Woo Audio Amp Owner Unite

[mikemalter]

 
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I think I have found my perfect tubes combo for LCD-2, I'm loving it now and been using same combo for couple weeks. TS 7236, TS 6F8G, and Mullard GZ37.

JC, I'll have to give this combo a try.  I want to put another 200 hours on Glenn's mods.  The sonics on the caps are shifting around as I put hours on them.
 
 

 

[Silent One]

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well i guess ill just try both of them out, gonna leave the amp burning is as it sounds a little too bright and sounds like it could do with some opening up.
 
either way, i am extremely impressed by it already. 
 
the biggest thing i can notice over my old amp is depth....theres just so much depth, imaging, and dynamics with this amp.
 
also the build quality is amazing, feels like it will last forever...built like a tank and very elegant.
 
anyways heres the pic
 

The Woo Nation salutes Dubstep Girl; Draygonn; JoeyO. You all made quite the Friday splash!
 
@ Dubstep Girl - In all your excitement, try not to exceed 8 consecutive hours of operation (running your WA 6 Special Edition). Try not to "Cycle" your amp by turning it on/off before your amp has had a chance to cool (30 - 60 minutes, perhaps)
 
All three of your amps (Dubstep Girl, Draygonn & JoeyO) are beautiful, by the way...

 

[Silent One]

 
Friday Night Splash cont'd...
 
I too, had quite the Friday night inside the listening room! First came the confirmation from 2359glenn that my '596' has been fitted & kitted! Playtime comes Tuesday - can't wait! Secondly, earlier in the week, one of my computers gave-it-up! It was eerie and ghost like. Though tragic because I got lazy and hadn't backed it up, I'm relieved to say it was my Secondary music server not my Primary server, which the Woo benefits from (whew!).
 
Ahhhh, but out of disaster comes opportunity. Ran out and bought another computer. And after getting it dialed-in, I thought a test was in order, so I played a DVD that gave my previous computer fits. Some months ago my audio dealer, Robert of Aphrodite Cu29, sent me 38GB's of perfectly ripped WAV files - a little bit of everything. Finally, the new discs play without a glitch. And I'm sitting here grinning as I realize just how much new music I'm about to import into the library. 

 
As I was busy building and tweaking my system, he feared I might get burned out on my music library and made a move to expand it. Really, it's not enough to say that Robert is an excellent Audio Consultant. Like many of us, he is also a lover of gear and music. Sending me a surprise gift like that is truly amazing - thinking of me, the customer, long after the sale!
 
So, to Robert (Aphrodite Cu29) and many more hard working independent audio dealers like you, cheers!

 
 

 

[Dubstep Girl]

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The Woo Nation salutes Dubstep Girl; Draygonn; JoeyO. You all made quite the Friday splash!
 
@ Dubstep Girl - In all your excitement, try not to exceed 8 consecutive hours of operation (running your WA 6 Special Edition). Try not to "Cycle" your amp by turning it on/off before your amp has had a chance to cool (30 - 60 minutes, perhaps)
 
All three of your amps are beautiful, by the way...

thanks for the advice, i didn't know u can't cycle lol, good thing i just got it, i'll be careful
 
happy to be officially part of the Woo Audio owner's club 

 
 
can't wait to get my SR325is back. right now i just can't get enough of the K701 + WA6SE combo, my hd 650s are great with the amp but  sound a little too warm on some songs with the amp. the k701s on the other hand are a match made in heaven with the wa6se, just the perfect balance of dynamics, soundstage, detail, and energy Both headphones overall tho sound amazing on this amp tho. the bass on the k701's is superb too, it really comes out and the WA6SE shows what the k701 truly is capable of doing, its on a whole nother level when properly amped.

 

[Silent One]

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thanks for the advice, i didn't know u can't cycle lol, good thing i just got it, i'll be careful
 
happy to be officially part of the Woo Audio owner's club 

 
 
can't wait to get my SR325is back. right now i just can't get enough of the K701 + WA6SE combo, my hd 650s are great with the amp but  sound a little too warm on some songs with the amp. the k701s on the other hand are a match made in heaven with the wa6se, just the perfect balance of dynamics, soundstage, detail, and energy Both headphones overall tho sound amazing on this amp tho. the bass on the k701's is superb too, it really comes out and the WA6SE shows what the k701 truly is capable of doing, its on a whole nother level when properly amped.

