[JohnR]

Sometimes, there's a time when the "system" refuses to co-operate. I suppose it's more likely if you have a computer-based active system and like to tinker. Still. So put on the HD650s and play a few oldies from younger and more optimistic days. Hard to turn it off and get back to solving the problem.

 

[hibuckhobby]

Couldn't agree more.  I connect my 650's or D7000's to that Woo WA6 and
pull the lever on the recliner.  It's hard to get back up and re-engage.
Hibuck....

[eclein]

...all the time.
Super-Storms, boring waits somewhere or doing something, nice long walks to set a pace, or just to chill and get lost.....I love it, we are lucky to have it and be knowledgeable enough to really take full advantage of the gear and truly enjoy the tunes even more than most......yeah!!!
 

[Guy 13]

Couldn't agree more.  I connect my 650's or D7000's to that Woo WA6 and
pull the lever on the recliner.  It's hard to get back up and re-engage.
Hibuck....

Hi hibuckhobby and all Audio Circle members.
You own and you are using what I am dreaming of and that is the WOO WA6 and the Senheiser HD-650.
If you don't mind telling me in simple words, how would you describe the sound out of that combo?

Guy 13

[Lyndon]

I love my 650's, but eclein continues to lure me to the dark side (planar-magnetic) cans.
I have a pair of Fostex T50RP that are going to get modified during the Turkey Holidays. 

[mboxler]

I have a pair of Fostex T50RP that are going to get modified during the Turkey Holidays. 

I finished my T50RP mod last night.  Took a few hours (that clay is a PITA!)  Good luck with yours!

Mike 

[eclein]

I love my 650's, but eclein continues to lure me to the dark side (planar-magnetic) cans.
I have a pair of Fostex T50RP that are going to get modified during the Turkey Holidays. 

 Come to the dark side...LOL....I'm thinkng about selling or trading them to try some other types...thats the fun. These are escape cans for sure!!!

[hibuckhobby]

Hi hibuckhobby and all Audio Circle members.
You own and you are using what I am dreaming of and that is the WOO WA6 and the Senheiser HD-650.
If you don't mind telling me in simple words, how would you describe the sound out of that combo?

Guy 13

Hello Guy...
The short answer is wonderful.  The longer answer is:  It depends heavily on the tubes you are using.
I am currently using a Sophia 274b as the rectifier and some NOS RCA 6DE7's as driver/power tubes.
Once fully warmed up, the sound is both detailed and smooth at the same time.  It is ever so slightly
forward in the upper midrange, but not enough to sound harsh.  The bass is deep and tight although
there is still a upper bass 'bump' that is more a function of the phones than of the amplifier.

I recently picked up some HD700's, which are a step up both in terms of detail and soundstage, but
are more revealing of flaws in the recordings as well.  I have owned three pair of orthodynamic cans
and have decided they are not for me. What they do well, they are simply marvelous at.  They require
however, the best source equipment and material to really shine.

The WA6 as it is currently set up, is for me...excellent with both my Denon D7000's and the Senn. HD650's.
I don't see myself replace it anytime soon.  I bought all of them on the used market, so did save 'some' money,
but it is still not an inexpensive hobby.
regards,
Hibuck....

[dB Cooper]

hibuck: Just wondering what orthos you have tried and what didn't float your boat about them. Only ones I have heard were the LCD2's which I was quite impressed with in the Woo Audio room at Capitol Audiofest. Been thinking about a pair so wanted to see what you had to say.

[hibuckhobby]

I have had the HE5LE's (pretty bright), the HE500's (still a bit bright for me)  I have an acute sensitivity
to forward upper midrange/lower treble.   I tried the LCD-2 REV. 1 and it was pretty close to ideal
for me, but at the time I didn't have the Woo WA6, which probably would have been wonderful with
them.   As you know, this is a hobby where personal preference really comes to the forefront, so
YMMV,
Hibuck....

