Comments on: Affordable ultra high-end headphone amplifier

Part 1 of The Audiophiliac's review of a $2K high-end audio system that includes a Woo Audio WA6 SE headphone amplifier.

[kcar27]

Seriously, I have to wonder whether all these high-end devices could stand up to a controlled "blindfold" listening test. Just about every area of consumer electronics has seen dramatically falling prices--but with audio equipment, there's a lot of hand-waving and spouting of pseudo-science to explain obscenely high prices.

Steve, I'd also really, really love it if Cnet could keep up with the release of new A/V receivers. If you guys can't afford to do full reviews on all the new models, please at least report these new releases.

[ndurantz]

So, Steve, I assume you'll tell us tomorrow what kind of kick-ass CD player you'd hook up to this amp?

[UITD]

I hope you didnt test with MP3s. They suck. The quality of that format is so horrendous, it isnt funny.

[soundman45]

Interesting design. Ugly though. probably some of the best sounding paperweights in the esoteric audio industry.

[cardes]

"Even before I listened to it, I knew it was going to be amazing" ... And thats where I stopped reading.

[DaveOCP]

What an utterly pointless comparison. Just because a tube driven headphone amp and a receiver cost about the same, doesn't mean they should have anything to do with each other. OBVIOUSLY the makers of the receiver are going to be slightly more concerned about the digital processing, video switching, and the actual amplifier people are actually going to use. The headphone jack is just there as a convenience. How about comparing this thing to, I don't know, other headphone amplifiers? The PS Audio GCHA also costs $1000, why not start there?

[jkollar]

Yes, this makes my IPod earphone pods sound Sooooo much better.

Sorry, don't buy it that just because it is handmade, uses tubes, uses point to point wiring and uses no circuit boards or integrated ciruits makes this inherently better.

[make_or_break]

I'd like to see the Woo get video signal out to your flat panel LCD. You mean it can't? How rude...

I think that's all that needs to be said about apples and oranges...

Only in the audio industry does the consumer base praise old technology. Where else would you want 1960's tech over 2000's tech. You new car? How about a TV? Flying in an airplane? Recording studio music? It is a great industry for manufacturers cause they don't need to innovate and can just charge more money to saps who eat it up. Anybody want to invest in a start up with me?

[paskunyak]

Golden ears never go deaf, nor dumb! I remain dismayed that most audio reviewers are charter members of the golden ear club constantly praising the sound quality of amplifiers, especially tube amplifiers and their "warm" sound. If an amp is doing its job correctly, it shouldn't have any sound at all, just boost the volume of the sound source. Of course, as a number of readers have pointed out, your comparison of a specialized headphone amp with an A/V receiver is an example of apples and oranges. Here, I must believe the Woo would be much better driving any good headphones than the A/V receiver. And as audio reviewers have been pointing out for decades, headphones are not receiver designers top priority. Still I'm curious to see what you will recommend for a speaker system.

[tedtks]

I thought the lead said ' affordable ' ?

[dcstephens]

Wow. The AV guys never cease to amaze me with their negativity toward anyone that dares to say "this sounds better than that."

If you want to see comparisons of the Woo to their true competition, other headphone amps, roll around over at www.head-fi.org where you'll see comparisons to all price ranges. Woo consistantly is one of the top contenders. If you don't trust your ears, then stick to AV and don't worry about the two-channel guys.

I think it's neat that Steve is offering his views to this audience, but I'm amazed that he might find it rewarding. Thanks to The Audiophiliac for sharing his views.

Dave

[atbglenn]

I see there aren't too many audiophiles here. Most of you probably think Bose headphones are top of the line, coupled the 128kbs mp3's. Sad, very sad.....

[techenvy]

thank goodness for your reviews, i will definitley be purchasing a woo headphone amp, i only wish i had known about there products sooner, i am so bummed , today i just recieved my $200 headphone amp direct from japan ($40 shipping )the audio technica AT-HA250D. plenty loud, i specifically bought because it has optical input, and me being knew to headphone amps, automatically assumed it had a bass and trebble control. ticks me off couldve got american! any advice from anyone would be greatly appreciated , why oh why do many of these not have bass n treble control, whats the difference, i just hope to heck the woo has the controls, cuz i think ill loose it big time if i fork out 600 and no cigar!