[JLoud]

I did try the RCA input to compare. The XLR seemed to have better detail and separation. Of course my DAC is a balanced design so that could be a factor.

 

[Darkliner]

Sorry double post

 

[Darkliner]

Do you guys mostly use the XLR balanced input into the WA33 or via RCA's? Reason I ask is because I plan on using either the TT2 or DAVE as a DAC and Chord recommends using the RCA outputs. Wondering if anybody has experience in testing whether the WA33 sounds better on RCA inputs or XLR inputs.

I use RCA inputs into the WA33 with DAVE and MSCALER. WA33 sounds better on the RCA inputs from DAVE to my ears after i did the RCA vs XLR testing using the same grade of cables.

 

[Bonddam]

I’m using rca out of Cipher DAC and it sounds really good. I’ve ran balanced out of a TT2 and it was good as well

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Finally got myself a WA33, should be here in the next two weeks or so. What is everybodys favorite DAC to pair with the WA33?

Congratulations! Look forward to your pics and listening impressions.

FWIW, we are using dCS Bartok DAC. A great pairing. Alternatively, the Sony HAP-ZH1ES music server is an exceptional piece at a low price but it's not a DAC.

 

[Adamtl]

In the case of Dave/wa33 the conversion is best done in Dave and connected using xlr. That goes for and dac that has xlr as well. Only use rca if that’s the only output on your dac.

 

[ThanatosVI]

Congratulations! Look forward to your pics and listening impressions.

FWIW, we are using dCS Bartok DAC. A great pairing. Alternatively, the Sony HAP-ZH1ES music server is an exceptional piece at a low price but it's not a DAC.

dCS Bartok + Woo Wa33 that's quite something!

 

[HiFiGuy528]

Guess Who Ordered WA33 Elite Edition + JPS Wiring

KR 2a3 HP x4 + Takatsuki 274b + KR 274b set too


i will go into tube rolling for sure as well after i get all of these :3

Update: added JPS XLR and JPS Power Cords to the order too lol.

Nearly 15 years after I got my 2-channel system I upgraded to JPS power, XLR cables and speaker cables a month ago. Wow! the sound improvements were like I upgraded the entire system. What I was using was great but JPS is a few steps above in every way.

 

[Ciggavelli]

Do you guys mostly use the XLR balanced input into the WA33 or via RCA's? Reason I ask is because I plan on using either the TT2 or DAVE as a DAC and Chord recommends using the RCA outputs. Wondering if anybody has experience in testing whether the WA33 sounds better on RCA inputs or XLR inputs.

I use XLR from my DAVE to WA33. Somebody did a comparison somewhere on here (sorry, can’t remember exactly where), and the results seemed to say it sounds better out of the RCAs, but the difference was so minor, that it didn’t really matter. The WA33 is fully balanced, so I feel I want to preserve that by going XLR out of my DAVE

 

[jlbrach]

I dont believe the xlr out of the dave is actually fully balanced...it is a bit louder however...I think rob watts suggests the rca out is the better sounding option

 

[Ciggavelli]

I dont believe the xlr out of the dave is actually fully balanced...it is a bit louder however...I think rob watts suggests the rca out is the better sounding option

I looked it up and you’re right. Now I’m curious about rca cables

 

[Shini44]

btw how long can i have the WA33 working for? since its tube based. from what i recall WA7 2nd gen (the cube) can work for 8 hours straight, then have to be turned off for 5-10 minutes for tubes to cool off. then turn on again for while.

i don't know if the same applies for WA33 though. especially that warming it up with low volume music takes like 15-30 minutes.

 

[pippen99]

I hope Mike will weigh in on this as I would also like to know. I never listen for more than 2 hours at a time. I always turn the amp off when not listening. Still the thing is an absolute furnace. I have considered buying a digital thermometer to measure the temp of the amp. I wonder if Woo has ever measured the WA33 and would like to share?

 

[joseph69]

I usually have my WA33 turned on between 3-5hrs without issue.
5hr listening sessions are getting less and less, though.

 

[Darkliner]

I looked it up and you’re right. Now I’m curious about rca cables

Try high fidelity cables out, i use them in my system and they are fantastic! Especially if you have tubes in the system.