Click to view our Accessibility Statement or contact us with accessibility-related questions
starter
237
Oct 5, 2017
I had the solid state version of this when it first dropped... Essentially the exact same unit for sale here at $650. It’s very, very pretty, and certainly compact on a desk. I just didn’t think it sounded very good. Lifeless, linear, thin. Don’t misunderstand, it can push bass, but the overall sound was just lacking. No depth. Entirely unengaging for me. I ended up selling mine. I much preferred my “lower-end” Woo WA3... With the right combo of tubes, I found it easily outperformed the basic solid-state powered WA7 in literally every capacity. In my opinion, the WA7 with solid state power should never have been made. The tube-powered version is a different beast, and worthy of the Woo name. But it’s a lot of money. I definitely would not buy this Drop as the solid state for $649, because there are many better options out there for less money, including Woo’s own WA3. And I definitely wouldn’t buy this Drop with the tube power option for $1249, because at that point, you’re laying out some decent money for an amp, and you’re better off just spending an extra $350 to get the more current WA7 2nd gen with tube power for $1599... In for a penny, in for a pound, and all that. This Drop would make sense at $999 for the 1st gen with the tube power option...
Ripsnort
14
Oct 5, 2017
starterGreat info! Thanks for sharing.
MindJuice
117
Oct 5, 2017
starterNot sure how the first gen compares to the second gen, but I have the second gen. I think there was not so much difference IIRC. Anyway, I absolutely love it. There is nothing "thin" about the sound IMO. It's the best sounding amp I've owned.
My friend has the tube power supply version, but I noticed very little difference with it vs. my second gen unit with a normal power supply. Certainly nothing that's worth $600 more IMO.
starter
237
Oct 6, 2017
MindJuiceAs always, YMMV. Have you listened to the WA3 or other Woo stuff?
MindJuice
117
Oct 6, 2017
starterYep. Just providing another opinion. :)
I haven't heard other Woo gear, so can't compare on that front. Maybe it's better.
L047
31
Oct 6, 2017
starterThanks for your info. This matches the results I get from a Chinese Headphones forum. Someone even says it is thin and noisy for specific headphones. Probably, that's the reason WOO AUDIO designed an updated 2nd generation with a different DAC chip and different analog circuit.
Keefer
250
Oct 12, 2017
starterI own the WA3 and WA6. I love the WA3. Listen to it almost every night. Read your post. Totally agree, with proper tubes, the WA3 is a great amp! Do you have any tubes for sale? 6922’s etc.
If you do or want to talk amps, my email is keeferdog@hotmail.com
Thanks
m.allamin7
26
Jun 8, 2018
starterA salesman once told me “ not every headphones excel with tube amps “ . And he also said “ you have to try your own pair with the tube amp before buying it ”. He was absolutely right. I met him when I went to his company in order to try some headphones, dacs, amps , and IEMs. I have a pair of M1060 and brought them with me. I tried a bunch of headphones like Focal Elear, Grado ,HiFiMan Susvara,Edition X and Sundara , along with my M1060 , on different dac/amps and on different Woo Audio tube amps including WA3, WA7, WA8 Eclipse, and WA5 (which costs 5,700$). Immediately I realized that not every headphones are designed for tube amps. For instance , the Susvara ( 6000$ worth of headphones ) didn’t impress me on tube amps, even with the WA5, but on a good dac/amp that’s a different story. I tried my M1060 on all those tube amps and let me tell you that the result was amazing. The WA5 drives a lot of power that may literally break your headphones but the sound is wonderful, a bit tense but still. Pairing my headpphones With WA7 came with outstanding results. The sound was worm and beautiful specially the trebles. I listened to a lot Jazz and Classics and for the first time in my life I feel I’m about to cry for the music!. WA3 was fine but not even close to WA7. The WA8 Eclipse on the other hand was really really amazing, superb and without a doubt the best portable tube amp out there. Long story short, i had to try different headphones on different tube amps to make my mind. And while headphones won’t do well on some tube amps, they may have a better sound on other lower ones. For example, the Sundara sounded better on WA7 than on WA5. That doesn’t mean WA7 is better than WA5.
PRODUCTS YOU MAY LIKE
Trending Posts in Audiophile