Woo Audio WA-5LE/Other Amp Options

Hi Guys,

If this is a waste of thread space/noise please just delete the thread

I am on the hunt for a new amp, moving away from the Audio-GD Master 9. I'm hoping to to find something that isn't necessarily a "wire with gain" but has great clarity, and presents the music in a fairly balanced way with a good soundstage. I'm open to warmth, but not overly warm and gooey. Not much to ask right?

My Headphones currently are: LCD-4, Abyss Phi, Utopia.
My Past Amps are: Audio GD Master 9, Auralic Taurus, Wells Audio Headtrip, Wells Audio Milo, iFi Micro iCAN SE, iFi Micro iDSD BL, a few others small portable jobs.
My DAC is currently the PS Audio Perfectwave, MK1 upgraded to MK2.

I have always found SS amps to be my preference, but this is simply because I'm not a tinkerer, and couldn't be arsed with tube rolling. However, I've realised that I need to be open to all possibilities, as I just can't seem to find the "right" amp. I know I want a powerful amp, with a good amount of gain, so I've been having a look at the Woo Audio WA-5LE.

Is this amp any good in its stock configuration (stock tubes, stock parts?) I know Torq had/has a WA5, but it was maxed out in terms of parts and tubes. The base model/tubes would eat up my budget, so tube rolling wouldn't be a possibility for quite a while after purchase.

I was considering the Mjolnir 2, but I have heard it in the past and was really disappointed. It sounded overly warm, and congested, to my ears anyway.

Another amp I am considering is the iFi Pro iCAN, which I have heard in SS mode and enjoyed. Perhaps this is the way to go, but if I can achieve a bit more sound quality with something like the WA-5LE, then I will definitely consider it.

Any help would be appreciated, and again, please just delete if this thread is considered noise.

Thank you very much for the help

 

If you move your questions to the all purpose advice I think more people will help you.
Have you considered ragnarok, violectric 281 or aphex teton?

 

The WA5-LE is not good value in stock form You have to spend a good amount of money on tubes to make it shine.

SS amps generally don't get better than the Taurus MKII/iCAN Pro, and would be side-grades only. If you want a warmer/bloomy amp, try and hunt down a BW2. I personally do not think it will pair well with the LCD-4.

Tube amps that you can use to drive planars AND dynamics are hard to find. Your choices are mainly WA5 fully upgraded, Liquid Glass, Liquid Crimson, EC Aficionado/Studio.

Right now I think the iCAN Pro would be your best bet if you dont want to tinker too much with tubes and need a good amp with tons of power. If you can find a Glass/Crimson that'd be great, but they're hard to find. WA5 with upgraded tubes do come around used, but you'll have to wait for it, with the right tubes, it's a very good amp.

 

Ragnarok: Yes. Violectric 281: Yes. Apex Teton: Too spendy sadly.

I'm still considering the Ragnarok, but now I have opened my mind to tube amps I need to do a lot more thinking/listening.

Thats what I was wondering about, value wise. The reason I was considering the WA-5LE is that ability which you mentioned, to drive both harder to drive planars, and easier to drive dynamics. iCAN Pro is certainly looking like a promising option, I will go give it another listen on Wednesday. I'm willing to wait to find the right thing, so I'll keep my eye out in terms of used Cavalli's and WA5's with upgraded tubes. Thanks for replying.

Hey Marv. I figured the AF wouldn't be powerful enough/have enough gain for my purposes, so I hadn't even considered it. I like to listen with a bit of EQ applied, bass boost usually, and listen loud (in the evening anyway) so I have run into amps not being able to handle it before. Tube clarity and speed is what I have been reading about, and would like to experience. I thought the AF would be great with the Utopia, but might struggle with the LCD-4 and Abyss Phi.

I'll go read the AF thread fully right now, and try to learn more. Thanks for replying, hope you are well.

 

+1 for iCAN Pro