[raypin]

mmm.....just got word from the Singapore dealer: late April delivery (from mid-April) for the WA8. Is there a fast-forward button I can press right now????

 

[HiFiGuy528]

  U mean something like this (via Google):
http://www.fullcompass.com/prod/270611-iConnectivity-iConnect-Lightning-Cable
 
Or this (the standard adapter connected directly to the WA8's included usb cable):
http://www.apple.com/shop/product/MD821AM/A/lightning-to-usb-camera-adapter
 
From Woo's page:
The Eclipse also uses an audiophile-grade ESS SABRE Reference 24bit/384kHz DAC, excelling with hi-res music files and compatible with Apple iOS and Android devices.
 
Beyond that, no one yet has a WA8 to test.
 

 
These two adapters from Apple would work. *** important to buy them from Apple only. There are a TON of counterfeits on the web.
 
http://tinyurl.com/j8uuyhk
 

 
http://tinyurl.com/jh3jcrs
 

 
For USB cable, we recommend Nordost Blue Heaven or Heimdall2
 
http://www.nordost.com/usb-cables.php
 

 

[Koolpep]

These two adapters from Apple would work. *** important to buy them from Apple only. There are a TON of counterfeits on the web.

Hi,

I am reviewing the WA8 for our local distributor at the moment.

One question: is it normal that when the WA8 switches off, it emits a loud POP into the headphones?

Other than that, this little baby sounds marvelous. Am a bit perplexed that it really drives IEMs as well as my planars with ease.... Review coming soon.

Cheers!

 

[audionewbi]

Can one argue that using the apple CCK will cause a bottleneck due to them using a lesser quality cable than nordost? Of course I am just saying what all cable believers thing, I frankly Am not too worried about such things. 

 

[theveterans]

 
Can one argue that using the apple CCK will cause a bottleneck due to them using a lesser quality cable than nordost? Of course I am just saying what all cable believers thing, I frankly Am not too worried about such things. 

IMO, you can counter the degrading effects of CCK by using a USB decrapifer and a USB to SPDIF converter. The decrapifier and the spdif converter will ensure that the real time jitter is as minimum as possible before it goes to the DAC

 

[raypin]

mmm......I am using AudioQuest JitterBug for laptop usb out................not really sure if it helps but it is a just-in-case thing for me.

 

[Koolpep]

My review is up:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/wooaudio-wa8-eclipse/reviews/15733

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Cheers!

 

[LouisArmstrong]

My review is up:

http://www.head-fi.org/products/wooaudio-wa8-eclipse/reviews/15733

Hope you enjoy reading it.

Cheers!

Pretty cool review dude. Thanks.

 

[HiFiGuy528]

new WA8 video.
 

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Hi,

I am reviewing the WA8 for our local distributor at the moment.

One question: is it normal that when the WA8 switches off, it emits a loud POP into the headphones?

Other than that, this little baby sounds marvelous. Am a bit perplexed that it really drives IEMs as well as my planars with ease.... Review coming soon.

Cheers!

 
It is a soft 'pop' when power cycling the amp. This will not cause harm the headphones or the amp. We recommend to disconnect the headphone if the soft 'pop' bothers you.
 
Important: when switching between 2 or 3 tube mode, turn OFF the amplifier first, this resets the output. Otherwise, you may encounter distortion in the sound.

 

[LouisArmstrong]

Isn't this thing a bit big for portable use?

 

[gr8soundz]

Hi,

I am reviewing the WA8 for our local distributor at the moment.

One question: is it normal that when the WA8 switches off, it emits a loud POP into the headphones?

Other than that, this little baby sounds marvelous. Am a bit perplexed that it really drives IEMs as well as my planars with ease.... Review coming soon.

Cheers!

   
It is a soft 'pop' when power cycling the amp. This will not cause harm the headphones or the amp. We recommend to disconnect the headphone if the soft 'pop' bothers you.
 
Important: when switching between 2 or 3 tube mode, turn OFF the amplifier first, this resets the output. Otherwise, you may encounter distortion in the sound.

 
So, when switching from 2 or 3 tubes, we'd first have to remove the headphones (to avoid the pop), turn off the WA8, hit the switch, turn the WA8 back on, then reconnect the headphones?
 

 

[Koolpep]

Isn't this thing a bit big for portable use?

Don't confuse portable with transportable. They never claim it to be portable but transportable and that it clearly is.

Portable use - it's 2 pounds (1.1 kg) - only for orks.

 

[Koolpep]

It is a soft 'pop' when power cycling the amp. This will not cause harm the headphones or the amp. We recommend to disconnect the headphone if the soft 'pop' bothers you.

Important: when switching between 2 or 3 tube mode, turn OFF the amplifier first, this resets the output. Otherwise, you may encounter distortion in the sound.

The switching off between tube modes was known to me. That the soft pop is by design - hmmm, ok. I am not saying it's headphone damaging but it definitively scared me when experiencing it.

If you are saying the pop won't cause any harm with headphones, I believe you. I will update my review with this information. I still think it's a major flaw for a device of that price range to do this. But again, if that is the price to pay to enjoy the a,along sound this thing produces. So be it,

Cheers.

 

[Koolpep]

So, when switching from 2 or 3 tubes, we'd first have to remove the headphones (to avoid the pop), turn off the WA8, hit the switch, turn the WA8 back on, then reconnect the headphones?

 

Yes. That's what I wrote in my review. That would be the process.

Since Woo Audio has acknowledged the pop is in all units but is not harmful to headphones and just a scary annoyance, I guess that's the flaw of an otherwise pretty much perfect product.

Anyhow. Once I get the WA8 in my hands again (Friday during a meet) I will record the volume of the pop.

I must say: it really took me by such a surprise that I was scared - the pop wasn't pleasant.

Anyhow, good to know its not harmful but the tube mode changing process is odd.