[musicman59]

  Hi All,
 
I'm posting on this thread to get some advice.  I'm in a dilemma where I am looking at a new WA5-LE V2 that I can get from an authorized dealer for a good price.  My challenge is whether I should consider a WA22 also.  I'm running a Brooklyn DAC with a Violectric 281 all balanced.  Phones are HEX's.  I'm keeping the V281.  I can use a balanced  cascade from the Violectric to the Woo. Most of the reviews and comparisons were of the old V1 WA5-LE's. I know that the WA5-LE V2 is single ended even though it uses balanced in and out. Should I wait to find a WA22 or will the WA5-LE V2 be a superior experience.  Space is not really a concern.  

Some years ago I was with the same dilemma...... 
My systems are balanced from front end to speakers so I was partial to get a balanced amplifier. I met Jack in show and explained what i was looking for so he set me up to try the WA22. I was very happy with what I heard but then Jack asked me to listen to the WA5 and IMO it blew away the WA22 even being single ended. Jack mentioned that the WA5 or WA5-LE were better amps than the WA22 and it was confirm with what I heard so I changed my mind and ordered a WA5-LE with all the parts and tubes upgardes and then in addition to that all wiring used was NeoTech OCC Copper, all solder was Cardas Eutectic and the RCA sockets are WBT NextGen.

 

[musicman59]

I prefer a wee bit warm over neutral and more dynamic than flat. I listen to stuff like Steely Dan and jazz ,jazz fusion as opposed to symphonies. Budget for a DAC is around 2k and would like something in the 24/352 range.

Get a Bricasti M1 SE. I have two of them (one feeding a WA5-LE) and totally love them.
 
Ignore my recommendation. I did not see your budget limit.

 

[jerick70]

I prefer a wee bit warm over neutral and more dynamic than flat. I listen to stuff like Steely Dan and jazz ,jazz fusion as opposed to symphonies. Budget for a DAC is around 2k and would like something in the 24/352 range.

 
The DAC I'm going to recommend is the Holo Audio Spring DAC.  This is in your budget and has the bit rate you want.  I've had my eye on the Holo for a little while.  It gets very good reviews on head-fi and elsewhere.  You can purchase it in 3 different levels.  The different levels have various component upgrades.  
 
https://kitsunehifi.com/product/springdacgreen/
http://www.head-fi.org/t/810065/holo-audio-spring-r2r-dac

 

[Leotis]

I use an Oppo 105. Has ESS Saber 32 DAC. Reference grade I believe. Plus it plays SACD and BlueRay. (has a HP amp also. Just OK)
Not sure of max bit rate. Don't think the sound signature is considered "warm." Probably more like neutral. Sounds wonderful with my WA5. And only $1500.
I think the WA5 power cord (using a Shunyata Phyton Alpha) and the tubes especially make all the difference. I'd take the extra $500 and start saving for some Takatsukis. YMMV.

 

[Badas]

  I use an Oppo 105. Has ESS Saber 32 DAC. Reference grade I believe. Plus it plays SACD and BlueRay. (has a HP amp also. Just OK)
Not sure of max bit rate. Don't think the sound signature is considered "warm." Probably more like neutral. Sounds wonderful with my WA5. And only $1500.
I think the WA5 power cord (using a Shunyata Phyton Alpha) and the tubes especially make all the difference. I'd take the extra $500 and start saving for some Takatsukis. YMMV.

The Oppo 105 has the same DAC that is installed in the Oppo HA-1. I and other members wanted to take a hammer to that DAC. Very sparkly in the treble. It was the biggest improvement to my system ever achieved when I replaced that DAC.
 
A lot better DAC can be found.

 

[Leotis]

Good to know. On the other hand the HA-1 amp probably had something to do with it. Probably sounds similar to the HP amp built into the Oppo 105 which doesn't sound great. Using the 2 channel analog output on the 105 bypasses that circuitry. 3 of the 4 Oppos I have were modified by ModWright to replace the  op amp gain stages in the 2 channel output with discrete circuits (whatever that means) I know the ESS Sabre 32 is highly regarded in general. And aside from the headphone output the Oppo is reputed to sound way better than it's price point.  I really do not like aggressive top end, and I'm pretty happy with what I hear. As mentioned YMMV.

 

[pofdstudios]

Would love something like a Chord Dave but without costing more than my Harley Davidson and the Science fiction looks.

