{"product_id":"woo-audio-wa22-balanced-transformer-headphone-amplifier","title":"Woo Audio WA22 Balanced Transformer Headphone Amplifier","description":"\u003cdiv style=\"max-width:720px;margin:0 auto;padding:32px 24px 48px 24px;background:#ffffff;\"\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:0 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eAll Tube, Fully Balanced, No Shortcuts\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eSome headphone amplifiers use tubes for flavor and transistors for the heavy lifting. The Woo Audio WA22 takes the harder road. It is an all-tube, fully balanced, Class-A design, with no transistors anywhere in the signal path. The second generation adds a true preamp function to a design Woo has refined since 2009.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eTwo 6SN7 driver tubes, two 6080 power tubes and a 5U4G rectifier do all the work. Output reaches 1.5 watts per channel into 32 ohms. That is real power for planars and other hard-to-drive headphones. A switchable high\/low impedance setting matches the amp to anything from 8 to 600 ohms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe outputs are transformer-coupled. That keeps your headphones clear of the tubes' DC voltage, and it holds the drive steady across the whole impedance range rather than letting it sag at one end.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHand-Built in Brooklyn, Point to Point\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eEvery WA22 is built in Brooklyn, New York. It is wired point to point by hand, not on a circuit board. An ALPS balanced volume control handles level. The design is self-biasing, so tubes can be swapped without measurements or adjustments — which is why tube rolling is much of the appeal here.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe second generation also turns the WA22 into a control center. Balanced XLR preamp outputs, under 50 ohms, let it drive a power amp or a pair of powered speakers. So one volume knob can run both your headphone and speaker systems.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe chassis is anodized aluminum, in black or silver. It measures 12.5\" wide, 12\" deep and 8.5\" tall with the tubes in, and weighs 26 pounds. Give it air above and behind: tubes run hot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWho Is This Amplifier Best For?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou own demanding, high-end headphones\u003c\/strong\u003e — 1.5 watts per channel and an 8-600 ohm range drive hard loads that leave smaller amps strained.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want a true balanced setup\u003c\/strong\u003e — balanced XLR input, dual 3-pin and 4-pin XLR headphone outputs, and a fully balanced circuit from end to end.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want tubes without the maintenance headaches\u003c\/strong\u003e — the self-biasing design means tube swaps need no adjustment or test gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou want one volume control for headphones and speakers\u003c\/strong\u003e — the balanced preamp output runs a power amp or powered monitors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eYou listen mostly on sensitive IEMs, or you want a small desk amp\u003c\/strong\u003e — the size and the power here are more than that job needs, and a smaller design from our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/headphone-amplifiers\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eheadphone amplifiers\u003c\/a\u003e fits better.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eHow Does It Connect to Your System?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eConnect a source two ways: balanced XLR from a DAC or other balanced component, or standard RCA, which the WA22's phase splitter converts for its balanced circuit. Headphones connect through a 4-pin XLR, dual 3-pin XLRs, or a 1\/4\" jack, and the high\/low impedance switch matches the output to your specific headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eTo use it as a preamplifier, run the balanced XLR outputs to a power amplifier or powered speakers. Give the tubes a few minutes to warm up, and leave room above the amp for ventilation, as a Class-A tube design runs warm by nature.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003ePairs Well With\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eBuilding your system? Here are some great companions for the WA22:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeadphones:\u003c\/strong\u003e This amp deserves a reference-level headphone to match — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/headphones\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eHeadphones\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDAC:\u003c\/strong\u003e A balanced DAC on the XLR input keeps the whole chain balanced — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/digital-to-analog-converters\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eDigital-to-Analog Converters\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCables:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quality balanced interconnects matter at this level — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/interconnect-cables\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eInterconnect Cables\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAudio Rack:\u003c\/strong\u003e Give this 26-pound amp a stable, ventilated home — see our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/collections\/audio-racks\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eAudio Racks\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat changed in the second generation?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWoo Audio updated the WA22 in 2018 with improved sonic performance and added a balanced preamplifier output, so it can control a speaker system as well as headphones.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat tubes does it use?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eTwo 6SN7 driver tubes, two 6080 power tubes, and one 5U4G rectifier. Self-biasing makes tube rolling simple.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eCan it drive hard-to-drive headphones?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes. It delivers up to 1.5 watts per channel into 32 ohms and handles headphones from 8 to 600 ohms, with a high\/low impedance switch for the best match.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eDo I need a balanced source to use it?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eAlongside the balanced XLR input, there's a standard RCA input, and an internal phase splitter converts that signal for the balanced circuit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eCan I use it as a preamp?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eYes. Balanced XLR preamp outputs let the WA22 drive a power amplifier or powered speakers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3 style=\"font-size:1.05em;margin:0.9em 0 0.25em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhat's the warranty?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWoo Audio covers the WA22 with a 3-year limited warranty.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eSee It in Action\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eRyan Ho shares his listening impressions of the second-generation WA22:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/2qMkbq10rdk\" title=\"Could not stop listening! - Woo Audio WA22 (2nd gen)\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.5em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eThe Source AV Design Group walks through the WA22 as both headphone amp and preamplifier:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ciframe width=\"100%\" height=\"360\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/SZo2xlbgdu0\" title=\"Woo Audio WA22 Balanced Headphone Tube Amplifier and Pre Amplifier\" style=\"border:0;margin:0 0 0.9em 0;display:block;\" allowfullscreen\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eWhy Audio Advisor?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cul style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;padding-left:1.4em;line-height:1.6;\"\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e40+ Years of Expertise — Since 1981, we've helped over a million music lovers find the right gear.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e60-Day Money-Back Guarantee — Take your time. Listen, enjoy, and make sure it's right for you.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReal Experts, Real Help — Our team is here to answer your questions at 800-942-0220, weekdays 9am–6pm EST.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFree Shipping — On orders over $49, delivered to your door.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFlexible Payment Options — Financing available so you can start listening now.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2 style=\"font-size:1.25em;margin:1.4em 0 0.35em 0;font-weight:600;\"\u003eLearn More\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp style=\"margin:0 0 0.9em 0;line-height:1.55;\"\u003eWant to learn more about headphone amplifiers, tube audio, or building a headphone system? Visit our \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/learningcenter.audioadvisor.com\/\" style=\"color:#8a5a2b;\"\u003eLearning Center\u003c\/a\u003e for guides, tips, and expert advice.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Audio Advisor","offers":[{"title":"Black \/ New","offer_id":45983433982125,"sku":"NEW-WAWA22G2-BLK","price":2699.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Silver \/ New","offer_id":45983066456237,"sku":"NEW-WAWA22G2-SIL","price":2699.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0750\/3708\/1773\/files\/WAWA22G2_SIL_3QT-Large__68623.1696520350.1280.1280.jpg?v=1778127064","url":"https:\/\/www.audioadvisor.com\/products\/woo-audio-wa22-balanced-transformer-headphone-amplifier","provider":"Audio Advisor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}