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AudioMan612
218
Jan 26, 2015
The tube PSU is only $600+ if you buy it separately. If you buy it together with the amp at the normal Woo price, it's discounted to $399.
As far as cables go, I think as long as you have a decent IEC cable (I would go 14 gauge or better), you should be fine. I have never gotten to do tests of very expensive power cables, but I have my doubts. I also believe that tests on components that really shouldn't be having a huge effect should be done double-blind. People want expensive things to sound better, that's just how it is. That said, I think it's possible for expensive IEC cables to make a difference, but I'll be a bit skeptical until I have the chance to do some experiments for myself. For the USB cable, just get something that's not $.99 crap, especially since the WA7's DAC is powered via USB (at least in the non TOSLINK version). Maybe a cheap "audio-grade" USB cable might be good (like an AudioQuest Forest) would be worth it, but I can't say for sure. The only thing I can imagine making a noticeable difference is if the power conductor has a bit of extra insulation between it and the data conductors.
A better place to spend money (if you use the built-in DAC) though would be something to isolate your computer's ground (something like a Schiit Wyrd, HiFimeDIY USB isolator). These devices create a new ground so that your DAC doesn't use the dirty one from your computer (the Wyrd actually has its own power supply, so your DAC does not use any power from the computer's USB port). I once ran the DAC in my WA7 off a laptop, and with my normal charger, it was fine, but then I used my friends charger, which had a ground loop problem, and the noise was absolutely awful. Before I figured out what was going on, I was worried that my DAC was damaged. I've now stopped using the WA7's DAC, since I have a Grace m920 which I've read isolates its USB connection's ground, so I probably don't need an isolator anymore, but I would definitely recommend it for someone using the WA7's USB input.
Marco_Polo26
9
Jan 26, 2015
AudioMan612I know they are very different, but would you mind comparing the two sonically(WA7 & m920)?
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