Most headfiers that buy the WA22 v1 or v2 end up rolling tubes for the best sound. That can be said of just about any tube amp but in the case of the WA22 it can cost nearly as much as the amp itself. The Stellias are very efficient so you won't need much power. In that price range <$2500, Auris makes a nice tube amp, HA-2SF, that is sold by Moon Audio. Woo makes less expensive amps like the WA-2 or WA6/6SE that are highly regarded. Feliks Audio tube headphone amps are a good match with Focals. A good solid state amp in that price range is the Headamp GSX-Mini. Burson's TOTL SS amp comes in at about $2500 and it should have enough power to drive just about any headphone that you may buy in the future. You'll find a lot more information about the amps that you're considering on Head-Fi.
Bit the Dollar and bought headphones.
Finally went ahead and ordered a set of headphones. The Focal Stellias are on there way from Moon Audio in North Carolina. A headphone amp is next. I’m currently using my CD players, a Marantz headphone amp. There’s a Sim Audio headphone amp with dac I’m looking at advertised here on Audiogon. I know I’ll want a seperate dac also eventually. I’m tempted to buy a discreet headphone amp and use the dac in my Cambridge Audio universal disc player for now. The Sim Audio Moon is very nice and just within price range used. I was looking at a Woo and Rogue, both tube. I’m split between the Sim Audio and the Woo 22 v2 and Rogue Audio RH 5. I haven’t gotten any feedback on the Rogue. I’ve gotten feedback on both the Sim Audio and the Woo so I’m thinking one or the other. I do realize I’m comparing solid state with tube. Please give me feedback on the sound characteristics of aforementioned units. Interconnects come after the amp. Suggestions are greatly appreciated. I can not afford a penny over the price of aforementioned amps so I’m limited to about 2500 for the headphone amp. Other suggestions are greatly appreciated. Used is obviously an option as I’m looking at entry reference level. This will be an endgame headphone amp for me unless I win the lottery. Thanks.
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- 16 posts total
- 16 posts total