Can Jam Chicago, 2010, International Head-Fi Meet—Part 3

Posted by: Chris Martens at 3:03 pm, June 11th, 2010

Models that particularly caught my attention at Can Jam were the entry-level WA3 tube-powered headphone amp ($495), the WA2 tube-powered, OTL preamp/headphone amp ($1050), the WA6 single-chassis, tube-powered, transformer-coupled headphone amp ($690), the WA6-SE two-chassis headphone amp ($1050—essentially a two-chassis version of the WA6 with a significantly upgraded tube-type power supply), the WA5 two-chassis, tube-powered integrated/headphone amplifier ($3150) and the WA5 LE “Lite Edition version of the WA5 ($2500), which is optimized purely for driving headphones.  And just in case you’re wondering, Woo offers—and displayed at Can Jam—even more models than I’ve listed here. 

Frankly, the sheer breadth of the Woo product line can be breathtaking (even daunting), with Wu opting in some instances—as you can see from my list above—to produce two models at the same price point, yet which have totally different circuit topologies. The upshot of this, however, is that Woo offers models to fit a wide range of budgets, with circuit topologies whose various combinations of sonic strengths are calculated to appeal to listeners with very specific and discerning tastes.

__________

Can Jam Highlights

When returning from an event such as Can Jam, it’s inevitable for colleagues to ask, “What did you hear that impressed you?” By way of answering that question, let me offer a few of my favorite highlights from the event.

Four Great-Sounding Headphone-Based Systems

• *  ALO Audio Rx headphone amp, Cypher Labs AlgoRhythm Solo digital iPod Interface/DAC, Apple iPod, Sennheiser HD800 headphones.
• *  Apex Pinnacle headphone amp, Meridian 808.3 disc player, and balanced-configuration Beyerdynamic T1 Tesla headphones.
• *  Cavalli Audio Liquid Fire headphone amp, Denon SACD/CD player, and AudeZ’E LCD-2 planar magnetic headphones.
• *  Woo Audio WA5 LE headphone amp, Original disc player, and Grado PS1000 headphones.

Four Terrific Full-Size Headphones

• *  AudeZ’E LCD-2 planar magnetic headphones.
• *  Beyerdynamic T1 Tesla headphones.
• *  HiFiMAN HE-6 planar magnetic headphones.
• *  Sennheiser HD800 headphones.

Three Promising In-Ear Headphones

•  *  JH Audio JH 16 PRO 3-way, custom-fit in-ear monitors.
• *  Sensaphonic 2MAX 2-way, custom-fit in-ear monitors.
• *  Westone ES5 3-way, custom-fit in-ear monitors.

Cutting Edge Technology

• *  JH Audio active-version JH 16 Pro in-ear monitors driven by the JH-3A DSP-controlled, active 3-way crossover/tri-amplifier module.

The Three C’s: Coolness, Convenience, and Cost-Effectiveness

• *  CEntrance DAC Port USB-powered 96/24 USB DAC/Class A headphone amp.

Over-the-Top, Cost-No-Object Headphone Amp

• *  Apex Pinnacle tube-powered preamp/headphone amp. 

Wrapping Up

Whether you’re a confirmed headphone addict, a traditional audiophile looking for a new way to enjoy music, or a music lover looking to get closer to the sounds that fuel your soul, I strongly encourage you to attend a Can Jam event at your earliest opportunity. You’ll find eye-opening gear and—more importantly—great people whose passion for music and kind, generous spirits you'll find thoroughly uplifting.