[bach]

I've had the WA5-LE for about 6 weeks. First the difference between the LE and the WA5. This amp is only for headphones, no speakers and no AKG 1000! The money I saved by doing this I put into upgraded parts. These are the parts upgrade:

V-cap 0.15/600V
Jensen 220u/450V
BG vk 150u/350V
BG std 220u/16V
BG std 470u/160V
Mills-mrc50 750ohms/50W
Mills-mra12 22k/12W
Mills-mra5 7.5k/5W
Mills-mra5 15k/5W
Mills-mra12 62k/12W
Audio Note tantalum 330/1W
Audio Note tantalum 330k/0.5W
Jensen 100u/500V

Here are some pics.

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/attach...1&d=1198236642
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/attachment.php?
attachmentid=635&stc=1&d=1198236642
http://www.head-fi.org/forums/attach...1&d=1198236642

The Unit has two headphone outputs, one High the other Low.

The other headphone amps I've used for years are the Headroom Blockhead with the latest modules, the Weatfield HA-2 and the Channel Audio VHP-2 with VAC-1 power supply. Headphones are AKG 701 with Moon cable, DT 880, Senn 600 and 650 with ZU and Equinox cables.

Tubes on hand:
300b
Shuguang
Sophia Electric Princess
WE on order

6SN7
Sylvania VT 231
RCA VT 231
Ken Rad VT 231
RCA 5692
EH gold cryoset
GE GTA

5U4G
Sylvania (1950)
EH cryoset

5AR4
Amperex Bugle Boy
JJ cryoset

The amp sounded very good at the start, but has aged well. As parts and tubes have burned in the amp has changed a great deal. I've never heard these headphones sound better! This amp has so much ease and " you are there" factor.

The amp does change with different tubes a great deal. At this moment I'm using the Sophia, Sylvania 231 and the Sylvania 5U4G. You can be sure I'll change soon!
I'm looking forward to the WE 300B.

A word about the WE 300B. Do not buy a pair without serial numbers engraved on the base of the tube!!!!!!!!!
If you do you are getting a second or a cheap copy!

I'm going to try some tube dampers soon, but first some breakfast and music.

 

[GAD]

Nice! I love the looks of this amp.

GAD

 

[jamato8]

Interesting, the parts are all something I am familiar with, trust and would agree that with everything else being equal, would give a component the best possibility to shine.

Nice amp! I look forward to more of your impressions.

 

[krmathis]

Really nice looking amplifier. Enjoy!

...and welcome to Head-Fi!

 

[mikeymad]

Good Job Bach, and welcome to the forum.

Man, that must have been one of the first LE's made if it was 6 weeks ago. They just changed their site about three weeks ago.

I can't wait until my regular WA5 (with some upgrades) shows up today (along with WE 300B's, and a pair of K1000's). I really like the LE version (and it should sound better than the regular edition), but I like the flexability to run the K1000's and push a pair of speakers if I like.

I will be pushing a pair of AT L3000's. My WA6 may not last too much longer in my system.

Cheers,

 

[jp11801]

wow great amp congrats I had not previously heard of this variation on Jack's 300b. Nice job!! Please give us your thoughts once you've had some time with it.

 

[takezo]

very nice acquisition...i'm thinking of selling my wa-6maxed and
mpx3 slam se and getting the wa-5le maxed...just not sure if
my wife may blow a fuse...LOL

if you don't mind, how much did the upgrades cost you?
please post your impressions when you feel the amp has
stabilized in sound signature. you may want to try a pair
of mullard gz30 for rectification...it provides the most neutral
and transparent SQ of all the gz family of tubes in my maxed
wa-6...

best,

 

[blem]

Very nice... I should be getting my WA5 tomorrow or monday.

P.S. Where did you get the WE 300B ?

 

[vcoheda]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeymad /img/forum/go_quote.gif I really like the LE version (and it should sound better than the regular edition), ...

why is that?

 

[milkpowder]

I have no idea, but this is what I read:
Quote:

Originally Posted by fkclo /img/forum/go_quote.gif An advantage of the LE is that Jack can have output transformers tuned specifically for dynamic cans, as there are no speaker out to consider. I think Jack can even have output transformers dedicated to high and low impedance cans - and offer a no compromise design ?

 

[jamato8]

That is the only way to really do it right with output transformers.

That is a nice line up of tubes. The WE's should be a very good addition. Are they NOS or new WE's?

 

[bach]

I ordered the 300B's from Galen Carol Audio, Galen Carol Audio Homepage.
WE closed down for maintenance and will close down from Xmas to new years.

 

[bach]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jamato8 /img/forum/go_quote.gif That is the only way to really do it right with output transformers. That is a nice line up of tubes. The WE's should be a very good addition. Are they NOS or new WE's?

The WE's will be new.

 

[bach]

Quote:

Originally Posted by takezo /img/forum/go_quote.gif very nice acquisition...i'm thinking of selling my wa-6maxed and mpx3 slam se and getting the wa-5le maxed...just not sure if my wife may blow a fuse...LOL if you don't mind, how much did the upgrades cost you? please post your impressions when you feel the amp has stabilized in sound signature. you may want to try a pair of mullard gz30 for rectification...it provides the most neutral and transparent SQ of all the gz family of tubes in my maxed wa-6... best,

These are the upgrades:
Here is the parts listed in sequence of their priority. I'd recommend to do
1 group or all but not individually. Also, the caps are over-sized which
require a major wiring change; it'd be much easy to do it from scratch.

1. $150
V-cap 0.15/600V

2. $500
Jensen 220u/450V
BG vk 150u/350V
BG std 220u/16V
BG std 470u/160V

3. $100
Mills-mrc50 750ohms/50W
Mills-mra12 22k/12W
Mills-mra5 7.5k/5W
Mills-mra5 15k/5W
Mills-mra12 62k/12W
Audio Note tantalum 330/1W
Audio Note tantalum 330k/0.5W

4. $200
Jensen 100u/500V

 

[bach]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lee Brindley /img/forum/go_quote.gif Hi These upgrades - did Jack offer these to you by as in this is the max he could do - or was it part of a bigger menu? On the Woo web site there are no upgrades listed for the WA5 - so you dont know how big a list of potentials there is ! Regards Lee

The upgrades were the max he could do. If you have questions about them email Jack.
I love my WA5 LE!!!!!!