[versace]

I think "reference" means neutrality, as opposed to colored sound. In my experience, it doesn't depend on whether it's SS or tube. My ECBA on a pair 300B is more neutral than many SS amps I heard, especially the Vioelectric amps. And it doesn't depend 100% on the tubes too. The WA5 is much more lush and euphonic sounding than the ECBA, although both use 300B tubes. IMHO, EC amps are more "reference", Woo Audio amps are sweeter.

I agree, my ECBA is neutral and transparent, but my WA22 is sweet and lush. (i love them both)

 

[reeltime]

Hi guys,

I need some advice from you experts. I'm looking for a dedicated headphone amp that would be considered "reference quality" that I can use as a reference when reviewing other amps, DACs, Headphones, cables and the like. It would have to have sufficient output to drive almost any headphone and have balanced and unbalanced outputs. I also have an eye towards value. Cost is an object. In my research here, I've read thousands of posts and have gotten some great ideas, but your opinions matter.

It seems to me that the WA22 might be what I'm looking for, but would you consider that "reference quality"?

If not, can you suggest something else at, say, $3000 and under, even if it's not a Woo?? (Collective gasp!)

If you could state why, that would be a big help. I've learned a lot from everybody here at Head-fi and I'm looking forward to learning more. (I know… A reviewer that admits he doesn't know everything…)

Thanks in advance for your advice.

P.S. I know specific tubes are critical, but that's for another post.

In my opinion, the amp you are describing is the GS-X mk2.    http://www.headamp.com/product-category/amplifiers/balanced/

 

[innocentblood]

I took delivery of my WA22 about 2 weeks ago and last night I realized that one of the 6080 tubes is not sitting flush like the other one. in fact, it seems to be crooked as can be seen in the pics. as I am a first time user, I can't tell if there is anything wrong with the sound or not but it just doesn't look normal for the tube to be situated like that. I tried pushing it down gently but it wouldn't budge. being a first time owner, I don't know how much pressure to exert without breaking anything. while waiting to hear back from Woo Audio, I thought i'd post here and ask for any advice... thank you for helping me

 

[Badas]

^
 
That's not good. The base should be down firm.
 
Are the pins bent?
I wouldn't use that tube.

 

[innocentblood]

  ^
 
That's not good. The base should be down firm.
 
Are the pins bent?
I wouldn't use that tube.

 
thank you for your swift reply. i can't see whether the pins are bent or not. I hope Woo Audio sees this msg & contacts my distributor in SG asap and helps me with this...

 

[artemart]

 
In my opinion, the amp you are describing is the GS-X mk2.    http://www.headamp.com/product-category/amplifiers/balanced/

I would agree with reeltime.
 
That is a very good reference amp if you want to save a bit you can find it here on the form used from $2,200-$2,400.

 

[Badas]

   
thank you for your swift reply. i can't see whether the pins are bent or not. I hope Woo Audio sees this msg & contacts my distributor in SG asap and helps me with this...

Carefully take the tube out dude. Don't use it.
 
Don't break the pins either.

 

[u2u2]

I took delivery of my WA22 about 2 weeks ago and last night I realized that one of the 6080 tubes is not sitting flush like the other one. in fact, it seems to be crooked as can be seen in the pics. as I am a first time user, I can't tell if there is anything wrong with the sound or not but it just doesn't look normal for the tube to be situated like that. I tried pushing it down gently but it wouldn't budge. being a first time owner, I don't know how much pressure to exert without breaking anything. while waiting to hear back from Woo Audio, I thought i'd post here and ask for any advice... thank you for helping me

I would carefully remove the tube and the clean the pins with Deoxit Gold G5 or similar. If you didn't hear the tube crack and you have been using it for two weeks it is almost certainly fine. The Deoxit will give you a better electrical contact and the remaining traces act as a lubricant making it easier to install and remove tubes without getting them askew. Old tubes don't often go in new sockets without some misalignment on the way in. The less the better but this happens. You just didn't push the tube down flush. After you clean it you will find it will seat much easier. I have had a couple that caused me huge grief and every one worked out fine. One was the same tube as you are having trouble with a then new to me WA22. Tubes and sockets deserve careful handling but they are way tougher than most of us give them credit for. No need to sweat just yet.

