Woo Audio WA22 Balanced Transformer Headphone Amplifier - Generation 2

Upgraded Second Generation of an Acclaimed All-Tube Headphone Amp

Originally introduced in 2009, Woo Audio's WA22 has been an audiophile favorite. New for 2018 is improved sonic performance plus a preamplifier section for using the WA22 (2nd gen) in a hi-fi system.

The Woo Audio WA22 (2nd gen) uses a balanced design from input to output. The advantage of a fully balanced system is improved channel separation, more precise soundstage, and imaging. Perfectly suited for the headphone enthusiast and experienced audiophiles seeking flexibility and purest sound. The all tube-drive circuitry operates in Class-A in an output transformer-coupled design. It offers realistic, incredible detailed, and tonally balanced sound.

"An Audiophile Rave Checklist"

"A description of the sound of the Woo sounds like an audiophile rave checklist," notes Tom Martin in his April 13, 2011 Playback review of the original WA22 for AVguide.com. "If you are looking for an amp that will make most of the headphones you try shine, I can and do highly recommend Woo Audio's WA22."

"Jack Woo (an extremely kind and generous fellow) has managed to create true synergy in designing and building the Woo 22 balanced headphone amp which, with the premium tube upgrades, presents the most effortless, immediate presentation of sound I have heard from any headphone system, or perhaps any stereo system," reports Andy Schaub in his review of the original WA22 for Issue 54 of Positive-Feedback.com.

All-Tube Design

The WA22 (2nd gen) drives a wide range of full-sized headphones and in-ear monitors. And unlike many other headphone amps on the market that make partial use of vacuum tube circuitry, but otherwise are solid state designs, the WA22 (2nd gen) boasts an all-tube design. There are no transistors, ICs, or semi-conductors anywhere in the entire circuitry.

Handcrafted Excellence

The WA22 (2nd gen) is a high quality, beautifully made product inside and out. It uses a transformer-coupled design, point-to-point wiring throughout, and a pseudo-dual power supply. The casework boasts an aluminum die-cast chassis with an anodized finish.

The Connections You Need

The true balanced topology features one pair of balanced XLR inputs and one pair of single-ended RCA inputs. Outputs consist of a dual 3-pin XLR (left and right channel), 4-pin XLR, and 1/4" (6.3mm) stereo headphone outputs. A high/low headphone impedance switch ensures compatibility with a wide range of headphones. The preamp output is a 50 ohm XLR jack.

Smooth, Rich, Tube Performance

For smooth, rich audiophile performance, you can't beat the sound of vacuum tubes. The WA22's tube complement consists of two 6SN7 drive tubes, two 6080 power tubes, and a 5U4G rectifier. An ALPS smooth potentiometer provides accurate and virtually noise-free amplitude control.

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.

NOTE: AC power cord and audio cables are not included

Product Features

Updated to 2nd generation in March 2018
Tubes: 6SN7 driver x 2, 6080 power x 2, 5U4G rectifier x 1
Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) tube sockets
Fully-balanced design, Class-A
Transformer-coupled, Point-to-Point wiring, Pseudo-dual power supply
Phase Splitter for use with unbalanced components
HI / LO impedance setting
XLR input x 1, RCA input x 1
Dual 3-pin XLR (left and right channel), 4-pin XLR and 1/4" (6.3mm) stereo headphone outputs
XLR balanced PREAMP output (<50 ohms)
ALPS smooth potentiometer
Anodized aluminum chassis, available in black or silver
Self-biasing with compatible tubes

In the Box

Quick start guide
WA22 (2nd gen) headphone amplifier/preamplifier x 1
6080 vacuum tube x 2
6SN7 vacuum tube x 2
5U4G vacuum tube x 1
Note: AC power cord and audio cables are not included

Product Specs

Global voltage (100v–220v) without converter
Dimensions: 7" (H), 12" (W), 10.5" (D) amplifier
Weight: 25 lbs.

Product Warranty

Parts & Labor

1 Year Warranty on Product and New Production Factory Tubes | 3 Years for Purchases After January 1st, 221

3-Day Warranty on NOS Tubes

Woo Audio Warranty Information

Product Manual

	Woo Audio WA22 Manual (PDF Format)

"I would argue that the more beautiful something is and the more pleasant to use, the more it will BE used. The WA22 fits the bill on both counts, and it’s built like something you could hand down to your offspring. Depending on the direction you plan on taking your system – particularly if that direction includes Sennheiser HD800s or similar – the WA22 could just be the perfect component to take you through many years of listening."

- Kirsten Brodbeck-Kenney, Part-Time Audiophile, April 18, 2015 - review of original WA22

"A description of the sound of the Woo sounds like an audiophile rave checklist. It is transparent, particularly in that you don't notice any treble veiling or grit as you do with some lesser headphone amps. Bass is solid, well defined and can be very deep with the right headphones. Tonal balance is very, very good, with no sense of treble roll-off or brightness."

"If you are looking for an amp that will make most of the headphones you try shine, I can and do highly recommend Woo Audio's WA22."

- Tom Martin, Playback/AVguide.com, April 13, 2011 - review of original WA22

- Andy Schaub, Positive-Feedback.com, Issue 54 - review of original WA22