Woo Audio WA33 Elite Edition Headphone Amplifier and Preamp - Black

Premium Enhanced Version of the "BEST Tube Amplifier I Have Ever Heard"

In 2009, Woo Audio introduced two world-class fully balanced headphone amplifiers: the WES electrostatic amp and the WA22 dynamic amp. Both are preferred choices among the most discerning audiophiles. The newly developed WA33 is a state-of-the-art fully balanced headphone amplifier that raises the bar in setting a new reference in music reproduction.

The WA33 Elite Edition version of the WA33 is the result of Woo Audio's relentless pursuit of unprecedented performance. Woo's experienced engineers have selected the best internal components and materials from intensive research and development. The Elite Edition embodies a harmonious balance between sophisticated design and technological excellence to satisfy the most demanding music lovers.

The WA33 Elite Edition includes ultra-high-bandwidth, low loss output transformers custom-made with Single Crystal Copper wires and Ni Alloy metal. Premium Single Crystal copper hook-up and signal wires are used throughout the construction. The Elite Edition also boasts an Alps RK50 four-channel volume control in a brass enclosure, four Mundorf MCap Supreme Silver/Gold capacitor for interstage coupling (one per channel), three Mundorf MTube capacitors for voltage filtering, and Cardas XLR and WBT RCA connectors. Finishing the package is a handsome WA33 Elite Edition 24k gold-plated plaque.

All-Tube Design

The WA33 is both a headphone amplifier and a line-level preamp. Unlike the vast majority of headphone amplifiers on the market that use vacuum tubes, the WA33 does not rely on a hybrid tube and transistor design. Instead, for maximum sonic richness that harkens back to the best components from the Golden Age of high-fidelity gear, the WA33 glories in a gorgeous all-tube design.

"The sound of the WA33 is something to behold. This is the BEST tube amplifier I have ever heard. So much power, control, detail, speed, and soundstage," raves reviewer drbobbybones at head-fi.org.

"When the headphone amplifier geniuses from Woo Audio launch a new flagship amp, the audiophile world listens," notes reviewer Coolpep at sama3a.com. "I am thrilled by this release."

True Fully Balanced Output-Transformer Design

The WA33 employs a true fully balanced direct-heated triode, Class A, output-transformer design in a compact form factor, featuring a quad of 6C45 tubes for the driver that pushes a quad of 2A3 tubes for the power in an all-tube design. One 5U4G is used as the rectifier tube. It delivers high power to drive demanding headphones to their full potential, while maintaining a low noise floor for use with highly sensitive models. For maximum reliability, the circuitry uses point-to-point wiring.

Separate-Chassis Power Supply Raises the Performance Bar

The WA33 shares the same striking appearance of the critically acclaimed WES, where both amplifier units are independent of the power supply. This approach eliminates any interference to critical audio components. Additionally, Woo Audio's internal coupling architecture (ICA) technology allows the WA33 amplifier to merge with the power supply unit without an external umbilical cord to form a single unit in two chassis. The ICA shortens the signal path, and thus significantly reduces unwanted electrical interference and raises sound performance to a level beyond what anyone has experienced in a headphone system.

Reveals the Most Delicate Details

The WA33 reveals the most delicate detail with the highest level of refinement. Complex music passages are handled with ease and authority. The expansive soundstage, holographic imaging, and rich tones that are pristine, natural, and vivid create a sense of realism that gives the user a euphoric listening experience. With the WA33, music comes to life.

Preamp/Headphone Connections

The WA33 provides a convenient selection of versatile outputs and inputs for preamp or headphone use. It has a user selectable high impedance or low impedance balanced XLR preamp output, a user selectable high level or low level headphone output, and two pairs of balanced XLR inputs plus one pair of unbalanced RCA inputs. The headphone outputs consist of one 1/4" (6.3mm) TRS, one 4-pin XLR, and one dual 3-pin balanced XLR.