Woo Audio WA22 vs Audio GD Phoenix

[Maxime Trepreau]

Hi there,
 
 
I'm a long time Head Fi reader and here is my first post.
At first I wish to thanks everyone for all the content they bring, it's an awesome place.
 
I got an HD 800 and I can't decide betwin the two amps :
 
- Woo Audio WA22
- Audio GD Phoenix
 
I know they are not the same, Tube vs SS. But I ask the question anyway.
 
Which one should I buy ?
 
On the speaker side of things, I'm a big fan of Accuphase A class amp and Kef Reference speakers.
 
Thanks for your help.

 

[MacedonianHero]

The WA22 with tricked out tubes is going to run you 2x the Phoenix...just an FYI.
 
That said, I've never heard the HD800s sound better fully balanced on a WA22 (with a good balanced source).

 

[hduong]

Just got a HD800 too and considering a balanced amp as well.  My source/DAC has balanced out.  Looking at the WA22 .  With amp and balance cables for the HD800, it could set me back $2500.  $1000 more then I want to spend.  Not sure if the type of music I listen to would greatly benefit from a upgraded amp.  Mostly Chinese pop, Top 40, some Jazz and classical piano.

 

[Maxime Trepreau]

So far, I change my mind every five minutes.

If you guys have other option... (as long as it's balanced).

 

[pyramid6]

Phoenix you can just turn on.  WA22 you can roll tubes.  Just sayin' 

 
Edit:  Also you need a balanced source for the WA22, or you are wasting a lot of the amp.  Not sure about the Phoenix.

 

[nigeljames]

Have you considered the Audio-gd Master-5?
 
Supposed to be better than the Phoenix and still runs cheaper than the W22.

 

[Maxime Trepreau]

I dunno the Master 5, I gonna have a look at it, thanks.
 
I got a balanced PS Audio DAC.
 
Do you guys know better SS amp than those two audio GD ? (for the HD800 I mean)

 

[cifani090]

Quote:

The WA22 with tricked out tubes is going to run you 2x the Phoenix...just an FYI.
 
That said, I've never heard the HD800s sound better fully balanced on a WA22 (with a good balanced source).

Not trying to put any pressure on you but i forgot that Red and Black tube amp that is on back order. The guy that designed it made many DIY headphone amp boards... I forgot what it's called, but the HD800's would also do good with that.
 

 

[audiorapture]

If you want something to really help both price and sound, have you considered a B-22?  Should be many around who can point you in the right direction and the amp sounds great with almost anything....IMHO

 

[dyl1dyl]

Below $2000, the balanced beta 22 is a fabulous choice imo. However, if you are keen to tube roll or just like the way tube amps sound in general, I would strongly suggest you consider the Littledot Mk6+. It is a superb amp and in my experience actually better than the wa22 (a stock maxed one btw) when used with Suguang CV-181zs. Even with the Shuguang's and a good pair of driver tubes, the Littledot only runs about 1.3-4k usd after shipping. The Littledot so far has been great with the LCD-2s, 3s, Beyer T1, HD-800 and He-500. The only time it wasn't very good was on the HE-6. In fact, I was rather surprised that it runs grados rather well too.

 

[Currawong]

I'm inclined to suggest tubes with the HD-800s for sure. That being said, I did use them with a Phoenix for quite a while and enjoyed them.

 

[Maxime Trepreau]

It's getting hard to decide

The b 22 will have to be build, do you know who can do that?

I'm not a tube guy, I'm looking at tube because it looks like it works great on HD800. So I'll need a very neutral tube amp.
Something like an Audio Research without the brightness in the highs.