[Guy 13]

Hello Guy...
The short answer is wonderful.  The longer answer is:  It depends heavily on the tubes you are using.
I am currently using a Sophia 274b as the rectifier and some NOS RCA 6DE7's as driver/power tubes.
Once fully warmed up, the sound is both detailed and smooth at the same time.  It is ever so slightly
forward in the upper midrange, but not enough to sound harsh.  The bass is deep and tight although
there is still a upper bass 'bump' that is more a function of the phones than of the amplifier.

I recently picked up some HD700's, which are a step up both in terms of detail and soundstage, but
are more revealing of flaws in the recordings as well.  I have owned three pair of orthodynamic cans
and have decided they are not for me. What they do well, they are simply marvelous at.  They require
however, the best source equipment and material to really shine.

The WA6 as it is currently set up, is for me...excellent with both my Denon D7000's and the Senn. HD650's.
I don't see myself replace it anytime soon.  I bought all of them on the used market, so did save 'some' money,
but it is still not an inexpensive hobby.
regards,
Hibuck....

Hi hibuckhobby and all Audio Circle members.
Thanks for taking the time to answer me,
it's highly appreciated.
For the headphones, my decision is pretty much taken.
It will be the HD-650.
However, I still have in the back of my head the Audeze LCD-2.
But first, it's above my budget
and second, you need a good (Tube for me) amplifier to squeeze the juice
out of them,
which is again, above budget.
If I have to come up with a third reason,
it's my ears, they are not getting better with time,
like the plumbing of a house,
therefore, it might be a lost of money or a bad investment,
as I will not be able to appreciate the sound quality of those headphones.
For the amplifier, I was considering the Schiit Valhalla, because of it's good look, but even if it's a tube amplifier, it's mounted on a printed circuit board (PCB)
and that, I don't like.
The WOO is point to point wiring, built like a thank and made in N.Y. USA.
I would prefer the WA-3 because it is a OTL configuration
and I think OTL sounds a little better than output transformer.
Plus, the WA3 is really affordable for a point to point, rock solid construction...
I will still gather additional information
and opinions from Audio Circle members
and take my final decision early 2013.
Thanks for your long write up, it's helping me in my final decision.
If I change my mind and don't buy the HD-650, I will keep my HD-570,
but I will still buy the WOO WA3.

Guy 13

[dB Cooper]

I have had the HE5LE's (pretty bright), the HE500's (still a bit bright for me)  I have an acute sensitivity
to forward upper midrange/lower treble.   I tried the LCD-2 REV. 1 and it was pretty close to ideal
for me, but at the time I didn't have the Woo WA6, which probably would have been wonderful with
them.   As you know, this is a hobby where personal preference really comes to the forefront, so
YMMV,
Hibuck....

I was just wondering if it was planars in general. The Audeze and Hifiman cans have a rep as having very different presentations. I did hear the LCD2 with Woo audio gear at Capitol and was very impressed- this after listening to the HD800's. Some knock the LCD2 as being too 'dark'- but after I bought my Senn HD555's to get rid of the 'Sennheiser veil', I discovered that, like you, I don't like 'bright' all that much either (usually run the 555's with the treble rolled somewhat). Like you say, pick yer poison...

[Guy 13]

Hi all Audio Circle members.
Thirty years ago, I would have choose the Audeze LCD-2right away, but thirty years later, my ears are not what they use to be, therefore, why spend 1,000 USD on a pair of headphones that I cannot appreciate at their real value.
I am also like many of you, I don’t like the bright sound of headphones, that why I have decided to go with the HD-650, even if I will loose some details.
I think the WOO Wa3 and the HD-650 is a good match,
don’t you think so ?

Guy 13

[dB Cooper]

Guy13,
I think you will find that it is largely a myth that the 650s don't have good detail. I had their "uncle" the 580s back in the day and it was a very detailed headphone, without sounding "etched" or "bright" like so many more recent designs do. Not sure how that would "synergize" with a tube front end but you never know until you try. My 555's go to a whole 'nother level once you get the high frequency balance dialed in.

[Guy 13]

Guy13,
I think you will find that it is largely a myth that the 650s don't have good detail. I had their "uncle" the 580s back in the day and it was a very detailed headphone, without sounding "etched" or "bright" like so many more recent designs do. Not sure how that would "synergize" with a tube front end but you never know until you try. My 555's go to a whole 'nother level once you get the high frequency balance dialed in.

