From Wadia to Woo

[Jonneville]

Now that my Wadia lust has cooled down with the incoming 861, my interest has returned to valves. Although some might say that I already have more than my fair share of tubes with my VTLs, I definitely need some more. I have decided to add a Woo Audio WA6 headphone amp (in black) with the Sophia Princess 274B rectifier upgrade. As for 'phones, I was thinking about the Sennheiser HD650 - has anyone tried the Senns?

Here's a few photos of the WA6...

http://wooaudio.com/images/fullsize/wa6-8.jpg

http://wooaudio.com/images/fullsize/wa6-9.jpg

http://wooaudio.com/images/fullsize/wa6-10.jpg

http://wooaudio.com/images/fullsize/wa6-11.jpg

..and the mesh plate 274B rectifier in all its glory...

http://wooaudio.com/images/fullsize/SophiaMesh274B-on-WA6.jpg

Regards

Jon'.

[Trumpton_Rioter]

If you do decide to go with the Senn 650's you will have the exact same headphone set up as me and I am very pleased with mine.

I dont claim to have the best hearing and dont go in for all this "the highs are higher, the mids are midder and the lows are lower" way of describing the sound.

All I would say is to try them first with the amp - I did this and bought my own set.

Personally, I don't get listening fategue when using this set up for long periods and the WA6 looks like a bastard when you are chillin' with all the lights are off and a cold beer in your hand :lol:

[Marco]

How much is the Woo, Jonathan, and how does it sound, to your ears, in comparison with similarly priced solid-state headphone amps (presuming that you have experience of using the latter)? :)

Marco.

[realysm42]

Wicked looking little amp.

[Jonneville]

How much is the Woo, Jonathan, and how does it sound, to your ears, in comparison with similarly priced solid-state headphone amps (presuming that you have experience of using the latter)? :)

Marco.

The WA6 is $650 plus $160 for the mesh plate 274B. Headphones are a totally new venture for me - I have the in-laws staying with us until the end of the year so I shall be seeking sanctuary in my music. I was looking for something that might sound similar to my VTL valves and Logans, hence the interest in this Woo tube amp. No chance to hear it so I was going to take a punt on it based on all the glowing (pardon the pun) reviews.

Incidentally, can I connect the headamp to the "Tape out" terminals of my preamp to enable me to use both my turntable and digital sources?

Regards

Jon'.

[User211]

Tape out to Woo should be fine.

I had a Woo WA3 which had line outs. Pretty good as a preamp in the main system.

I have TJ 274Bs in a preamp. They sound fast and a bit bright. Emission Labs 274Bs seem a league better overall so when you're feeling spendy suggest you try one.

[Jonneville]

Ignore please - double post.

[Jonneville]

No response from Woo, so a possible change of direction - seeing as how I adore valves and electrostatics I'm seriously considering a Stax 4170 set-up - anyone here have experience of their Ear Speakers?

https://www.staxusa.com/images/products/347.jpg

The solid state SPL Phonitor is another possibility, maybe with some HD650s or Grado PS500s?

http://d1xw7fnq30zy05.cloudfront.net/uploads/image/image/885507/scaled_RIMG0003.JPG

Regards

Jon'.

[loo]

Hi as a fellow lover of valves and electrostatic speakers I can thoroughly recommend the Stax 4170 set up , I use one and find it a good enjoyable set up that does not leave me wanting to switch on the speakers . The sound has that electrostatic familiarity that I could not be without:)