Z Review - Woo Audio WA22 

Tubes and bewbs - The daily life of Zeos

Try put a TungSol 5998 and a Tung-Sol CTL-6SN7GT tubes in your DarkVoice 336SE. IMO and 22 others, it sounded wayyyy better than that WooAmp in stock form. All was blind tested and they all thought it was the Woo Amp that sounded better, using Sennheiser HD800S. The chinese tubes that came with the dark voice is crap, for an guy that love audio that much should at least get some decent tubes for it.

came for tube amp review and stayed for smoking hot waifu

to be fair you wont notice that it cost 2000 if you sell everything in your room, draw the blinds, turn of the lights, put on some smoooth jazzz and look at dat tuuub ;P

The whole thing you talked about where the high setting made your headphones warmer, that is not what happened at all. Most tube Amps have a very high output impedance on high gain, usually greater than 10ohms. Low gain is usually less than 2ohms. Your output impedance shold always be as low as possible, but your output impedance must be at least 8x that of your headphone impedance. If it is not it completely throws off the pitch of your headphones. That is why on the 2000X you said it sounded warmer, high gain is too high off a output impedance for 32ohm headphones and it ruined the pitch. Always leave a tube Amp on low gain if you can. If your headphones don’t meet that 8x impedance of the output impedance requirement then you should never go to high gain ever. If you have say a 300ohm can you still should try to keep it on low gain because the lower output impedance will create more tube sound.

30 minutes to warm up? Overkill. 10 minutes is enough.

"50 times with a bad one" Yes, make this a review point in the future.

Zeos, you should redo this review with balanced cables since this unit is designed in balanced circuit not SE

No one produces music on a tube amp? Lol Keep thinking that.

I would love a list of your entire playlist. I've not found a song you've played that i havent liked.

This is one of your worst/unintentionally hilarious reviews ever Zeos. Almost embarrasing for the lack of research and ignorance displayed in this.

I would like to see you test a Pro iCAN tube/soild state and blend all in one unti for a more reasonable price of $1699 . Looks like the best of both worlds. I am thinking even is that worth 3x the the price of the Jotunheim. Thoughts on IFi combo ?

I agree with this review, if you are going to spend money on a tube amp - it should have tube sound!! it makes no sense to spend that much money and burn tubes if you can just get an o2.

$1000 for a fucking lightbulb

Just a heads up the wa22 is transformer coupled hence why it is so similar sounding to a solid state. the transformer converts voltage into current which helps give it the current to drive inefficient low impedance headphones. It would be interesting to see you compare something like a bottle head crack to solid state gear as this has no output transformer it's just straight from the tubes. Although that being said this only works well with high impedance headphones and everything else will sound awful on it. Try it with the HD600s.

Now, if you're just doing a sound review of an amp to determine different sound quality & characteristics than your reference, you should just use your 600s. If you want to test different headphones then use just one amp that can handle any headphone.

Dude, your reviews rock! I laugh my ass off every time i watch one, yet they are super informative. Great job man!

hey zeos if you want to add tube sound there is a few tube dsp plugins for foobar. no knob required!

That's not a gain switch/knob.........that's a high/low impedance switch.

From what I understand with this amplifier, you need to replace the tubes for them to sound more like an actual tube amplifier. The stock tubes it comes with are in essence very, very solid state like which reminds me of my lyr 2's stock tubes. My opinion is this, for $500-600 for a tube amplifier which needs the tubes to be swapped to sound it's best that's acceptable and to be expected even.... At 2K I don't care how good the finish on it is that better come with great sounding tubes out of the box that actually sounds like tubes. I mean the due fact that you can get a tube amplifier that sounds very close to solid state is impressive in it's own right but it kind of misses the point I think, especially when transistors exist.

“Nobody is producing albums on a tube amp” What does that actually mean?? I generally think tubes don’t belong in most home audio, but most of the best outside the box recording devices I’ve used had a tube on the input stage (Neve, TLA desks and some compressors). It’s a glorious thing (apart from the air conditioning requirements for some).

Best reviews on youtube! Like and share boys and girls! Honest live reviews no bullshit :)

can some one please give me a conclusion on the Woo Audio WA22?