Yeah it is - the WA6SE is really a dynamic and fun amp!

 

[Silent One]

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Enjoy, JoeyO

 
 

Hope all has been well in your days and nights. I see you brought another soul along to join us. What's your next move?

 

[grokit]

 
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^^^ I have similar finding with EMLs as you but for some reason I don't like the princess at all. If you have a chance, give Mullard metal base GZ34 and GZ37 a try. I found those tube are extremely nice with Woo, the GZ34 is great match with HD800 while GZ37 with LCD-2.

Have you ever tried the Shuguang Treasure drivers? That is how I prefer the Princess, or actually the other way around it took the Princess for me to first appreciate the Shuggies.
 

 

[jc9394]

Yes, I still have the Trasures and understand why you like 274B with Treasures more the 5U4G. They are a match pairs, goes very well with each others but I prefer the EML 274B over the princess.

 

[dannie01]

 
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Yes, I still have the Trasures and understand why you like 274B with Treasures more the 5U4G. They are a match pairs, goes very well with each others but I prefer the EML 274B over the princess.

John, how's the comparison/ranking between those rectifiers you owned?  
 
 

 

[JoeyO.]

Thank you for the warm welcome, folks!  Now onto my next adventure.. DAC upgrade or headphone out from my 2011 iMac?  I know this may seem blasphemous but I'm genuinely curious if it would make a huge difference.  My dilemma right now is that my current DAC, an M-Audio FireWire Solo, is quite the noisy little bugger and I'd like to take it out of the equation.  However, running from the headphone jack to my WA6 it is supremely quiet.  I was looking into getting a HeadRoom Micro DAC for a good price, but now I'm wondering if it'll improve things I as much as I hope. 

 
Sorry, I'm just sort of a skeptic about these things when the wallet's on the line, haha!  Thanks for any input ahead of time.

 

[Sesam]

Any opinions on how Shuguang Treasures compare sonically to Electro Harmonix Gold 6SN7 and Sophia/TJ Full Music 6SN7?. I have been using the Treasures since I bought the Amp, but I'm curious about other driver tubes
 
 
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Thank you for the warm welcome, folks!  Now onto my next adventure.. DAC upgrade or headphone out from my 2011 iMac?  I know this may seem blasphemous but I'm genuinely curious if it would make a huge difference.  My dilemma right now is that my current DAC, an M-Audio FireWire Solo, is quite the noisy little bugger and I'd like to take it out of the equation.  However, running from the headphone jack to my WA6 it is supremely quiet.  I was looking into getting a HeadRoom Micro DAC for a good price, but now I'm wondering if it'll improve things I as much as I hope. 

 
Sorry, I'm just sort of a skeptic about these things when the wallet's on the line, haha!  Thanks for any input ahead of time.

Well a good DAC is essential, I consider the Cambridge Audio DacMagic one of the best purchases I have made. But I can't really give you much advice as I have never heard the M-Audio Firewire Solo, but I'm surprised to hear it's noisy that's not a sign of a good DAC 

 

[JoeyO.]

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Well a good DAC is essential, I consider the Cambridge Audio DacMagic one of the best purchases I have made. But I can't really give you much advice as I have never heard the M-Audio Firewire Solo, but I'm surprised to hear it's noisy that's not a sign of a good DAC 

Haha, tell me about it!  I think the upgrade from a LD MKIII to the WA6 really brought out the flaw of the M-Audio, so obviously now, I'm considering cleaning up that signal!  The DACMagic seems like one helluva device but it's a bit out of my price range at the moment.  I may bite the bullet and purchase the used HR MicroDAC in the FS forum.  I'm hoping it'd be the right call. 

 

[Silent One]

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Haha, tell me about it!  I think the upgrade from a LD MKIII to the WA6 really brought out the flaw of the M-Audio, so obviously now, I'm considering cleaning up that signal!  The DACMagic seems like one helluva device but it's a bit out of my price range at the moment.  I may bite the bullet and purchase the used HR MicroDAC in the FS forum.  I'm hoping it'd be the right call. 

Greetings JoeyO!
 
Analogue Out can serve in a pinch. It is actually better coming out of the Mac than some may suspect. But, I also liken this short-term fix to the spare doughnut inside the trunk of many cars - it'll get you down the street alright. But keep it under 50 mph, drive no further than 35 miles and replace as soon as possible (highly recommended). A good DAC can take your WA6 based system places.  

