Woo Audio WA-8

[Loftprojection]

Hello everyone! I received my WA8 yesterday and have been auditioning it beside the TT2.
Quick question — there is some harshness in the treble. Does that go away as the tubes break in?

Also— this thing runs really hot! Like can't hold it for more than 10 seconds hot. But I feel that's normal. May get a fan to keep it cool

Mine has no harshness whatsoever in the treble, just nice and sweet sounds.

Yap, the WA8 is HOT, very hot, this is a desktop unit, you don't put it in your coat pockets for sure. I see no need for a fan though, this would make annoying sound for nothing, Woo has built ventilation slots so the tubes are ok and I'm sure they know what they are doing.

And for the squeaky static sounds @TotallyNotABsName is experiencing, it is most probably the tubes. I had the same kind of sounds and I just ordered a tube replacement kit from Woo.

 

[tjkohli]

Mine has no harshness whatsoever in the treble, just nice and sweet sounds.

How many hours did you put into your tubes? For me it's like 2 hours lol

 

[TotallyNotABsName]

Mine has no harshness whatsoever in the treble, just nice and sweet sounds.

Yap, the WA8 is HOT, very hot, this is a desktop unit, you don't put it in your coat pockets for sure. I see no need for a fan though, this would make annoying sound for nothing, Woo has built ventilation slots so the tubes are ok and I'm sure they know what they are doing.

And for the squeaky static sounds @TotallyNotABsName is experiencing, it is most probably the tubes. I had the same kind of sounds and I just ordered a tube replacement kit from Woo.

Turned out to be radio interference, just diy'd a faraday cage and it's all good!

 

[Loftprojection]

How many hours did you put into your tubes? For me it's like 2 hours lol

Ho, I did an initial burnin phase of around 100 hours. I have it for a few years now, I don’t know but I must have something between 500 to 1000 hours on it.

 

[antanast]

I currently have the Hugo2 as my portable dac/amp for my HD 800S. Thinking of putting the trigger on the WA 8. Is there anyone here who has listened to both and can share some input on whether there is significant difference between the two that would justify the investment?

 

[jmpsmash]

I currently have the Hugo2 as my portable dac/amp for my HD 800S. Thinking of putting the trigger on the WA 8. Is there anyone here who has listened to both and can share some input on whether there is significant difference between the two that would justify the investment?

I have (or actually, had) both. The Hugo2 is a better DAC than the WA8, the WA8 is a better amp than the Hugo2.

So the solution is to have both and hook up Hugo2 as DAC and WA8 as amp with the best cable you can afford.

 

[antanast]

I have (or actually, had) both. The Hugo2 is a better DAC than the WA8, the WA8 is a better amp than the Hugo2.

So the solution is to have both and hook up Hugo2 as DAC and WA8 as amp with the best cable you can afford.

Can you elaborate a bit on the “better” concept?

 

[Loftprojection]

I have WA8 and use it as an amp only, I use an iFi iDSD signature DAC to feed it which sounds way better then using the WA8 internal DAC. With IEMs I find that WA8 can sound as good as my desktop tube amp, a Unison Research SH. With my big cans the WA8 sounds good but not exceptional like with my IEMs. So I use the WA8, iDSD stack as my going to sleep kit or when I travel and want to bring great sound with me. I find WA8 as an amp is still today a terrific amp if you like the romantic sound produced by real tube amps which you will not get with an amp like WA7 and other SS amps.

 

[antanast]

its been some years wa8 was released. Still relevant and worth it? Are there any other alternatives at the same price range and with the same or maybe better tube sound quality?

 

[Loftprojection]

its been some years wa8 was released. Still relevant and worth it? Are there any other alternatives at the same price range and with the same or maybe better tube sound quality?

I don't think tube amps become irrelevant with age. Yes the DAC section of WA8 is certainly not the greatest but the amp section, to me at least, is still one of the best you can get in a transportable device. iBasso PB5 and Cayin C9ii get good reviews, but they are not real tube amps, I never heard them but I'd be surprised that they as good tube magic as the the WA8, however they probably sound better to people that are not searching for too much of the "tube magic"!

 

[antanast]

Has anyone compared this with the Wa2?

 

[nephilim32]

Hi WA 8 owners. I’ve got a question. Has anyone tried using a fairly new DAP model running off the WA 8 connected via USB from the WA8 to bypass the DAC section of your newer DAP model?
Reason I asked is that I’m hoping that the WA 8 USB connection will recognize a newer DAP model connected via USB because the WA 8 is close to 10 years old now.

For peoples reference. I use an Astell & Kern Kann Max DAP.

Thanks in advance, gents.

 

[Loftprojection]

Hi WA 8 owners. I’ve got a question. Has anyone tried using a fairly new DAP model running off the WA 8 connected via USB from the WA8 to bypass the DAC section of your newer DAP model?
Reason I asked is that I’m hoping that the WA 8 USB connection will recognize a newer DAP model connected via USB because the WA 8 is close to 10 years old now.

For peoples reference. I use an Astell & Kern Kann Max DAP.

Thanks in advance, gents.

It does recognize my iPhone via usband I don’t see why it wouldn’t an Android dap whatever the version. Although you might end up using your DAPs dac with line out instead of USB because the WA8 internal dac is ok but nothing special. The WA8 strong point is it incredible tube amp section.

 

[nephilim32]

It does recognize my iPhone via usband I don’t see why it wouldn’t an Android dap whatever the version. Although you might end up using your DAPs dac with line out instead of USB because the WA8 internal dac is ok but nothing special. The WA8 strong point is it incredible tube amp section.

Thank you. I’m thinking it wouldn’t be a problem either, but I thought it might be possible the USB interface/recognition could be dated.
For sure I understand the options of connections, but I’m hoping to try the USB DAC on the WA 8 with the efficiency and portability of a DAP rather than a laptop.
My preference is hard files on micro SD cards, so phones as a transport don’t have appeal to me.

 

[antanast]

Asked this on another forum:

Guys what is your approach on using EQ with the WA8? I always EQ my HD 800S when using other amps, as it takes the headphones to another level. Would it make sense to also EQ when playing from the WA8 (and in general tube amps)?

P.S. Using Roon EQ.