LOOOOOOLLL the last line ! ... This is why I love your videos ! ! !

I prefer Bach to Beethoven

Good, honest review as always. Question: Did you actually hear any real difference between the balanced and unbalanced connection on the HD800? Never had the chance to hear a balanced headphone system, dont know if its worth the extra money. Would appreciate your thoughts (but I guess you, not having any balanced connectors on your headphones or balanced amps, answers the majority of my question)

wow i can say this is a legendary review .. NICE .. Thanks ..

I want the electrostatic review, so this HD800 can cower in fear damnit!

damn thats really nice

Good review there Z., appreciate the insight. Think as long as "any" good tube amp gives you a sense of warm natural sound and gratification along the way, it's alright. Check this out anyways (kenrockwell.com/audio/tubedepot/tubecube-7.htm#rex ) - also Audio Technica just updated a few close-back headphones in their ART Series - ATH-A550z. A990z, A1000z and A2000z.

probably it changes output impedance. the hd600 impedance is uneaven and almost doubles around 100hz. when paired with high output impedance amp the frequency response of the headphones.... you know what?.. just read nwavguy's blog.

If you havent had a second to figure out why sometimes cables sound different- here it is- stranded cabling doesnt sound as good as solid. Usually, cables have stranded conductors. Any diy cable that uses a solid conductor could sound better than any fancy 'brand' cable that uses a stranded conductor. This also could explain why 'superior' headphone makers sometimes offer these ugly roungh cables with their products- they need to protect that solid conductor. Price has nothing of note to do with it- standard magnet wire ($1 for 50') will demonstrate this. Note that good shielding matters- and adds cost (its a hassle to make a good jacketed cable). ok later all.

have you seen this Douk Audio 6p1 Vacuum Tube Amplifier Stereo Class a Single-ended Amp Handcrafted

Could we get some early impressions on the th-500rp's? I just bought them and I'm curious to see what you think of them.

Plenty of top musicians/producers are producing albums through tube amps ... and through tube compressors ... lol Never mind ... :)

good stuff.... Thank you!

My fostex T5RP mk3 are power hungry AF too, they take more power to run than my T90 jub-ed (250 Ohms), and my HD600s

ok im right where i can find answers seeing this my current setting is HDVD800 HD800 ch800s cables if i wanna tube amp with this setting what should i aim to and ill change the cables for 2nd time if there whole set u recommend please let me know i wasted alot of times try for better setting even if its means i buy everything from scratch

owned it... was ok....wa6 is the better one with triode......ultimately settled down with ss....auralic tarus mkII.....endgame

Tubes made in the US, really? I'd think they were just relabeled.

Yo Z, try to review the iFi Pro iCan if you could. That amp should be fun for you to test since you got tons of shit to play with.

High gain gives you less torque, more horsepower. It should sound better, always better on low gain (as it gives you more available current). You should only like high gain if you need it- for the volume. likewise, if it sounds a lot better on low, its because that headphone needs more current (it has a lower resistance). Otherwise, if the amp is great, it should sound the same.

Have a try Little Dot MK8SE, it's a flagship amp, one of the best cheap fully balance tube amp and special design to drive HD800 or HD800s. I watch n enjoy most of your honest review channel and hopefully can see your review with this Little Dot amp in future soon

I know this is old. these things are now $2500? FFS. For $2500 you can buy any number of relatively decent used entire integrated 8-70 watt tube amps. I'm certainly not spending that kind of money, and then another small fortune on top of that just to listen to headphones.

beyerdynamic dt 990 and JVC HA-D990....just another one

So they made it "too good" and now it sounds like a $100 solid state amp. Bravo.

If you feel like it, post a flac of the sound demo tomorrow and i'll analyze freq response because it's interesting. Especially with tube amps. (you can post a high gain/low gain comparison too that would be interesting : eliminating the volume matching factor)

Gotta tube the 600? From my experience, between the Magni 2 and the LD MKii, I usually like my 600 on the solid state over the tubeMaybe I just have an unpopular opinion

Interesting discussion on the amp low/high gains! i was actually into that with my recent ALO Audio RX MK3 B+ amp purchase as well, and yes definitely the high gains is my preferred choice for the AD2000X :D

For the HD 800, which amp you think gives a more easy sounding treble? I have the Massdrop m9xx, the treble can still be tiring on my HD 800S. I am temping to get an amp for a smoother treble, what would you recommend?

