Article: Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies

[Brian]

You can view the page at http://www.computeraudiophile.com/content.php?r=688-Woo-Audio-WA7tp-Fireflies

[esimms86]

Nice review. I'm glad to hear that they updated the DAC which was the weak link in the original WA7(I know because I sold mine).

 

Esau

[John G]

"The house sound of Woo has always managed to avoid a Goldilocks scenario with regards to “how much” tuby-ness it seeks to employ. The bed it chooses to lie in always supplies the right amount of warmth without leaving the mids too loose or allowing the low end to get destroyed in a grand wave of slushy softness....From end to end the 9018 provides a nice platform that complements the traditional Woo prowess of amplifier construction. In/out rights from the analog RCAs maximize the feature set while keeping real estate to a minimum. The external design of the WA7 looks like a thousand bucks, which is convenient considering the going rate for the solid state option falls closely in line with the sentiment. Its easy to say that any design elements that deviate from the norm cause the populace to pick sides, but in the case of this Woo unit most will likely agree that its break from the masses is one for the better."

 

This sure reads like a slightly-rewritten press release from the manufacturer.

[jcn3]

Brian,

 

Just to give Jack Woo credit where credit is due -- Woo Audio has been around for a lot longer than several years. While not remembering exactly, I would venture that Woo Audio has been making quality products for more than 10 years.

 

Here's to his continued success!

 

Jim

[FiFinder]

There are some head-scratchers in this review.

 

Woo Audio hasn't been around for "several" years — the company started a dozen years ago, in 2004.

 

The owner's name isn't "Jack Woo." Woo is the name of the company, but the founders' family name is Wu.

 

The model number for the tubed power supply isn't WA7 (that's the amplifier unit), but WA7tp.

 

What does "the interception of new and old" mean? What is being intercepted? Perhaps the reviewer means "intersection"?

 

"The mirrored round knob on the front of the power supply..." No such thing. Both units are available in brushed steel or black. Not a single part on either unit, in either finish, is "mirrored."

 

Cheers,

 

FF

[The Computer Audiophile]

The model number for the tubed power supply isn't WA7 (that's the amplifier unit), but WA7tp.

Woo Audio asked us to name the product WA7 without the letters tp appended to the name for this review. The review originally called the product WA7tp.

[FiFinder]

Woo Audio asked us to name the product WA7 without the letters tp appended to the name for this review. The review originally called the product WA7tp.

 

 

Go to the current product page for the WA7:

Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies headphone amplifier with built-in USB 24/384K Digital-to-Analog Converter

 

Direct quote:

 

"The WA7tp (left) is a vacuum tube external linear power supply utilizing two 12AU7 tubes as rectifiers"

[The Computer Audiophile]

Go to the current product page for the WA7:

Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies headphone amplifier with built-in USB 24/384K Digital-to-Analog Converter

 

Direct quote:

 

"The WA7tp (left) is a vacuum tube external linear power supply utilizing two 12AU7 tubes as rectifiers"

Im not going to argue with you or share the private email from Jack, asking us to change it from WA7tp to WA7. I don't see the point.

[FiFinder]

Oh, I believe you, although I don't understand to what end Jack would've made his request. I'm only saying that the official name of the tubed power supply is the WA7tp, and that remains so today. The WA7 is the amplifier unit.

[markjock3]

Nice review Brain. I own this headphone amplifier/DAC in the older incarnation, with the tube power supply. And it is one fine piece of equipment.

[WayTooCrazy]

Interesting devices, but now that the WA8 is out, these seem a little less relevant to me.