 

[Badas]

A bit of humor before the weekend.



I thought I would give this a try.

TAK 274B rectifier, Tung-Sol 6C8G drivers and 4 RCA 6C8G's as power tubes.

The result. Well it works but the sound is not all that. Stax of bass but not much detail. 4 6BL7's is better.

 

[jerick70]

I just read Tyll's review of the Taurus MK 2. Sounds like he's been using it as his reference for the last year or so. Opinions? I'm going to check out the thread on it if I can find one.

Here are a few other amps that you may want to look at.  The Taurus MK II is a little to cool for my taste but so are some of the other amps I list below.
 
1) Bryston BHA-1 http://bryston.com/products/power_amps/BHA-1.html
2) Apex Peak and Volcano http://www.apexhifi.com/Peak.htm

 

[artemart]

A bit of humor before the weekend.

I thought I would give this a try.

TAK 274B rectifier, Tung-Sol 6C8G drivers and 4 RCA 6C8G's as power tubes.

The result. Well it works but the sound is not all that. Stax of bass but not much detail. 4 6BL7's is better.

That looks nice.
 
I wish WA5 could use 6BL7 To 6AS7 adapter.
 
Also did any one try this adapters?
 
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pcs-Tube-Amplifier-2C22-2C22-Replace-6SN7-Tube-Socket-Adapter-Suzier-C7-/281951474429?hash=item41a59e12fd:g:vrMAAOSwyQtV5rmU
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Dual-6C8P-2C22-7193-CV6-CV3601-TO-6SN7GT-B65-CV1988-tube-converter-adapter-/191551519526?hash=item2c995c3b26:g:LdUAAOSwyQtVlRuP
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1pc-Gold-Dual-EL3N-TO-6SN7GT-B65-CV1988-tube-converter-adapter/191769639044?_trksid=p2047675.c100005.m1851&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D37184%26meid%3D26ec8585d5bd41b2b67fb60358be7eb1%26pid%3D100005%26rk%3D2%26rkt%3D6%26sd%3D191551519526

 

[Stereomojo]

Here are a few other amps that you may want to look at.  The Taurus MK II is a little to cool for my taste but so are some of the other amps I list below.

1) Bryston BHA-1 http://bryston.com/products/power_amps/BHA-1.html
2) Apex Peak and Volcano http://www.apexhifi.com/Peak.htm

Thanks Jerick! I tried to read the apex review at six moons but between all the ads and the psycho writing, I didn't get anything out of it other than it doesn't do balanced and I have to have an amp that does so I can review balanced headphones.

I've done several Bryston reviews and the BHA -1 looks promising. I'm sure they'll send me one.

After reading the Taurus thread, it's out of the running because of dubious quality and worse customer support. Can't have that.

Thanks again, Jerry. Very much appreciated.

 

[leftside]

The Bryston BHA-1 is a great amp. I had to do a lot of A/B listening compared to the WA22 (with high-end tubes)  before I started to notice the subtle differences.

 

[jerick70]

Thanks Jerick! I tried to read the apex review at six moons but between all the ads and the psycho writing, I didn't get anything out of it other than it doesn't do balanced and I have to have an amp that does so I can review balanced headphones.

I've done several Bryston reviews and the BHA -1 looks promising. I'm sure they'll send me one.

After reading the Taurus thread, it's out of the running because of dubious quality and worse customer support. Can't have that.

Thanks again, Jerry. Very much appreciated.

If you prefer the tube sound I would go the WA22 route. I do. I've tried SS kit and always end up back in the tube realm.

The Bryston gets high praise from Phil @ enjoythemusic.com. He picks it over the WA22 in his shootout review in 12/2012.

http://www.enjoythemusic.com/magazine/equipment/1212/headphone_amplifier_shootout.htm

 

[artemart]

Hey guys I been doing a lot of research about TA-300B and I can not find how long will they last only thing I have seen that it will easily get to 10,000 hours. Does any one know the actual number?