TH900 is there

No "Is a 2000 dollar amp worth it?" or "2000 DOLLAR HEADPHONE AMP" title? :D

1:11 ha, you got that right. I'm only here because of sneak peaks of what headphone reviews you have coming.

17:10 Numbers? Only numbers I need are 'MK' followed by 'III' :B1:

Thanks for clearing that up! Now one last curiosity needs a scratching: what about hifiman or Audeze planars on this!?!

WA2 is a great in between or check out the Woo Audio firefly they usually get dropped on Massdrop.

I have heard, tubes are better for high impedance headphones, like Beyerdynamic 600ohm headphones. I cannot validate it, just a thing that I have heard online.

50 i think is the more popular number for headphones I think m50x and t50rp

So what's the best amp/dac for the HD800?

What program does he use to listen to his music with. Please tell me

can you review Focusrite Scarlett Solo and compare to the e10k? (DAC quality)

Make more cooking with Z videos !!!

I would like to have a friend like this. Like 'here loan this' .. lol

Your reviews are awesome. Been watching em constantly the last few days! I feel bad for your ears, all the times you switch between amps and the volume is cranked lol!

Hey Z, the emotiva dac was not a product I was impressed with and it was returned.

Dude Z I love your reviews but wow, sometimes I feel like I need Dramamine with the head movements. keep up the Awesome reviews.

How does the Freya+ compare?

dude get a camera stand, this camera on your head thing is annoying as hell

This is more a head phone test....

Do you think Woo Audio will come out with the WA-2OO?

Yo Zeos, is the massdrop Hifimans 350 a must-buy for the 99+15%? Currently own HD600 for music and a small bit of gaming, and HP150 for traveling. What kind of power is required to drive 'em?

"shut thaaaa f### upp" haha hilarious

Z Reviews id love to see you review portable Bluetooth speakers, like the creative roar pro or sonos.

Are these stock tubes Z?

15:20 claymore , that intro is a massacre to my ears hahaha!

Centrance DACport spotted 25:28

my sony XB-1000

new to the channel. I already love it. Two quick questions, whats that tall monitor, and what music software do you use on it.

Schiit Mjolnir. The end.

What is the computer monitor you are using?

z where can those pioneer be had for 60$??

Hey Z! Any plans to review the Audio Technica ATH M40X?? Many people say they are better than M50X!!

It's adorable!

Very good review as usual, thanks! Looking forward to the Fostex 500 review, it's no. 1 on my shortlist of headphone to buy at the moment.....

I'm always curious and it is damn good looking.

first lol Edit: 15 views, no likes no dislikes. Zeos doesnt like his own videos !!!

What pads are those on the Mad Dogs?

Who sells those A/B switches? Also can you reverse the inputs/outputs?

Any good cheap tube amps for hd 700?

what dac do you use with these? interested in buying this but idk what dac i need to buy

this is kinda off topic but what theme for foobar do you use?

What skin do you use for foobar?

would you buy it for yourself?

what is that grey dac thing called?

Another vote for the Auralic Taurus for anyone contemplating spending this kind of money. No tubes means *no tube rolling* - you just plug it in and it works - absolutely no problem driving the HD800 or LCD-X. I'd like to hear the Bottlehead Crack, but for an amp that arrives ready to drive your cans, the Taurus rocks.

always run the gain on these amps on high. I had a wa6 and I felt that when I had the gain on low it gimped the amp. It always sounded better to me on high gain even with low impedance cans.

$2500!? Why are you wasting your time and mine..

What I heard: he bought a Ragnarok!!! .... When do we get a review?

Hi Z please review the ATH M40-X

I would assume that setting it to high gain pushes the tubes higher in their operating range causing more distortion and therefore tube sound. Please prove me wrong if you can.