Woo Audio Headphone Amps

[southall-1998_mk2]

Anyone here using Woo Audio headfi gear? Any good?

S.

[SquireC]

I have a Woo Wee, which I bought to replace a 40 year old, but still working, Stax SRD 7SB MKii.

Is it the dog's danglies ...no.
Is it good ....yes.

I think its on a par with the Stax. I needed an energiser that allowed a speaker bypass, like the Stax. Some refurbished Stax have had the bypass disconnected. I didn't want a line energiser like most of the Stax amps are now. So it's a little bit like beggars can't be choosers.

What I have found is that it is affected by the support underneath it. With my usual combination of glass, acrylic and bamboo supports, the Wee sounds warm and a bit lifeless. Placing it just on glass with Sounddiscs (vibration dampening) under the feet, and it is dynamic, transparent and a more than adequate replacement.

Unlike some electronics, I don't think its adding its 'own sound' at all.

Your problem, like mine was, is hearing it first. I took a chance, and was originally a bit disappointed, but once I'd sussed out that the support shelf was the problem, I'm now a happy bunny.

But there are better, and very much more expensive, headphone energisers available (but very few with a speaker bypass that is a requirement for me).

[southall-1998_mk2]

I'm aiming at their standard amps. For example, the WA3 OTL.

S.

[doodoos]

As far as I know they are not CE compliant so may cause some issues.

[southall-1998_mk2]

As far as I know they are not CE compliant so may cause some issues.

What issues? Spill it!

S.

[doodoos]

Legally non compliant manufactured products are not licensed to be sold in the EU. Whether that matters or not to you is personal choice. Might hit resale values I guess. Don’t think it applies to diy kit but unsure.
Just flagging it up ‘‘tis all.

[User211]

I had a WA3.

Used it as an active pre in the second system, and as a headphone amp.

It was OK. Best with GEC 6080. Tried a load of options and I still have the valves.

Overall, though, for headphones I'd rather use a solid state device. I'm not sure I like valve euphonics with headphones. Or in phono stages.

Probably why the GECs won. The most neutral option I found.

It's a nice item to own. Well made. And it doubles as a single input active pre.