 

[MacedonianHero]

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Any opinions on how Shuguang Treasures compare sonically to Electro Harmonix Gold 6SN7 and Sophia/TJ Full Music 6SN7?. I have been using the Treasures since I bought the Amp, but I'm curious about other driver tubes
 

I've got the Treasures and the EH Gold 6SN7s....no comparison IMO. The Treasures are my favourite driver tubes that I currently own (even more so than my Sylvania 5692s). I do have a pair of VT-231 RCA (Smoked Glass) coming in next week...I'll report back when they arrive.
 

 

[dannie01]

For those who have problems or concern about the EML 5U4G tubes with your Woo's amp (especially WA5or WA5LE), as I've stated weeks ago about the blew of the EML 5U4G with my WA5LE, the amp was being dumb sunndenly during my listening session. Then I wrote an email to Jac of JacMusic to report the case and ask for assistance. He is kind enough to help with my problem and said he will contact Jack Wu to see what they can do or further re-solve the problem. Weeks past, got a detail and very informative replied when I asked Jac again last night and he has a suggestion to add a resistor in the series in the circuit for the exceeding value of cap were used. Jac wants me to post his reply here to seek more information and discussion.
 
 
Hello Danny,
 
I was in contact about this with Jack Wu, also by phone. I have asked a few times for the schematic, but I don't have it (yet). From the pictures on the forum there are few things that draw my attention. However, without schematic it is hard for me.
 
1) It seems to me the first capacitor is 220uF. The maximum value for one tube is 33uF. And that value is really a limit. Even so, design right at the limit is not recommended, unless you are 100% sure you need no reserve for small issues.
 
With two tubes in parallel, we have 66uF. Still that is exceeded by a multiple here.
 
2) The 2nd and 3rd capacitor have also values of 220uF. So a total of 660uF. There are two chokes are in between, which protects the rectifier from too high ripple current at normal operation, but the chokes do not protect from surge current at start up. One way or another these caps are empty at switch on, and have to be charged. Exceeding the 66uF, can be done, but then you MUST have an additional series resistor or any other protective circuit. I pasted one in the drawing, it is originally not there.
 
3) The filaments of the 5U4G are in series, which is by definition not possible for tubes that are not made for it. Let me explain why that is so for all parallel intended tubes. So not just for 5U4G from EML. You also can not do this with 6C33 or EL34, or 12AU7, any other voltage specified tube. Though people do it, it can cause problems. With 6C33 even damaged tube sockets, but that is off topic here.
 
What happens with the 5U4G? Suppose, at 5Volt, one tube draws 5% more heater current than average , and the other -5% less. Such tubes are normal, good rectifiers. In series operation however you force both heaters at the same current. This can cause a much larger difference in voltage as one might expect. Reason is, the heater which is forced at higher current, will have higher temperature, and from this results higher wire resistance. Resistance goes up much more than 5%! Now comes the issue: The higher resistance will unevenly distribute the 10 Volts. This tube will develop more than 5Volts now, and filament temperature rises even further. The OTHER tube moves into the other direction. The effect can avalanche. So what the one tube does, makes things worse for the other. Quite unexpected voltage differences can occur, exceed the 5% by far. This is so for all tubes, new or NOS, and 5U4G is no exception.
 
3.1) Most specially you get problems when serializing tubes from different vendors, or production codes, since the heat up behavior is often different. A cold tube has up to 10x lower resistance. Before it is at normal value, 15...30 second may pass. During that time distribution of the 10V into 5V and 5V, is definitely not be the case.
 
4) The sketch I add to this mail is by Jack Wu, the markings are by me. I see there the transformer is 110V. This is correct for many countries, but some have 115V or 120V. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mains_power_around_the_world 120V or 110V is 9% more, which by itself exceeds the tolerance of most tube heaters. (max 5%). So I assume 120V and 110V versions are shipped.
 
So what to do now?
 
This is very hard to say for me without schematic.
 
At point 3) I recommend to add the blue wire, as in the attached schematic. This is needed to begin with, and can be done quickly. For 1) and 2) I need the schematic.
 
I would encourage you to put this information on the forum, and I hope it will spark a useful discussion (and a circuit diagram). Please do not paste my email address to prevent spam, but the website address is fine.
 
Best regards,
Jac
 
 
Click to enlarge