Woo Audio Amp Owner Unite

[malky]

Quote:

Also does your phono pre amp add CD player Cassette decks all  have a balanced output as the WA22 has to have a balanced input because it has no phase inverter.

No I have no balanced outputs on any of my kit.
Malky

 

[Solude]

In the simplest terms single ended is musical, push pull more controlling.  Not always that simple though.  For instance, the FirstWatt J2 is single ended but controlling and the M2 is push pull but musical.  In that case its MOSFET v JFET entering into the equation as well.

 

[john57]

I think it is a matter of implementation of any design in determining the SQ that you will have at the outputs. I liike the Woo amp WA5-LE the best in the company lineup but if I was getting a Stax headphone setup or the HiFiMAN HE6  the WA5 may be better.  

 

[2359glenn]

Quote:

No I have no balanced outputs on any of my kit.
Malky

Then the WA22 is not a option

 

[grokit]

To be fair, the WA22 does have a set of RCA inputs. You only get to use half the amp's power that way but they're there and the quality is good.

Having said that, I had my RCA inputs changed out to a second set of XLR's. More restrictive, but no compromises.

 

[2359glenn]

Quote:

To be fair, the WA22 does have a set of RCA inputs. You only get to use half the amp's power that way but they're there and the quality is good.
Having said that, I had my RCA inputs changed out to a second set of XLR's. More restrictive, but no compromises.

Yes but feeding 1/2 of a push pull amp has a distorted output but it does sound OK though

 

[San Raal]

Quote:

I am in the process of selling off my amps and speakers from a high end system and spending the proceeds on hopefully a very high end headphone system. The reason for this is due to my changed circumstances and moving to a much smaller dwelling, that will not house my present system(without going into too much detail).
I will therefore be in a position to afford either Woo WA5 LE or WA22, with many of the upgrades Woo suggests.
I already have Senns HD 800 and HD 650 and may try others in future such as Grado GS 1000. I am running a Mapletree HD Super Plus II at the moment.
It has taken many years to build up my system to what it is today, and so I feel that the purchase of the best from my sales is justified as no extra money will have to be spent.
So I am looking for any views and advice on the above, would the WA5 pay dividends over the WA22.
My front end is vinyl ..Inspire Eclipse with SME M 12 R Audio Technica 33EV cartridge, also Musical Fidelity Nu Vista CD player, I also use Nakamichi CR7 and RX 505 Cassette decks as I believe in keeping analog in its pure form, and using CD for new modern material.
I live in Manchester England, we dont have meets to try amps etc. over here so some degree of chance has to be taken, also very limited in Headphone Amp manufacturers.
Malky

 
Hi,
 
I live in England too so I had the same dilema when short-listing a suitable headphone rig. I went on advice and reviews here on headfi and elsewhere on the web and decided on a Woo WA5. I had Grado PS1000 at the time and have since expanded my collection based on reviews here and some demonstrations in the UK.
 
I know Aylesbury must be a fair way for you, but Peter at Deco audio is starting to branch out into Headphones, he maybe able to help you listen to some different models. At the end of October he had a "Headonism" event where he was showing off loads of cans from Audio Technica, Senn, Grado, Stax, HiFi man and more as well as headphone amps such as Edwards Audio, Stax, Rega. No Woo though alas. They are also Vinyl experts so will be well placed to help you get good synergy with your current rig.
 
I have a Woo WA5 and a Vinyl front end and I've been very happy with my purchase. I bought the amp as it can drive K1000 and those ear speakers sound SO good to my ears. It also works well with Grado PS1000 and Senn HD800. With the right tube stock you can roll in anything to suit balancing your cans and front end. The WA5 is reasonably priced for a 300B amplifier though if you are downsizing its size may not be ideal, there is an individual PSU and both chassis are on the large size. This amp is overkill for headphones But that's a good thing right?
 
*edit* I also have a Mapletree headphone amp (an HD150) To my ears it never clicked with the HD800 , but slap a pair of Grado's on it and await musical nirvana! ymmv of course!

 

[Pudu]

Hey all,

I'm in the market for a new DAC and looking for something that will compliment the Woo2. So far I'm looking at Burson's DA-160 and Shiit's Gungnir. They both have optical in and two single ended outputs which is what I'm after. I know it's still early days for the Gungnir, but I was wondering if any fellow woosters have any comments or advice on either of these, for this purpose.

The second set of RCA's will be feeding an older vintage receiver, if that matters at all.

Cheers

 

[ardilla]

What phones are you using?

 

[Pudu]

T1 , D7000, and W3000ANV (silliest model #).

 

[Silent One]

I last saw him hangin' out at the record store with a: T-1; W3000annv; D7000. 

 Not sure what music he was flipping through...or if he had more cans in the trunk of his ride.

 

[Silent One]

Pudu, you beat my post by seconds! 

 Or so it seemed when I reached for the keyboard.

 

[Pudu]

LOL

You been stalking me?

 

[Silent One]

Who doesn't like bumping into a buddy at an audio store or record shop? 

 

[Pudu]

I'd love it!

But if you were coming all the way across two ponds, you should have given me a little advance notice so I could warm up the tubes and cool down the gin.