 

[Badas]

  Good to know. On the other hand the HA-1 amp probably had something to do with it. Probably sounds similar to the HP amp built into the Oppo 105 which doesn't sound great. Using the 2 channel analog output on the 105 bypasses that circuitry. 3 of the 4 Oppos I have were modified by ModWright to replace the  op amp gain stages in the 2 channel output with discrete circuits (whatever that means) I know the ESS Sabre 32 is highly regarded in general. And aside from the headphone output the Oppo is reputed to sound way better than it's price point.  I really do not like aggressive top end, and I'm pretty happy with what I hear. As mentioned YMMV.

I think the whole Oppo ESS Sabre setup was geared towards speakers. The Oppo HA-1 sounded great with speakers as a preamp.
Speakers can get away with a sparkly treble and often it is preferred. The room itself will kill some treble detail.
When it comes to HP's it entirely a different story.
 
I used the Oppo DAC into the Woo WA22 and didn't like what I heard either. The same sparkly treble flowed to the WA22. So it wasn't the Oppo's amp. The Oppo HA-1 amp was actually very dull. I think on purpose to help balance the bright DAC.
 
Picking a DAC for HP's is difficult. Also there is far less options.
From all the DAC's I have heard this is how I would rank them (worst to best).
 
Oppo HA-1, Cambridge DAC magic, Arcam irDAC, DAC inbuilt into the Sim Audio 230HA, Hegal HD30, Auralic Vega, Yaggy and Bricasti.
 
The last 3 are all great with HP's and don't produce nasty treble for HP's.

 

[Badas]

 
Would love something like a Chord Dave but without costing more than my Harley Davidson and the Science fiction looks.

Yeah! A Chord Dave would be nice.
 
I would really like to give their 2Qute a go.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Get this Sony ES DAC/amp. Pairs nicely with WA22.
 
Woo Audio is authorized Sony ES & Signature Series dealer. 
 
http://www.sonypremiumhome.com/signature-series/TA-ZH1ES.php
 

 
UPDATE:
 
A member PM me concerned about this post. I only said we sell it because Sony Signature Series products are limited to a hand full of authorized dealers in the U.S. and Woo is one of them. It would not be a good recommendation if the member can't find anywhere that sells it.
 
In my personal and professional experience, you should not buy a DAC based on the chipset and its specs. Those things won't tell you if the DAC sounds good or not. I have personally used this Sony ES DAC/amp and compared it to others costing much more. We wouldn't make a recommendation on anything is it wasn't worth buying. Our reputation is at stake each time we make a recommendation. 

 

[Leotis]

 
I think the whole Oppo ESS Sabre setup was geared towards speakers. The Oppo HA-1 sounded great with speakers as a preamp.
Speakers can get away with a sparkly treble and often it is preferred. The room itself will kill some treble detail.
When it comes to HP's it entirely a different story.
 
I used the Oppo DAC into the Woo WA22 and didn't like what I heard either. The same sparkly treble flowed to the WA22. So it wasn't the Oppo's amp. The Oppo HA-1 amp was actually very dull. I think on purpose to help balance the bright DAC.
 
Picking a DAC for HP's is difficult. Also there is far less options.
From all the DAC's I have heard this is how I would rank them (worst to best).
 
Oppo HA-1, Cambridge DAC magic, Arcam irDAC, DAC inbuilt into the Sim Audio 230HA, Hegal HD30, Auralic Vega, Yaggy and Bricasti.
 
The last 3 are all great with HP's and don't produce nasty treble for HP's.

Good to know... but now you are going to possibly cost me some $$$.
I admit I don't have an extensive frame of reference for DACs.
Still my setup seems to work. Maybe because the Tung Sol 6SN7GT doesn't seem to push the top end so much. I will admit that the Sylvania 6SN7GT is a little too bright with my rig.
The Abyss headphones might have something to do with it also. They have such prodigious bass that maybe a more forward top end is somewhat balanced out.

 

[pippen99]

   
 
Oppo HA-1, Cambridge DAC magic, Arcam irDAC, DAC inbuilt into the Sim Audio 230HA, Hegal HD30, Auralic Vega, Yaggy and Bricasti.
 
The last 3 are all great with HP's and don't produce nasty treble for HP's.

I can vouch for the Auralic Vega.  It was my DAC paired with my WA5 for almost two years until I got the PS Directstream DAC.  I still have it but its just sitting around in it's box.

 

[jerick70]

You may want to look at Audio GD DACs too.

 

[Badas]

I can vouch for the Auralic Vega.  It was my DAC paired with my WA5 for almost two years until I got the PS Directstream DAC.  I still have it but its just sitting around in it's box.

Someone should give you a offer for it. It is too good to leave in a box.

 

[pippen99]

Someone should give you a offer for it. It is too good to leave in a box.

I am open to offers.  Anything reasonable.