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Lush, Rich, Natural Vacuum Tube Headphone Amp and Preamp with USB DAC
There are so many headphone amps with DACs on the market these days, it's hard to know which one to choose. Especially since so many have similar features. Woo Audio's WA7 3rd gen Fireflies goes its own way, offering outstanding, natural-sounding audio with its modern take on classic vacuum tube technology for lush, rich, natural sound.
If you've hesitated to try tube gear because of concerns about longevity and maintenance problems, have no fear about the Fireflies! It uses long-life vacuum tubes that never need biasing, so there is nothing to adjust and no more maintenance required than flipping the on switch and sitting back to enjoy your favorite music through headphones or speakers.
Yes, we said speakers, because this isn't just a headphone amp. It is also a full-featured preamp, allowing you to thrill to new listening experiences with your amp and speakers.
And if you happen to be an audiophile who loves tweaking and experimenting for that special sonic edge, you can experiment with different tubes in your WA7 3rd gen Fireflies to suit your listening preferences. For more on that, read on.
"Amazing Tube Sound"
"The first thing I notice is the amazing tube sound," observes reviewer bluestorm1992, head-fi.org, September 21, 2021. "If I were to describe it, this is a deep sound, which I believe is created by the resonance and reverberating in sound. Along with that, it is the warmth and smoothness it gives to the music that works particularly well with vocals."
"To me, it is like the gateway drug to the world of tube amps, but at the same time I also wonder how much better can other tube amps deliver compared to the amazing WA7 3rd gen – it is already so great as is."
"Makes an Appreciable Sonic Difference"
"Damn, it is a fun little amp," reports giovao5, forum.hifiguides.org, May 2024.
"It definitely settles in really nicely after it warms up. Just based on first impressions, a lot of what people say is accurate. Worth it if you crave the 'tube' sound and you can reasonably afford it. Might even say it’s worth saving up for as it ACTUALLY makes an appreciable sonic difference… Preamping from it is also REALLY cool."
Pure Tube Design for Stunning Sound
Updating its hugely popular Fireflies Gen 2, Woo Audio's WA7 3rd gen Fireflies combines a high performance vacuum tube headphone amplifier and preamp with a built-in USB Digital-to-Analog Converter. It is a pure tube design, utilizing 12AU7 tubes in a class-A, single-ended topology, with transformer coupled outputs. There are no semiconductors used in the entire signal path.
Nearly a decade ago, Woo Audio set out to create an attractive, high-performance vacuum tube amplifier that would delight the eyes and ears of music lovers. The original award-winning WA7 Fireflies headphone amplifier/DAC was born. And now Woo Audio is proud to introduce the improved 3rd generation version of this highly acclaimed component. It is sure to satisfy even the most discerning listener.
"Digital Audio Couldn’t Be Easier"
"The magic cube here looks and sounds great. The series has pulled out all the stops, and the 3rd generation now brings a handful of useful and practical options to the desktop to partner with all the latest sources (and headphones)," notes AudioHead, September 21, 2021.
"Digital audio couldn’t be easier, and the whole package is a testament to the recent wave of high resolution streaming opportunities that were so long overdue. Things just work, and now they work in even higher quality from source to transducer."
Built-in Linear Power Supply and High Performance DAC
Keeping the same elegant look that makes WA7 Fireflies unique, the new 3rd gen features a built-in linear power supply, making the set-up a breeze and a one-box solution. In addition, the 3rd gen version employs a balanced headphone output (plus a standard 1/4" headphone output) driven by a pair of 12AU7 vacuum tubes. The user-replaceable vacuum tubes can be upgraded to customize the sound to your personal preference.
The power output of the WA7 Fireflies is over 1.5 watts per channel at 4 Ohms, compared to 1.0 watt for the Gen 2 Fireflies. The power boost is ideal for a wide range of IEM (in-ear monitors) as well as power-demanding full-sized headphones.
The class-leading, high performance ESS SABRE Audiophile DAC provides up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM, and 128DSD/5.6MHz. It allows you to enjoy music from streaming services such as TIDAL, Qobuz, Apple Music, and Amazon Music HD in lossless resolution.
It's a Tube Preamplifier, Too
You asked for it and Woo listened. The new 3rd gen is also a tube preamplifier enabling you to easily integrate WA7 fireflies with your home speaker system. Or use it to drive a pair of desktop-powered speakers for more ways to enjoy the uncompromised sound.
And you get your choice of preamp outputs, too. A rear panel switch selects a 4.4mm 5-pole by Pentaconn by NIPPON DICS balanced preamp output, which is the preferred output to use for no-compromise sound. You can also select the 6.3mm (1/4”) stereo preamp output and also enjoy the highest quality sonic output from your WA7 Fireflies.
The high quality construction features include a pair of Nickel Alloy core output transformers, all-aluminum chassis with no screws visible from any viewing angles. A thick block of superior quality, high clarity glass is provided to protect the tubes, while maintaining a clean and elegant aesthetic.
"Clean, Even, and Detailed from Top to Bottom "
"It is a pure tube, class-A transformer coupled amp. With the stock tubes (well burnt in), the amp has a very linear sound," notes owner Dave at headfonia.com.
"Clean, even, and detailed from top to bottom. The highs have sparkle with some decent air. There is decent midbass impact with enough body, and the mids connect the two without drawing too much attention to themselves. It is a very balanced sound.
Adventures in Tube Rolling
This Woo Audio product is perfect for tweakers who love to experiment with their gear. Changing the sound quality is as easy as trying a different set of audio tubes as an alternative to the tubes that come standard with your Woo. You'll find lots of suggestions for 'tube rolling' on the Internet on head-fi.org and other audiophile Websites. So roll your own and enjoy!
Assembled in Brooklyn, New York, USA
Woo Audio takes great pride in the fact that its products are assembled in Brooklyn, New York, USA from foreign and domestic components.
