Does anyone know how the WA8 compares to the ALO CDM? I just bought a pair of ZMF VCs and am trying to find a good transportable tube amp to go with it.
Comparison of CDM, Wa8 and Hugo 2.
Compared on the MrSpeakers Ether C Flow, through the line outputs to the Shangri La Jr via Stax t8000.
CDM vs Hugo 2 as dacamps: CDM is a lot simplier in amount of details. And in the volume of the scene. And in transparency. But is better in terms of completeness and depth of tone on treble and smoothness of midrange. But this smoothness is bad, because it is achieved, in many respects, by a tangible drawdown in resolution. In general, I will definitely choose Hugo over CDM on basic tubes.
Wa8 vs CDM as tube amps for Hugo2. Basic tubes for CDM are crap, because this drawdown in resolution comes from them (although not completely, but mainly), basically. The amplifier at Wa8 is noticeably higher in resolution.
Wa8 vs CDM as dacamps: Wa8 is darker, groovier, more agressive, worse in positioning, has a higher resolution, more weight in tone. CDM is more natural. Wa8 lacks dynamics, compared to CDM at basic tubes.
However, I have to notice, that its quite easy to order and setup changeable tubes insted of basic ones on CDM, while its very hard to do the same for Wa8, and the socket for CDM tubes is more widespread, so the are ×100 more changeable tubes, that can suit CDM, compared to Wa8. I've heard CDM on a better tubes, than the basic ones (but still far from the best ones, as CDM owners say), and the difference is very noticeable. The drawdown in resolution was a lot lot smaller. And some tubes can significantly change the overall tone balance aswell.
But I have to admit, that I have done multiple comparisons of Wa8's amp vs solid tube amps, and Wa8 has a genuine tube amp. Its clear, transparent, almost doesnt ruin the speed of attacks, unlike almost all other tube amps do. And, at the same time, agressive, full-weighted and groovy as hell. There arent many other tube amps with such a great amount of agression and weight in tone. Even among solid ones. Metal and rock sound amazing on it.
As a dacamp, id prefer CDM over Wa8. As an amp - it depends on the dac that you have. If you have a light-weighted dac (such as Hugo 2) and want to bring in more emotions, agression and groovyness, Wa8 would suit perfectly. If you have a well-balancedly sounding dac (such as a Lotoo Paw Gold Touch) or a darkened one (such as Lotoo Paw Gold) and dont want to get a dark sound, u'd better take CDM.
Additionally, id recommend a combo of Hugo 2 as an amp with Wa8 as a dacamp. I'm using it by myself and I'm crazily happy with it. Emotional as hell, a lot of details, huge soundstage, good tone balance. However, it will fit mostly izodynamic headphones, and even not all of them. Some of them (Meze Empyrian, for example) may sound a bit weird on it. But the ones, that will be in a synergy with this source (Ether C Flow, for example) will sound insanely great. This combo outranges CDM literally in everything. The only thing that some1 might find better in CDM is the overall natural tone balance. H2+Wa8 is super juicy, emotional, groovy, agressive, full-weighted. CDM sounds more analogue-like.
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