Woo Audio WA22 Amp Owner Unite
Mar 24, 2022 at 10:34 PM Post #1,606 of 2,633
Is it safe for me to leave my WA22 running with headphones only plugged in. No xlr or rca. I need to know because I like to listen to just my solid state alone sometimes too. I am using my dx300 as dac with 4.4mm to dual xlr to the WA22 or Soloist GT.I have to unplug when I want to listen to the WA22 or the Soloist GT alone. I just need to know if it is safe .
I try to leave my WA22 on only six hours at a time if I’m at home. But the SQ gets better when the tubes are warmed up.
 
Mar 25, 2022 at 1:36 AM Post #1,607 of 2,633
Is it safe for me to leave my WA22 running with headphones only plugged in. No xlr or rca. I need to know because I like to listen to just my solid state alone sometimes too. I am using my dx300 as dac with 4.4mm to dual xlr to the WA22 or Soloist GT.I have to unplug when I want to listen to the WA22 or the Soloist GT alone. I just need to know if it is safe .
I have found myself wondering the same thing.
When I like to test different XLR cables, I usually power the amp off between cable swaps.
I feel like this may be overkill with the XLR, as you "should" be able to plug/unplug without issue. (with source paused and volume cut)
RCA cables in my experience, do NOT like to be plugged/unplugged while powered on (often makes an audible pop and subsequent hum when the tip is inserted until the ring makes contact)
It would certainly make my XLR input cable testing MUCH faster if I knew it was safe to hot-swap (with source paused and volume cut)
 
Mar 25, 2022 at 1:11 PM Post #1,608 of 2,633
I have found myself wondering the same thing.
When I like to test different XLR cables, I usually power the amp off between cable swaps.
I feel like this may be overkill with the XLR, as you "should" be able to plug/unplug without issue. (with source paused and volume cut)
RCA cables in my experience, do NOT like to be plugged/unplugged while powered on (often makes an audible pop and subsequent hum when the tip is inserted until the ring makes contact)
It would certainly make my XLR input cable testing MUCH faster if I knew it was safe to hot-swap (with source paused and volume cut)
So I called Woo Audio and they said that when disconnecting the xlr I should disconnect my headphones first and then the xlr. He said it could cause a pop in your headphones which could blow a driver. You don't have to power down. Afterwards plug headphones back in if the wa22 will continue to run. So you can leave wa22 running as long as headphones are plugged in so the load has somewhere to go.
 
Mar 25, 2022 at 2:30 PM Post #1,609 of 2,633
My first WA6-SE blew a capacitor while I had headphones plugged in. Even though the volume was all the way down, there was a very loud POP that came through my headphones.
Since then, I’ve found these “burn in tool” from Xduoo.
Basically a 16ohm load at all times.
When I power on with new tubes etc, I use the burn in tool without having to worry about possible driver issues if something goes sideways on power up.

https://xduoo.net/product/burn-in-tool/
 
Mar 29, 2022 at 3:51 PM Post #1,610 of 2,633
Has anyone compared single ended to balanced headphone output? I'm just curious about your findings.
 
Mar 29, 2022 at 7:44 PM Post #1,611 of 2,633
Has anyone compared single ended to balanced headphone output? I'm just curious about your findings.
@9bphillips, to my ears the balanced hp output sounds much better than the single ended.
 
Mar 30, 2022 at 1:41 AM Post #1,612 of 2,633
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Mar 30, 2022 at 11:00 AM Post #1,613 of 2,633
I agree with @bpcans. There seems to be a wider and deeper soundstage. More natural and musical.
I did about a 5 minute comparison but I have to agree with the wider and deeper soundstage.
 
Mar 30, 2022 at 11:49 AM Post #1,614 of 2,633
For those that have a 596 rectifier, what adapter are you using? The ones from Woo Audio are expensive but are they worth it? This is the one rectifier I haven't tried and I'd like to get one.
 
Mar 30, 2022 at 12:17 PM Post #1,615 of 2,633
For those that have a 596 rectifier, what adapter are you using? The ones from Woo Audio are expensive but are they worth it? This is the one rectifier I haven't tried and I'd like to get one.
I have the USAF 596 rectifier (goes back/forth from WA6/WA6SE with the Woo adapter. It is pricey but it is well made and has the look. I have no regrets on that purchase.
96A39427-CE73-4D6B-AEA4-14E28E3BAE0A.jpeg
 
Mar 30, 2022 at 2:02 PM Post #1,616 of 2,633
Also using the Woo Audio adapter with my USAF "Mighty" 596. I didn't buy a cheap amplifier, why would I buy a cheap component for it? Buy once, cry once.


20220120_195524.jpg
 
Mar 30, 2022 at 7:47 PM Post #1,617 of 2,633
For those that have a 596 rectifier, what adapter are you using? The ones from Woo Audio are expensive but are they worth it? This is the one rectifier I haven't tried and I'd like to get one.
I despise the look of the eBay cheap adapters.
The Woo Audio adapters are made of high quality materials and they look and feel accordingly. Their adapter should last the life of the amplifier.
I’m not sure the same could be said for the others.
I am very satisfied with the purchase. :)
363A76B1-DAA9-49CE-B200-E2BED665D3A5.jpeg
 
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Mar 30, 2022 at 9:43 PM Post #1,618 of 2,633
I actually just found some old 6922 -> 6SN7 adapters from when I had my WA2. And yes, they definitely well made, it seems worth it to get the tube and adapter combo directly from Woo Audio. Thanks for the opinions.
 
Apr 1, 2022 at 9:15 AM Post #1,620 of 2,633
Does anyone have experience with both McIntosh MHA200 and WA22? I expect sound would be different enough so that its complementary to keep both?




not a direct comparison, but the same guy. and it's a gen1 wa22, so impressions may not match current reality.
 

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