Woo Audio Wa7 Fireflies

The awkwardly named Woo Audio WA7 ‘Fireflies’ looks like it has dropped into Australia earlier than expected. There aren’t too many DAC/head-amp combos that really tickle my fancy but Jack Wu’s (picture above, right) latest is surely one of them. A matched pair of Sovtek 6C45, Class A, single-ended headphone stage married to a 32/192 asynchronous USB DAC. Not only that but the WA7’s cubic, glass-metal appearance ticks ALL the boxes for this aesthetically-conscious audiophile.

I recall hearing a pre-production version of this at last year’s RMAF CanJam driving a pair of Hifiman cans (pictured above) and the sound was super-sweet with an good amount of attack and air.

The WA7 ‘Fireflies’ can also be deployed as a standalone DAC. Chip trainspotters note that the USB Audio Class 2.0 receiver is C-Media’s 6631 and the digital-to-analogue convertor is Texas Instruments’ PCM5102A. I’m pretty sure the WA7 will run direct-connected to an iPad + CCK.

Lastly, note the twin output jacks on the front: there’s one tailored specifically to IEMs.

I’ll be pencilling this in for further investigation later in the year. In the meantime, you can grab one in silver or black finish for AU$1098.

Technical specifications:

Single-ended, class-A, transformers output
Linear external high-performance power supply
Two 6C45 driver/power tubes
Headphones impedance : 8-600 Ohms
Input impedance: 100 Kilo-Ohms
Sampling rate: up to 32-Bit, 192kHz
Inputs: 1 Asynchronous USB2.0, 1 RCA
Outputs: 1 1/4″ and 1 1/8″ headphone outputs, 1 RCA (same connector as the input)
Max output: approx 1 watt @ 32 ohms
Frequency response: 11Hz to 27kHz, +/-0.5dB
Distortion: <0.03%
S/N: 95dB
Mains supply: 100-120V, 220-240V, 50/60Hz, user selectable
Finish: Anodized aluminium
DC cord length: 4.25 ft or 1.3 m
Dimension: AMP: 4.8″ L x 4.8″ W x 5.1″ H with glass
PSU: 7.5″ L x 3.5″ W x 2.2″ H
Weight: AMP – 5.3 lbs / 2.4kg, Glass – 3.3 lbs / 1.5kg