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Showing 1 of 308 conversations about:
Luminor
0
Oct 9, 2017
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what the difference between the WA7 - WA7D? which one is better? what makes it better? can someone enlighten me please
TJG-MD
57
Oct 9, 2017
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LuminorAs far as I know, there have been 3 versions of the wa7. The first had an RCA connection that would allow either input of source or output of wa7 dac (selected by toggle switch) + USB connection. The second (this drop) removed the dac out feature and added an optical input to the USB input (wa7d where the d means duo). Both used the same dac chip The third wa7 is the current version for more money on their website and has a different dac chip. I have the very first wa7 +tube pwer. I am using the EH 6c45 tubes and I really enjoy the setup, particularly with Senn hd800 or HD 700 phones. Reflector tubes also supposed to be great and are less money from Woo. There are tube rolling threads for the power supply. I recall Harry Pearson raving about the first on a now defunct website and he was using the solid state power supply I believe. For me, it’s a great unit from perspective of sound and style. I have been very happy with my purchase
WooAudio
44
Woo Audio
Oct 9, 2017
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Luminor- WA7 2nd gen ($999) features the ESS SABRE DAC which support hi-res music files up to 24 bit/384kHz.
- WA7d (current drop, $649) features the Texas Instruments DAC supports hi-res music files up to 32bit/192kHz.
- WA7d (current drop, $649) features the Texas Instruments DAC supports hi-res music files up to 32bit/192kHz.
Varholiaglimp
939
Oct 10, 2017
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TJG-MDGreat explanation, and helpful assessment of the sound.
I hope that readers retain the fact that the original iteration of the WA7 -- the one that you first differentiate spec-wise -- is not one of the two models being discussed here, which are listed in your spec comparison as second and third.
Hey, Keefer: do you mean that you own the Beyerdynamic 1990 Pros?
I hope that readers retain the fact that the original iteration of the WA7 -- the one that you first differentiate spec-wise -- is not one of the two models being discussed here, which are listed in your spec comparison as second and third.
Hey, Keefer: do you mean that you own the Beyerdynamic 1990 Pros?
TJG-MD
57
Oct 10, 2017
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escknxActually, I own the very first iteration of the wa7 and it has usb input but no optical input. RCA can be used to input analog. The wa7d (the second version and the one in this drop) has both usb and optical inputs, but no analog input). Thus the designation wa7d (duo or dual digital inputs) .
Varholiaglimp
939
Oct 10, 2017
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escknxDid you read the part of TJG-MD's post in which he specified there are ***three*** versions of the WA7, and that he owns the first version, which was made before the second version in this drop and the third version that is being sold for a higher price currently?
The first version is not for sale on the Woo Audio site or anywhere else. The second version is the one in this drop. The new version, which we've been thinking of as the second, is actually the third.
TJG-MD also did something that no one else here has done, which is to explain what the d in WA7d means (dual digital inputs).
So to sum, the WA7d in this drop is the second iteration, not the first. The new WA7 with the Sabre DAC is the third iteration, not the second. Are we all on the same paragraph now?
The difference in iterations explains why you think you're disagreeing with TJG-MD on the specs of the WA7d when you're actually in agreement.
The first version is not for sale on the Woo Audio site or anywhere else. The second version is the one in this drop. The new version, which we've been thinking of as the second, is actually the third.
TJG-MD also did something that no one else here has done, which is to explain what the d in WA7d means (dual digital inputs).
So to sum, the WA7d in this drop is the second iteration, not the first. The new WA7 with the Sabre DAC is the third iteration, not the second. Are we all on the same paragraph now?
The difference in iterations explains why you think you're disagreeing with TJG-MD on the specs of the WA7d when you're actually in agreement.
TJG-MD
57
Oct 10, 2017
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VarholiaglimpI guess we are all just trying to be accurate Gets confusing with the different iterations. Bottom line is the WA7d is a very nice dac/HA amp, especially for the price. I personally enjoy the TI dac chip, but to be honest, I have not heard the ESS chip WA7 version.
escknx
25
Oct 10, 2017
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VarholiaglimpTJG-MD wrote " The wa7d (the second version and the one in this drop) has both usb and optical inputs, but no analog input)"
And this is what I found to be not correct, because WA7D has RCA analog in, as well as WA7.
From my understanding WOO has 2 gens: 1 gen: WA7 and WA7D - the only difference is TOSLINK in on WA7D(yes, Duo digital ins). Both use same TI DACS and same AMPs.
2 gen: WA7 w ESS SABRE DAC instead of TI and improved AMP section(per Woo info) without TOSLINK.
Personally I've never heard 2nd gen WA7 amp section and cant say if it performs better that 1st gen amp. But for ESS DAC I can say its pretty bright analytical DAC, and I personally prefer TI or any other like BurrBrown chips. I found them to be more musical.
And this is what I found to be not correct, because WA7D has RCA analog in, as well as WA7.
From my understanding WOO has 2 gens: 1 gen: WA7 and WA7D - the only difference is TOSLINK in on WA7D(yes, Duo digital ins). Both use same TI DACS and same AMPs.
2 gen: WA7 w ESS SABRE DAC instead of TI and improved AMP section(per Woo info) without TOSLINK.
Personally I've never heard 2nd gen WA7 amp section and cant say if it performs better that 1st gen amp. But for ESS DAC I can say its pretty bright analytical DAC, and I personally prefer TI or any other like BurrBrown chips. I found them to be more musical.
Varholiaglimp
939
Oct 11, 2017
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escknxI believe TJG-MD meant that the WA7d has no RCA outs. He stated as much elsewhere, but in writing the passage you quoted, he might have inadvertently reversed the terms in and out. Most of us have done that kind of thing, esp. when trying to establish the same point multiple times.
This is verified by Woo Audio's product page for the WA7d:
"Multi-functional switch for Optical input, USB input, and RCA input." Note that nothing is said about RCA outputs, which is the feature that I personally would need if I were purchasing.
Contrast that description with the one on the product page for the newest model:
"The RCA connectors can be used either as RCA analog inputs or USB DAC preamp outputs."
This is verified by Woo Audio's product page for the WA7d:
"Multi-functional switch for Optical input, USB input, and RCA input." Note that nothing is said about RCA outputs, which is the feature that I personally would need if I were purchasing.
Contrast that description with the one on the product page for the newest model:
"The RCA connectors can be used either as RCA analog inputs or USB DAC preamp outputs."
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