Hi db Cooper and all Audio Circle members.
Thanks.
That's reassuring me.
I am now using with my iPod my HD-570
(Paid 100USD - 10 years ago at Future Sho (Best Buy)
I am satisfied, but since I cannot compare it to other higher end headphones,
I don't know what I am missing.
I can only use my HD-70 with my iPod and my mini Sony system
and I believe that both of them are for 8 Ohms headphones
and my HD-570 are 60 Ohms,
therefore not the perfect match
and I must say that with solid state amplification
I can never listen to music more than one hour at the time.
I hope that with the WOO WA3 I will be able to double that time or more.

Guy 13

I love Audio Circle, always someone to help you and come up with good advice based on real experience.
Of course, once in a while I've been pushed around,
but maybe I deserved it ! ! !
 

[hibuckhobby]

Guy,
I think you will be very pleased with a HD650 and WA3 combination.   My only advice is this:
1.  Give them both time to break in a bit because the sound will change a little . (for the better)
2.  Stop looking at reviews for other combinations.     I say this because it is what I did
'not' do, and the result was constant buying of other things in the hope of improving my setup.
I did achieve my desired result, but at a much greater cost than I had in mind at the outset.
best,
Hibuck.....

[Guy 13]

Guy,
I think you will be very pleased with a HD650 and WA3 combination.   My only advice is this:
1.  Give them both time to break in a bit because the sound will change a little . (for the better)
2.  Stop looking at reviews for other combinations.     I say this because it is what I did
'not' do, and the result was constant buying of other things in the hope of improving my setup.
I did achieve my desired result, but at a much greater cost than I had in mind at the outset.
best,
Hibuck.....

Hi hibuckhobby and all Audio Circle members.

Thanks for the advice,
it will do what you have recommended,
not because you are the voice of God,
but because your recommendations makes lots of sense.
The Woo WA3 and the HD-650 is exactly within my budget for the amplifier/ headphones combo.
I hope the HD-650 will not be discontinued before I reach the bottom of my pocket, which should be early or at the latest middle of 2013.

Thanks again.

Guy 13
 

[Redefy Audio]

HD650 is very good. LCD-2 is not far ahead, but its sound signature is quite pleasant.

for comfort i think LCD-2 is far ahead than HD650

[Guy 13]

HD650 is very good. LCD-2 is not far ahead, but its sound signature is quite pleasant.

for comfort i think LCD-2 is far ahead than HD650

Hi henry218 and all Audio Circle members.
Some time ago I was considering the LCD-2 but the out of my budget price
was my first reason to reconsider,
plus the LCD-2 need a powerful amplifier,
unless I am wrong.
After price and sound quality, the third most important criteria for a pair of headphones is comfort.
Do you think, yes I am asking you for your opinion, the combo Woo WA3 and LCD-2 would be good for me that listen to many different kind of music.
(Except heavy metal rock and country)
If your answer is yes, I might convince myself to go deeper in my pockets for extra money, because that combo will be probably my last one before I get buried 6 feet below ground... (LOL)
Guy 13 

[Guy 13]

Guy,
I think you will be very pleased with a HD650 and WA3 combination.   My only advice is this:
1.  Give them both time to break in a bit because the sound will change a little . (for the better)
2.  Stop looking at reviews for other combinations.     I say this because it is what I did
'not' do, and the result was constant buying of other things in the hope of improving my setup.
I did achieve my desired result, but at a much greater cost than I had in mind at the outset.
best,
Hibuck.....

Hi hibuckhobby and all Audio Circle members.
Thanks for the advice, I did spend lots of hard earned money on audio stuff in the
last 40 years and now that I am getting close to 65 years old, money is more difficult
to earn.
Also, I am a little tired to look around for the best money/quality ratio. (In USA you say : Bang for the buck.
I want this audio combo to be my last one and not get tired of it in a few years from now.
Thanks again for the advice.
Guy 13