[Bonddam]

I looked around for a thread and didn't find one. I don't have much too say besides being very happy with it out of the box. Hopefully owners will chime in and give recommendations.

 

[mahesvara]

Welcome, fellow 33 owner. Post some pics

 

[Ciggavelli]

There's a page in the Amp section:
https://www.head-fi.org/threads/woos-new-flagship-wa33.843710/

Anyway, a bunch of us own WA33s here. It's a great amp. I love mine!

 

[Bonddam]

I'm hearing little details I wasn't getting on the Formula S or gsx mini. it's background sounds that are coming through so clearly. For example the hiss on a record I can hear. Soft sounds clear as day. I'm very surprised by this amp.

I'll post pics of my setup soon.

 

[Ciggavelli]

I'm hearing little details I wasn't getting on the Formula S or gsx mini. it's background sounds that are coming through so clearly. For example the hiss on a record I can hear. Soft sounds clear as day. I'm very surprised by this amp.

I'll post pics of my setup soon.

I highly recommend upgrading the tubes, if you haven't yet. It's like $4k extra, but really worth it.

Also, I have the standard edition. I'm really interested in trying the Elite Edition. Maybe after the Corona clears

 

[Bonddam]

I highly recommend upgrading the tubes, if you haven't yet. It's like $4k extra, but really worth it.

Also, I have the standard edition. I'm really interested in trying the Elite Edition. Maybe after the Corona clears

Is it 4k from Woo Audio or another distributor?

 

[Bonddam]

Welcome, fellow 33 owner. Post some pics

 

[Ciggavelli]

Is it 4k from Woo Audio or another distributor?

From Woo Audio

 

[F208Frank]

Spend time with stock and progress to upgrades, the journey is important too. That is my vote. I jumped straight to upgrades and sort of regret not enjoying the process.

 

[NewDevilman]

Hi,

No updates on this thread? I got WA33 Elite in April 2020 during COVID. Worth every penny for me. Yeah it’s freakin pricy but drives my cans to the full potential.
I use it with Chord Electronics DAVE+Blu MKII(Mscaler) as DAC. Aurender N20
The main headphones I use: Abyss AB1266 PHI TC, Audeze LCD4, Meze Elite, Focal Utopia, Kennerton Rognir

 

[Rickruss]

I’ve got the WA 33 purchased directly from Woo, with the upgraded tubes. My main headphones are Susvara’s and Utopia’s (both with Danacable Lazuli Nirvana). My set-up is worth every penny to me, especially given my musical tastes (primarily acoustic jazz, female jazz vocals, classical and some popular music).

 

[F208Frank]

I loved this amp when I owned it, used it with the abyss, as for the post above, sounds like a great system for the music you listen to!

 

[PierreHPfan]

Has anyone got any comparisons using the WA33 as a preamp to a decent 2 channel system? I would love to find a way to get a WA33 but also need a good tube preamp to drive my Passlab monos. Any insight would be great!
An obvious downside using the WA33 could be no remote, but I can use the DAVE remote and set the W~££ at 12 oclock.

 

[littlej0e]

Has anyone got any comparisons using the WA33 as a preamp to a decent 2 channel system? I would love to find a way to get a WA33 but also need a good tube preamp to drive my Passlab monos. Any insight would be great!
An obvious downside using the WA33 could be no remote, but I can use the DAVE remote and set the W~££ at 12 oclock.

I have and I wouldn't recommend purchasing a WA33 solely for use as a preamp as there are tons of better tube preamps that are designed around 2-channel (2C) systems. If you plan to use it primarily for headphones and occasionally dual-hat it as a preamp, that would make sense. The achilles heel of using the WA33 as a preamp is the low power output (relatively speaking) for 2C systems. This translates into very little usable gain and subsequent lack of control...even with the WA33 set to high gain.

In other words, if your 2C system already has plenty of power and you are only looking to add Woo sauce/flavor (and you are prepared to control volume manually with the WA33 or externally through software DSP with Roon/Foobar/HQPlayer or through your DAC), this should would work just fine. If not, I would look in another direction.

Lastly, if you do end up going this route for this use case, I would highly recommend going with the EE edition and pass on the JPS wiring. Your 2C system will thank you.

Edit - as @Ciggavelli said, the primary WA33 thread is here: https://www.head-fi.org/threads/woos-new-flagship-wa33.843710/

 

[PierreHPfan]

Great advice, thank you! It was a nice idea I had, but 2 channel is too important to compromise it