New from Woo Audio - WA7 Fireflies (3rd Gen)

[iFi audio]

Here is a photo of what came with mine. I know nothing about tubes, but based on them having "USA 5963" printed on them and mostly rubbed off red/orange ink I think they are RCA 5963.

Good eye, they look like vintage RCAs indeed

 

[Duartisimo]

hey guys has anyone have a suggestion on how to use the WA7 as a DAC only? would like to connect it to my Mjolnir electrostatic headphone amp. Mike from Woo recommended not to use the pre-out, as its not meant to connect to another unit with volume control.

 

[iFi audio]

hey guys has anyone have a suggestion on how to use the WA7 as a DAC only? would like to connect it to my Mjolnir electrostatic headphone amp. Mike from Woo recommended not to use the pre-out, as its not meant to connect to another unit with volume control.

This probably is of little help, but since you are in touch with Woo Audio, I'd ask whether the product's volume control can be bypassed.

 

[Pashmeister]

this Wa7 and the new Cayin HA-3a is giving me a dilemma

 

[alsorkin]

this Wa7 and the new Cayin HA-3a is giving me a dilemma

How do they compare?

 

[wanderingsounds]

Is this overkill for IEMs like the Audeze LCD-i3 or the Sennheiser IE900 or can IEMs like these benefit from this kind of DAC/Amp combo?

 

[ozz007]

Is this overkill for IEMs like the Audeze LCD-i3 or the Sennheiser IE900 or can IEMs like these benefit from this kind of DAC/Amp combo?

I don't so I used it with my IEM, I also have the First gen with power tubes, and I also used it with IEMs. Especially my LCL-i4.

 

[wcrespo178]

Hey ya’ll,

Just started rolling tubes on my WA7, and I figured I share my experience here.

The RCA clear 12AU7 tubes provide an all-around clearer sound signature (hence the name). I’d say they “tightened” everything from the treble to the bass. Also, I find they sound awesome with my dark or warm headphones. Consider them a legit upgrade from the stock tubes.

For my brighter headphone (HD800S), I much prefer the Amperex 12AU7 (orange globes) as they have that warm tube flavor these headphones need. This was the true upgrade I wanted for these headphones.

I found both pairs of tubes on the used market for less than half their retail price. Zero regrets so far

FYI: The Amperex 12AU7 tubes I had previously mentioned are available via the "classifieds" page for $100.

 

[Tubewin]

After a long time switching back and forth between amps, I found I prefer listening to my headphones/utopia's through the WA7 than even my Enleum 23r. But the disclaimer is that the tubes need to be right. The current tubes in my WA7 are Mullard NOS ecc82's that are airy and transparent with that all important touch of life, that extra special something you get with tubes. Some of the NOS Mullards sound thick and muffled. Purchased a second pair of ecc82's from tube depot and they did not sound anything like the first pair I received. The year/month of the tube matters that much. Still searching for a second pair just in case... The WA7 3rd gen can really be that good.

 

[wcrespo178]

Has anyone upgraded the WA7's USB cable or power cord?

Wondering if either upgrade is worth the money...

 

[ozz007]

I upgrade my power cable with a 10wg settle improvement. I used it with the dap I haven't tested it with the USB cable.

 

[yagislav]

When powering off the WA7 mk3, I get loud pop noises as the unit shuts off. Is this normal? Is this damaging for the headphones? Should I be unplugging the headphones before powering off? There is no sound when turning the unit on with headphones plugged in.

Unit functions properly no noises or hums or anything during playback so very happy with this unit in general!

 

[whatdidyoulearnabout]

> When powering off the WA7 mk3, I get loud pop noises as the unit shuts off. Is this normal?
Happens to me with LCD-XCs (and IEMs)

>Is this damaging for the headphones?

Empirically, no, my XCs seem as good as ever after doing this for a year or however long I've had it

Admittedly I don't do it with the lower-impedance IEMs that often

 

[1-MiC]

The biggest thing I found out was that the amp scales with your source. The onboard dac was definitely more veiled and vocals were less coherent, like the words that were sung were not as outlined. Mullard tubes+Holo May combo gave the sound a weighty euphonic signature while maintaining a clear and veilless background, which outlined and separated the words in their own space. So, if I had to recommend this as a standalone, without an external dac at the ready, I personally wouldn't take the plunge. But fortunately I'm keeping my Holo May for the foreseeable future and that WA7 combo is very very good, and depending on the circumstances (desk space, aesthetic taste, etc) it may still be worth it to others who want an all in one system. I'm curious to know how their higher end line up will sound now, but I'm still thoroughly happy with the result of the wa7+holo+mullard tubes. Feels very close to end game.

TLDR: It scales. It scales dramatically.

I just A/B's my Wa7's internal dac vs the my Mytek Liberty Dac, and I experienced the same thing. Now my dac isn't a Holo May, but I also heard the internal dac and felt it was a little fuzzy in comparison. It did not have the same amount of separation, so the imaging wasn't as pinpoint. However, If I didn't have the Mytek, I would probably never question using the internal dac. In fact, I was really enjoying it. I loved the sound, and honestly I felt like it synergized a little better with my speakers, which are more on the airy and agile side. However I am a sucker for detail, so I was pleased to hear the Mytek inserted into the chain.

It may be the power, or may simply be the superior layout and/or identity of the Dual AK4497EQ AKM chips vs. whatever ESS Sabre the Fireflies have inbuilt (they're still cagey about this), but I can say that with LCD-XCs, the Topping D70s blows using the inbuilt DAC out of the water in terms of detail and soundstage.

That is where I heard the biggest changes as well. "blows out of the water" might be a bit harsh. I think a step up or two, might be a nicer way to say it lol.

hey guys has anyone have a suggestion on how to use the WA7 as a DAC only? would like to connect it to my Mjolnir electrostatic headphone amp. Mike from Woo recommended not to use the pre-out, as its not meant to connect to another unit with volume control.

I actually am using both pre-outs at the same time, and both are going to amplifiers with integrated volume control.
Wa7 4.4mm Pre-out > Topping PA5 > Monitor Audio Bookshelf Speakers
Wa7 3.5mm Pre-out > Subwoofer (studio sub with a midi controller volume control)

I think it sounds fantastic. This is now how I prefer to enjoy my speakers at my desk.

 

[1-MiC]

As for tubes, the last tube amp I really enjoyed was the ZMF Pendant, which used a single 12Au7 and some other tube as well. So over on the Pendant thread, a LOT of tube rolling has been done. They have some great 12AU7 recommendations! One of the less expensive suggestions was a 1950's Ken-Rad JG-5814. I bought a couple pairs of pewter plate D-getters on ebay for $55 for a 14mm pewter plate, and $70 for 17mm pewter plates. I have no idea what the length of the plate matters?

They were an upgrade from the stock RCA tubes. Not a subtle one, but actually quite dramatic. (Ok let's stay they were a step up, or two.) The soundstage opened up impressively! Mids, Vocals became more present, with more weight to them. It basically gave me exactly what I was looking for when rolling in new tubes. The RCA's were put in a box, and stuck in the back of my desk drawer.