Well, I've spent quite a bit of time the last two days a/b ing different songs on the Raptor and the WA6. So here goes my first review. I'm still very new to the whole audiophile thing, so I am not going to be able to get too detailed, but hopefully my points will get across.
First and foremost, Ray and Jack have both been great to deal with. Both made it very easy to get amps to demo, and they have been very responsive in answering my questions.
My source is an NAD C542. I used both my HD 650's and DT 880's. I am not going to name all of the different songs and artists I listened to. What I will say is it was quite a few 15-16, from multiple genres of music. My comparisons were done with the stock WA6 that Jack sent me. My comparisons will be of each amp in general. Now down to business.
Looks:
Only subject where I cover both amps together. I know this is all about that sound, but both of these amps are lookers. The are both rock solid in their build quality. I have always thought that RSA makes some of the prettiest amps, and I was not disappointed in person. The WA6 is an absolute tank. It looks great with that big coke bottle rectifier.
More importantly, sound:
The Raptor
Ray told me that the Raptor would deliver impactful, immediate music. If there is a word to describe the Raptor, it is impactful. Everything in the music hits full force. The mids and highs are right up front, in your face, and the bass, is tight, deep, and focused. It really has some slam to it. This is probably the most transparent amp I have heard. You hear everything on the recording. I am big fan of the Grateful Dead, and I own tons of their live recordings. Granted most are very good, when your dealing with old reel to reel recordings, there are bound to be some hiccups. The Raptor is so precise, you can hear every flaw in the recording. This is the first amp where I have really been able to dig in and hear some of the issues with the 7.5 ips master recordings. Mind you, these recordings have been meticulously mastered, but if there is something there, you will hear it with the Raptor. I am listening to Miles Davis, In a Silent Way right now, and everything is absolutely crystal clear. From Tony Williams brilliant cymbal work, ot John McLauglin's great guitar fills, etc. I think a lot of people put the Raptor down since it doesn't have that lush, warm tube sound. If that is what you want, than this is not for you. If you want an amp that brings all of the life out of your music and delivers it with a big punch to your cans, this is for you. I absolutely love this amp!
WA6
This amp is nearly the complete opposite of the Raptor. For those wanting that rich, lush, warm, sweet sound, this has it in spades. Don't get me wrong, there is plenty of detail there, but it is not in the same league as the Raptor when it comes to detail. I can imagine that an upgraded WA6 would be more in line with the Raptor in this area. What the WA6 does have is a wonderfully organic sound througout the entire spectrum. The bass doesn't slam like the Raptor, but it still extends nicely, can get deep, and just seems to cradle you in it's embrace. After listening to the WA6, I finally got what a nice, lush midrange sounds like. I am a big fan of the Hammond B3, which sits right in the heart of the mid-range when used as a rhythm instrument. Listening to Song from the Wind, from Santana's Caravanserai, wow, that organ just wraps itself around the other instruments. It sounds as sweet as good maple syrup tastes. I also loved listening to the Band's Acadian Driftwood. The Bands organic sound is right in this amps wheelhouse. There was still plenty of tranparency and detail in the highs, but with lots of that tube warmth, it doesn't punch you in the face like the Raptor does. For a stock model, it sounds incredible. I absolutely love this amp!
Unfortunatly dvb-projekt, I can't give you an outright recommendation. It really depends what you are after. If you want tremendous detail and transparency coming at you with "impact", go for the Raptor. If you want the more traditional, liquidy, warm, lush tube sound, but still with great detail, go with a WA6 (I would get it Maxxed). What I can tell you, is you cannot go wrong with either one, they are both great products, made by great vendors.
For me, I came in with a budget for 1 of the 2. I was going to keep my LD MKIII and the winner as my two tube amps. Now after listening to both, and loving both, too hell with the budget, I am buying both! My LD MKIII will be for sale shortly. Damn this hobby. Sorry about your wallet is an understatment.
Another big thanks to Jack and Ray for acutally giving me a chance to listen to the differences instead of just having to read about them.
