Woo WES Balanced Electrostatic Headphone Amplifier - Generation 2

"It Will Dazzle Your Ears"

Woo Audio's WES is a no-compromise headphone amplifier for Stax-type electrostatic headphones. It features a fully balanced all-triode drive stage and uses EL34, 6SL7, 12AU7, and 5AR4 vacuum tubes in its circuitry. The two-chassis places the Power Supply Unit (PSU) in one chassis and the Amp Unit in another chassis for ultra-quiet operation. The innovative stackable chassis, two-chassis design has exposed tubes for a cool look and maximum airflow to the tubes.

The 1200 volts peak voltage swing of the WES produces a greater dynamic range than many other electrostatic headphone amps, including the Stax.

"The WooAudio WES and Stax SR-007 Mk2 headphones will dazzle your ears with state of the art sound for a tiny fraction of the cost of a system built around speakers," marvels Home Entertainment magazine.

"Creamy Delivery"

"I'll recommend the Woo WES for all those who love the lush sound of tubes. Its creamy delivery combined with the brilliant articulation of the SR-009 is a great combination for acoustic chamber and jazz ensembles," reports Tyll Hertsens, Innerfidelity.com, December 2012.

"Woo Audio has produced an amplifier that maximizes the distinctive attributes of a benchmark headphone, the Stax SR-009, and, as a result, we have to consider the Woo WES a benchmark design in its own right," notes Tom Martin in hisHiFi+ magazine review for March 14, 2012

"I don't mean to sound overly dramatic, but the WES is one of those break through products that leaves you wondering about the future of high-end audio… For now, I have reached a new level of satisfaction," concludes Robert Youman, Positive-Feedback.com, March/April 2011.

Dual Power Switches

Dual power switches provide an off/on switch on each chassis. From a cold start, the dual power switch protects the tubes from a high current surge. Turning on just one of the power switches provides low voltage to the vacuum tube heaters while the unit remains in standby mode. Turning on both power switches allows the unit to function properly.

Balanced and Unbalanced Inputs

The WES features point-to-point wiring throughout and offers a convenient and great-sounding unbalanced input to balanced input conversion using vacuum tubes. Two selectable balanced inputs are on hand plus one selectable unbalanced input. On the output side, the WES provides one five-pin pro bias output and one HE-90-type output. A premium DACT CT4 stepped attenuator gives you ultra-quiet level control.

The best audiophile-level internal components are used throughout the build. These include Auricap capacitors for inter-stage and output coupling, Mills and Kiwame resistors, and Telfon tube sockets.

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.

Note: AC power cord and interconnect cable are not included. The Power Supply Unit-to-Amp Unit power supply cord is included.

Product Features

Overview

Vacuum tube preamplifier for Stax-type electrostatic headphones
Fully balanced topology
Point-to-point wiring
Unbalanced input to balanced input conversion (via vacuum tubes)
Standard chassis size
Removable glass panel
Two selectable balanced inputs
One selectable unbalanced input
One 5-pin pro bias output
One HE-90 output
DACT CT4 stepped attenuator
Auricap capacitors for inter-stage and output coupling
Mills and Kiwame resistors
Telfon tube sockets
Assembled in USA

Included Tubes

4 x EL34 (power)
4 x 6SL7 (driver)
2 x 5AR4 (rectifier)
2 x 12AU7 (phase splitter) (back of amp unit for unbalanced input to balanced input conversion)

Note: AC power cord and interconnect cable are not included. The Power Supply Unit-to-Amp Unit power supply cord is included.

Product Specs

Signal/Noise: >100 dB
THD: <=0.3%
1200 volts peak voltage swing
Stax PRO bias: 580V
Sennheiser HE90 bias: 500V
Power consumption: 118 watts
PSU dimensions: 4.5”(H), 16.5”(W), 12”(D)
Amp dimensions: 7.5”(H), 16.5”(W), 12”(D) (with tube guard)
Weight (Amp + PSU): 40 lbs

Product Warranty

Product Manual

	Woo Audio WES Headphone Amplifier Manual (PDF Format)

"The WooAudio WES and Stax SR-007 Mk2 headphones will dazzle your ears with state of the art sound for a tiny fraction of the cost of a system built around speakers."

- Home Entertainment magazine

"I'll recommend the Woo WES for all those who love the lush sound of tubes. Its creamy delivery combined with the brilliant articulation of the SR-009 is a great combination for acoustic chamber and jazz ensembles."

- Tyll Hertsens, Innerfidelity.com, December 2012

"Woo Audio has produced an amplifier that maximizes the distinctive attributes of a benchmark headphone, the Stax SR-009, and, as a result, we have to consider the Woo WES a benchmark design in its own right."

- Tom Martin, HiFi+ magazine, March 14, 2012

"I don't mean to sound overly dramatic, but the WES is one of those break through products that leaves you wondering about the future of high-end audio… For now, I have reached a new level of satisfaction."

- Robert Youman, Positive-Feedback.com, March/April 2011

Audio Advisor occasionally has fantastic deals on clearance items that are in excellent condition and we happen to have just one or two of.

Demo: Photo samples, gear we auditioned, items returned for wrong color/wrong size, etc.

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