*UPDATE* I forgot to put the non-slip rubber pads on the glass, I found them and now glass doesn’t slide around at all!
*UPDATE* After listening to my Xonar STX for about 3 hours today then switching to the Woo Audio Fireflies the difference is even more pronounced. The Fireflies produces a much richer, deeper, cleaner sound for sure. This was playing the same exact content on both amps!
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“this little amp sounds powerful” – The Audiophiliac
“This is possibly the most linear DAC and headphone amp I’ve heard ” – Positive Feedback
“the WA7 is practically a steal in terms of sound quality and physical presentation. ” – HP Soundings
“The WA7 is a thing of museum-grade beauty and simplicity.” – Ken Rockwell
“The Fireflies is very highly recommended for anyone buying their first,
or even possibly their last, reference amplifier.” – Dagogo
“For anyone wanting a high-performance, compact and aesthetically pleasing …
head-phone audio system, there’s no better choice than the WA7.” – Tone Audio
Come talk to me (do it…)
I have been really getting into Audiophile grade equipment lately and since speakers and big amps are too expensive I decided to go the headphone route and I’m glad I did. I already ordered a pair of Sennheiser HD 800 headphones and HiFiMAN HE-500 planer magnetic headphones to kick off my audiophile journey but I was powering them with an ASUS Xonar STX sound card in my PC. Now this card is no slouch and powers them great but the sound is a little dirty from the distortion picked up in the PC. I decided to get a dedicated desktop amplifier with integrated USB DAC. Space is a big problem with my desk since I have so much technology (Watch my room tour video) so I needed something small that packed a hell of a punch to power these behemoths. What I found was the Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies which comes highly recommended by a lot of forums online for it’s size and the punch it packs (lots of volume) and how clean the sound is. I can safely say after making this video it was not a disappointment. Now it’s target is mostly music and not gaming so that is what I am going to use it for since it didn’t like to play well with Razer Surround. But it’s easy enough to switch between the ASUS Xonar STX and the Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies and if I want I can even use both of them at the same time (one to power speakers for game) and the other to power my open ear headphones from the other.
The WOO Audio WA7 “Fireflies” Amp/DAC is a combination of high performance vacuum tube headphone amplifier with a built-in USB Digital-to-Analog Converter. It is a pure tube design, utilizing 6C45 tubes in a class-A, single-ended topology, with transformer coupled outputs. There are no semiconductors used in the entire signal path. The D-A converter is designed to be capable of up to 32-bit/192k sampling rates. This maintains pure data integrity, which is transmitted via standard high speed USB 2.0 interface operating in asynchronous mode.
Specifications & Features:
Single-ended, class-A, transformers output
Linear external high-performance power supply (remote-controlled power switching)
Two 6C45 driver/power tubes
C-Media 6631 USB chip
TI PCM5102A 32-bit DAC chip
Headphones impedance : 8-600 Ohms
Input impedance: 100 Kilo-Ohms
Sampling rate: up to 32-Bit, 192kHz
Inputs: 1 Asynchronous USB2.0, 1 RCA
Outputs: 1 1/4″ and 1 1/8″ headphone outputs, 1 RCA (same connector as the input)
Max output: approx 1 watt @ 32 ohms
Frequency response: 11Hz to 27kHz, +/-0.5dB
Distortion: LT0.03%
S/N: 95dB
Power consumption: 25W max
Mains supply: 100-120V, 220-240V, 50/60Hz, user selectable
Finish: Anodized aluminum
DC cord length: 4.25 ft or 1.3 m
Dimension: AMP: 4.8″ L x 4.8″ W x 5.1″ H with glass
PSU: 7″ L x 3.5″ W x 2.2″ H
Weight: AMP – 5.3 lbs / 2.4kg, Glass – 3.3 lbs / 1.5kg
PSU – 2.8 lbs / 1.4kg
Features:
Handmade output transformer with Nickel Alloy core
32-Bit, 192kHz high resolution playback
Ultra-low jitter USB 2.0 runs on Asynchronous mode
High and low impedance output facilitated via toggle switch on back panel
Open load protection will automatically engage to prevent the amp from damaging when no headphones are plugged in
Multi-functional switch for USB input, RCA input, and RCA output via D-A.
The RCA connectors can be used either as RCA analog inputs or USB DAC preamp outputs
All-aluminum chassis with no screws visible from any viewing angles
High clarity tube protection glass
Multi-layer military grade PCBs
Customized driver for Windows Vista/XP/7/8
USB Audio Class 2.0 is natively supported by Apple OS X version 10.6.4 and above without installing driver
This show is an independent production of Jerry Berg (aka Barnacules). Opinions are my own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of my employer, friends, or any companies mentioned in the show. Email business inquiries to [email protected]
