to have a Woo CD transport and Woo DAC both a-sitting pretty right next to a Woo amp.
 
Well done, Jack!
 

 

[dannie01]

While Jack is releasing some good news, BAD luck again to me.
 
Yes, it happens again on my WA5LE. I'm listening Mutter's Tchaikvosky Violin Concerto, the amp suddenly without sounding.

 I checked the Linn DS connection instantly in my laptop, no, it didn't. Then I looked at the amp, both 2 blue power lights are on, the EAT300Bs and 6SN7s are lighted up too but the EML 5U4G, they are not lighting up anymore, sign...................................

 
Now, I've turn it off and wait for it to cool down and will try if it can on and sound again. I have a spare Russia 5Z4G stock tubes on hand, if the EML cannot be lighted up  again I will try with these tubes. Hope the EML will not die so soon together while I just have a pair of Mullard being dead.
 
 
EDIT 1. Turn the amp on again but with no luck, the EML 5U4Gs are not lighting up and of course, no sound at all. Replaced the EMLs by Rusia 5Z4G and turn on the amp again, there is nothing happen in first few seconds then some blue sparks light inside the Russia tubes.

 Then the tubes light up in normal and the amp sound again. OMG, that's mean I have another pair of costly tubes went bad. I've checked with those mesh plate on the EML 5U4G, both 2 plates are quite dark in color and something like rust on it. I will checked with my invoice from Jacmusic see wheter they are still under the warranty or not. Wish me luck guys, wondering I have to hold back the purchase of the Q Cable for the LCD-2 for a new pair of 5U4G
 
EDIT 2. Just checked the invoice from JacMusic, bad bad news again and again, the warranty just expired on 22 Aug 2011,&%^&*(*&%$$#@@

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

While Jack is releasing some good news, BAD luck again to me.
 
Yes, it happens again on my WA5LE. I'm listening Mutter's Tchaikvosky Violin Concerto, the amp suddenly without sounding.

 I checked the Linn DS connection instantly in my laptop, no, it didn't. Then I looked at the amp, both 2 blue power lights are on, the EAT300Bs and 6SN7s are lighted up too but the EML 5U4G, they are not lighting up anymore, sign...................................

 
Now, I've turn it off and wait for it to cool down and will try if it can on and sound again. I have a spare Russia 5Z4G stock tubes on hand, if the EML cannot be lighted up  again I will try with these tubes. Hope the EML will not die so soon together while I just have a pair of Mullard being dead.

Sorry to hear bout your experience - we're hoping for the best! Please tell me you've had the EML Glass for more than 12 months (I'm getting concerned... again).

 

[Clayton SF]

Hey, dannie01. I am so sorry to hear that. So 2 EML 5U4G mesh plate tubes are not lighted? This is your modded WA5LE, yes?

 

[dannie01]

Quote:

Sorry to hear bout your experience - we're hoping for the best! Please tell me you've had the EML Glass for more than 12 months (I'm getting concerned... again).

Correct, the warranty just expired for less than a month........................................

 


Quote:

Hey, dannie01. I am so sorry to hear that. So 2 EML 5U4G mesh plate tubes are not lighted? This is your modded WA5LE, yes?

Yes, only in the driver unit but I have nothing mod in the PSU that's where the EML sitting.

 

[dannie01]

Beside the Mullard ECC32, I have another pair of EML 5U4G Mesh Plate that will be framed in a good looking wood frame hang in my wall for decoration. 

 
BTW, beside EML, does anyone could recommend something good NOS, thanks.

 

[Clayton SF]

Quote:

Beside the Mullard ECC32, I have another pair of EML 5U4G Mesh Plate that will be framed in a good looking wood frame hang in my wall for decoration. 

 
BTW, beside EML, does anyone could recommend something good NOS, thanks.

So both of the EMLs died at exactly the same time? That is curious. I don't think tubes themselves would go bad at exactly the same time unless the amp had something to do with it. Just my guess.
 

 

[dannie01]

Quote:

So both of the EMLs died at exactly the same time? That is curious. I don't think tubes themselves would go bad at exactly the same time unless the amp had something to do with it. Just my guess.
 

Yes, that's wierd. The Mullard and EML died exactly in the same time, check it again and found both 2 are no lighting up. But the amp is now back to sings again with the Russia tubes.
 

 

[Golfnutz]

 
Quote:

Yes, that's wierd. The Mullard and EML died exactly in the same time, check it again and found both 2 are no lighting up. But the amp is now back to sings again with the Russia tubes.
 

Dannie, I wouldn't be investing in anything too expensive as a replacement (not yet anyway). If it happens again, then there's definitely something wrong with the amp.
 
 

 

[dannie01]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Golfnutz /img/forum/go_quote.gif
 

Dannie, I wouldn't be investing in anything too expensive as a replacement (not yet anyway). If it happens again, then there's definitely something wrong with the amp.
 
 

Agree, I put the stock Russia tubes in it and let it run for some days or weeks to see if it will go wrong again or not. Will not put any expensive replacement in the moment.
 
 

 

[Silent One]

Quote:

Agree, I put the stock Russia tubes in it and let it run for some days or weeks to see if it will go wrong again or not. Will not put any expensive replacement in the moment.
 
 

In addition to checking (and rechecking) the PSU, I would also check the household current - something is taking them out!
 

 

[dannie01]

Quote:

In addition to checking (and rechecking) the PSU, I would also check the household current - something is taking them out!
 

Thanks for the advise but I don't think there is a matter about the household current since I have the WA5LE connected to a 2000w isolation transformer.
 

 

[Clayton SF]

Quote:

Thanks for the advise but I don't think there is a matter about the household current since I have the WA5LE connected to a 2000w isolation transformer.

At any time did the fuse get blown? Probably not, otherwise you would have mentioned it.
 
 

 

[shipsupt]

I'd be nervous about the amp at this point.  Are there some checks that can be made to be sure things are within specification?
 
Quote:

So both of the EMLs died at exactly the same time? That is curious. I don't think tubes themselves would go bad at exactly the same time unless the amp had something to do with it. Just my guess.