Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse Battery-Operated Vacuum Tube Headphone Amplifier - Black

A Genuine Tube Amp You Can Take Anywhere

The Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse is a battery-operated headphone amplifier and DAC. It's built around a single-ended, all-tube Class A circuit. Three tubes handle amplification: two subminiature 6S31B power tubes and one 6021 driver tube. All three sit visible through a Gorilla Glass window on top.

This isn't a hybrid design with a tube stuck on for looks. Every stage of amplification runs through genuine vacuum tubes. A rechargeable lithium-ion battery powers the whole circuit, good for up to four hours of continuous playback.

An ESS Sabre DAC handles digital decoding up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM and DSD256. The anodized aluminum chassis comes in black, space gray, or gold. It ships in a Pelican hard case for travel.

Switchable Tube Count, Desktop-Level Output

A rear switch lets you run the WA8 on two or three tubes. Dropping to two tubes extends battery life and changes the amp's character. Running all three brings the fullest sound and output.

In three-tube mode, output power reaches 250mW into 32 ohms, 350mW into 50 ohms, 180mW into 120 ohms, 120mW into 300 ohms, and 80mW into 600 ohms. Both 1/4-inch and 1/8-inch headphone jacks are provided, covering headphones from 8 to 600 ohms.

An asynchronous USB Type-B input handles digital sources. A 1/8-inch analog input accepts a phone, DAP, or other line-level source directly. The unit can keep playing while it charges. A long flight or listening session doesn't have to mean downtime.

Custom nickel-alloy core output transformers round out the internal build. It measures 6.69 by 3.6 by 1.69 inches and weighs 2.4 pounds, closer to a compact desktop amp than a typical portable.

What Reviewers Are Saying

Lieven Vranken reviewed the WA8 Eclipse for Headfonia in June 2016. He wrote that "if you would let ten people listen to the WA8 without telling them it was a small transportable tube amp, at least eight would think it was a full sized desktop unit."

He found that switching between two and three-tube operation "has quite the impact on the sound as well." That gives listeners real flexibility, rather than a single fixed voicing.

Amos Barnett reviewed it for hear.audio in August 2016. He described "its warm sound signature" as "so pleasant to listen with" across several different headphones. He noted that its DAC section "pushes detail up into your face, which balances out nicely with the warmth of the amp."

Who Is This Amplifier Best For?

• Listeners who want genuine tube sound on the go. All three tubes sit in the actual signal path, not as a marketing accent on a solid-state circuit.
• Owners of demanding, hard-to-drive headphones. Output up to 350mW and support down to 8 ohms cover most dynamic and planar headphones.
• Anyone who wants both a DAC and headphone amp in one unit. The built-in ESS Sabre DAC accepts USB directly from a laptop or compatible source.
• Listeners who want proven, independently reviewed performance. Two named reviewers at established publications praised its desktop-level sound in a portable chassis.
• Not the right fit for anyone who needs an ultra-compact, pocketable amp. At 2.4 pounds, the WA8 is closer to a small desktop unit than a slim portable.

How Does It Connect to Your System?

Connect a laptop or compatible digital source to the WA8's USB input, or run a cable from a phone or DAP into its 1/8-inch analog input. Plug your headphones into the 1/4-inch or 1/8-inch jack, whichever matches your cable.

Set the rear switch to two or three tubes depending on how much battery life or output you need. Give the tubes a minute to warm up for their best sound.

Pairs Well With

Building your system? Here are some great companions for the Woo Audio WA8 Eclipse:

• Headphones with an impedance between 8 and 600 ohms
• USB cables to connect a laptop or digital source
• Headphone accessories for on-the-go listening

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a real tube amp, or a hybrid design?

It's a genuine all-tube, single-ended Class A design. All three tubes sit in the amplification signal path.

Can I use it while it's charging?

Yes. The WA8 stays operational while plugged in and charging, so you can keep listening without waiting for a full charge.

What's the difference between two-tube and three-tube mode?

Three-tube mode delivers the fullest output and sound, while two-tube mode extends battery life and shifts the amp's character. A rear switch lets you choose either.

What's the warranty?

Woo Audio covers the WA8 Eclipse with a three-year limited warranty.

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Learn More

Want to learn more about tube versus solid-state headphone amps, matching an amp to your headphones, or getting the most from your portable listening setup? Visit our Learning Center for guides, tips, and expert advice.