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Woo Audio - Best headphone amps ever?

Hi Everyone,

Hopefully starting a good debate. I've had a chance to listen to a dozen or so headphone amps at shows. Nothing has ever come close to the Woo Audio. Pono actually was close, the Ayre designed output stage is among my favorits, but still, Woo is what I would have at my office if I had an office! :)

What do you all think? Are there better headphone amps?

Best,

E
erik_squires
rossb
185 posts
 
I had a Woo WA22 for a while. It was a good amp, but nothing special. I prefer the Headamp GS-X Mk II for solid state and the EAR HP4 for tubes (both of which I own).
geoffkait's avatar
geoffkait
23,365 posts
 
I had the Woo headphone amp, the least expensive one. Very simple, elegant and well made, gorgeous chassis. Certainly replacing the original tubes is necessary to get the best sound. I also wrapped both transformers with mu metal and used two count em Herbies tube dampers per tube, one for the glass near the getter, the other on the base. Two Sylvania Badboys and one WWII Tung Sol rectifier. Fuse by Audio Magic.

333jeffery
122 posts
 
Cavalli Liquid Glass will beat the Woo's pretty handily, and Donald North Audio's Stellaris amp will vaporize them.  Eddie Current's Balancing Act is an honorable mention.
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