I heard a minor difference between the solid state and tube power supply. I did not think it was better or worse with my LCD-3. The difference in size on my desk was pretty clear. I could keep the solid state power supply on the ground which wasn't an option with the tube power supply. Your ears may vary. Maybe someone needs better equipment to form an opinion.
I sold off my WA7 last year because I thought I could get by on a hifi-m8 with a balanced connection. The only result was that I listened to my LCD-3 less and less. To me, the WA7 by itself represented the point of diminishing returns. By default, I think Woo Audio did an exceptional job pairing a excellent DAC and outstanding standard tubes for the amp.
I'm looking forward to pairing it with my LCD-X!
HiFiGuy528Yes. Selling it was a huge, huge mistake. I consider it a steal at the retail price. It is the perfect balance of sound, form, and function. It is also the only audio purchase that my wife never complained about.
I was willing to step down from a LCD-3 to the LCD-X to save a few dollars. I don't think there is a simple step down from the WA7. My current DACMini is definitely not it.
utdeepThanks for the reply. So it sounded great with your LCD-3? I have the LCD-X as well. Currently paired to Burson Conductor SL w 9018 DAC. I almost bought the WA7 instead-- have always loved the looks of the WA7 and this drops gives me the excuse to get a tube amp in addition to the Burson SS.
I am still on the fence about the tube power supply. It looks cool but takes up double the space. I am skeptical that the power supply itself will dramatically improve the sound. Perhaps a little different. But better? I ordered without. Added. And thinking of deleting it again. Second time around for you with the WA7. Are you going SS or tube for the power supply this time?
utdeepThank you for the honest opinion - wish there're more like yours around. The audio360 article just simply reads absurd / untrustworthy to me - the article and the "conversation" was designed to pump up as much hype as possible, filled with subjectivity, without mentioning proper pros and cons.
ilreceiveryea, i had difficulty finding any critical reviews on this project. a lot of glowing praise, but i like reviews that are a bit more objective.
money4me247Completely agree. Though I have privately contacted a few owners of WA7 from reddit and I have yet to hear anything negative about them.
Personally for me, I was really satisfied with the Vali sound but hated the noise floor and microphonics. Tried the Magni and it definitely didn't sound as good as the Vali for my taste, with HD650. Hence I'm now looking for a low-maintenance tube amp that sounds good, looks good, without overheating problem, won't blow my headphones up (this requirement takes Valhalla 2 and Lyr 2 out of the question). That basically leaves me with Crack and Woo. Given that I'm probably not that hugely sensitive to minor details in sound, I think WA7 would suit me better than other offerings from Woo.
Now just seriously debating between WA7 and Crack. What's pulling me back from buying the crack is that I have a pair of HD650 as well as K712, and Crack won't work nearly as well as WA7 for the K712 due to the output impedance. Maybe I should consider WA7 vs Crack+O2...
ilreceiverI'm on the fence between the WA7tp and Crack+speedball. I have the HD650, the K712, and the HD700, and I'm not so sure if the Crack combo will work as well on the K712 and HD700 (which is even more sensitive). Although even buying a pre-built Crack with its best paired tube Tung Sol 5998 will cost less than half of the WA7+TP.
I'm also very hesitant on that audio360 article, this guy is talking a +40% increase in soundstage using the WA7tp over the SS.
ilreceiverAfter reading http://www.soldano.com/amp-help/tube-vs-solid-state-rectifiers/ I might not get that tube rectifier. Mainly for 2 reasons: first it's more footprint on my desk, which is the most important reason I'm looking at WA7 in the first place. Second, I don't feel like going through the headache of replacing the tubes on the rectifier when I already have the amp tubes counting down the days.
If you want to upgrade to the WA7tp afterwards, as long as you bought the WA7 already, just tell them the serial number on it and it's available for $400 ($80 more, but you can always make that decision later).
SolariumHmm... I wonder if we can get the SS for $80. Because it's not just $80 more for the choice later but you'd receive the SS with the original order.
SolariumYeah, doubling the footprint is my main reason for not getting it. I also really doubt there'd be appreciable sound difference, given my untrained ears.
HiFiGuy528You said earlier:
AudioMan612:
"I'm currently trying to figure out if Woo will still allow people with older WA7's to buy the new tube power supply at a discounted price as opposed to $649. They were basing it off serial number before. I'd love to get one, but I just can't spend any more money on audio gear for a while.
Edit: Looks like I can get it for $399 still. Well, that will have to wait unfortunately."
HiFiGuy528 4 replying to AudioMan612
"Yes, customers with WA7 can order WA7tp direct from Woo Audio. Email to info@wooaudio.com with the serial number of your WA7 amp."
I sold off my WA7 last year because I thought I could get by on a hifi-m8 with a balanced connection. The only result was that I listened to my LCD-3 less and less. To me, the WA7 by itself represented the point of diminishing returns. By default, I think Woo Audio did an exceptional job pairing a excellent DAC and outstanding standard tubes for the amp.
I'm looking forward to pairing it with my LCD-X!