[ColSaulTigh]

Woo crew!

Does anyone have any recent experience with the WA5/WA5-LE? I'm considering it as my next H/P/A (among others). Will it be a significant upgrade from my WA6-SE's?

Thanks!

 

[SteveHulk]

Woo crew!

Does anyone have any recent experience with the WA5/WA5-LE? I'm considering it as my next H/P/A (among others). Will it be a significant upgrade from my WA6-SE's?

Thanks!

I have the WA5LE with the upgrades and I love it.

Don't know about the WA6.

 

[musicman59]

I used to own the WA5-LE v1. Never heard the WA6-SE but when I was buying and amplifier I compared the WA5-LE to the WA22 because I was wanting to go fully balanced. Based on what I heard and Jack’s recommendation I picked the WA5-LE over the WA22.

I supposed the v2 is better with more power than the v1 had.

 

[Designer Tiger]

I have the WA5LE with the upgrades and I love it.

Don't know about the WA6.

Did you compare the sounds between XLR and RCA on WA5?

I am using XLR balanced cable on my wa234, but I feel the RCA should be better sounding because they should be single end.

 

[musicman59]

Did you compare the sounds between XLR and RCA on WA5?

I am using XLR balanced cable on my wa234, but I feel the RCA should be better sounding because they should be single end.

It should be no difference in sound since the design of the WA5 is single ended not balanced. My bet is that the XLR inputs are just for convenience and not impacting performance.

 

[Designer Tiger]

It should be no difference in sound since the design of the WA5 is single ended not balanced. My bet is that the XLR inputs are just for convenience and not impacting performance.

You're absolute correct, the XLR is just for convenience. I just heard someone else said the sounds are different, the RCA is better.

 

[SteveHulk]

Did you compare the sounds between XLR and RCA on WA5?

I am using XLR balanced cable on my wa234, but I feel the RCA should be better sounding because they should be single end.

I don't have any XLR cables.

 

[musicman59]

You're absolute correct, the XLR is just for convenience. I just heard someone else said the sounds are different, the RCA is better.

I bet is just perception or what one want to hear.

 

[pippen99]

It could be the RCA output of your DAC is inferior to the XLR output. My DAC manufacturer explicitly states that the RCA output is the lesser in quality.

 

[Designer Tiger]

It could be the RCA output of your DAC is inferior to the XLR output. My DAC manufacturer explicitly states that the RCA output is the lesser in quality.

OK, that make sense.

 

[musicman59]

It could be the RCA output of your DAC is inferior to the XLR output. My DAC manufacturer explicitly states that the RCA output is the lesser in quality.

Yes, that could be. Mine has a difference in voltage output but not quality.

 

[jonathan c]

Yes, that could be. Mine has a difference in voltage output but not quality.

I think that DAC voltage out via XLR is usually 2x voltage out via RCA.

 

[musicman59]

I think that DAC voltage out via XLR is usually 2x voltage out via RCA.

In most cases you are correct because the negative is the same collage as the positive but with inverse polarity. In my case the XLR outputs have a potentiometer where I can adjust the output voltage.

 

[OldSkool]

@James824

Happy for you! Yes, the WA2 and HD800 is a perfect match that only gets better as you upgrade the tubes.

My rig sounds best with bourbon, as well.

Cheers, JC

 

[jonathan c]

Here’s hoping: