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Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies 2nd Generation Tube DAC/Amp
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Woo Audio WA7 Fireflies 2nd Generation Tube DAC/Amp
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Product Description
Woo Audio’s first WA7 Fireflies DAC/amp was a big hit among audiophiles. Now, the brand is back—and the fireflies are flying again Read More
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keyboard_arrow_downmensrea
11
Nov 6, 2020
meh, I’ve had the fireflies for a few years. Gorgeous to look at, but let’s get real, audio tech and sound wise you could match it spending a third of the price on something from Drop or Topping. You’re not paying for the tech though, you’re paying for production value and aesthetics. Some may see value in that, others will not. Just sayin’. EDIT and as someone else has already pointed out, the fireflies sound like a SS amp. I spent hundreds of dollars trying different tubes... all sounded the same. You will be disappointed if you buy these to tube roll. Sound signature is definitely on the clinical side, which is what you would expect from a solid state amp.
(Edited)
justice_league
14
Nov 7, 2020
mensreaI agree, it is very clinical sounding for a tube amp. I wonder sometimes do they even listen to their own amp after they built it?
mensrea
11
Nov 7, 2020
It’s curious then isn’t it I can’t tell the difference after spending hundreds of dollars on several varieties of tubes all recommended by various “experts” on Headfi. Neither could the audio store owner who sold me the Fireflies, not only on my unit but even on the demo units he had.
WooAudio
44
Woo Audio
Nov 3, 2020
WA7 (1st gen) was introduced in late 2012 at $999. We updated many of the internal components including the DAC and analog output stage in 2016 (WA7, 2nd gen). Today in 2020, the price is unchanged and 2nd gen is a current model, not a clearance product. It is listed on our website at the full price right now.
The last time we did a DROP was in 2017. We don't discount our products often because it devalues the product new and on the used market. We pride ourselves in making great sounding, high quality audio products that can be enjoyed for many years. We don't make products with gimmicky features that is quickly outdated in 1–2 years.
This model has been immensely popular and we have many happy customers around the world enjoying theirs. The small footprint, one-box (amp/DAC) makes WA7 great for the office or those working from home. All you need is one USB cable and AC power (both are supplied) to enjoy great sound quality.
If you put together a good quality DAC and amp separately and cables to connect them, the cost is not too far from $850. And with all the cables and boxes, it's not an elegant system anymore.
(Edited)
justice_league
14
Nov 3, 2020
I tried this WA7 at a Audiophile meet a few years ago and at a friends house. I didn't know what the price were when I first listened to it. I spent a good hour listen to it at the audiophile meet. They were using Tidal as the source and I myself is subscribed to Tidal, so I know the app really well. I must say after listen to it for an hour and with my favorite tracks, I wasn't impressed with it, esp the DAC part. I didn't know which DAC they had in it, but a few tracks that I listened to that had a lot of details and instruments playing at the same time, the DAC wasn't able to keep up and the instruments was all over the place and does NOT sound natural at all. A good DAC it's job is to provide depth and separations of instruments in a way so it will sound like you're sitting in front of the band and being able to provide you with the sound stage when the track calls for it. The DAC inside of the WA7 doesn't do that. Instead, it sounds like you're listening to a radio in your car, but a little bit more clearer than your car's radio. And also, the most important part of the DAC ( A good DAC )is to sound NATURAL. Especially with piano tracks that I was listening to on the WA7. It sounded like any other DAC, like the DAC that's on my phone. I can't tell the differences between the WA7 DAC to my iphone's Dac to save my life. With that being said, after I finished listening to it at the audiophile meet, I thought the price would be in the $200-$300 range same like Schiit Modi or in that class. Because Schiit audio have some very nice dac/amp for a very reasonable price and sounded really good especially when you get past the $300 range. When I found out it was over $1300 and plus tax and shipping would be around $1500 I litterally took a back and to say I was shock is an understatement. There is NO WAY this dac/amp combo worth that much money!! I mean holy crap! Especially in this day and age with so so much option out there to choose from. The amp part doesn't sound like tube amp at all! It sounded more like solid state than tube amp to me no matter which tube I put in at the audiophile meet. They all sounded not much different, tbh I can't tell most of the tubes I put in apart. I mean the whole idea of buying a tube amp is because you wanted a tubey sound signature. If I want it to sound like a solid state amp than I will buy a solid state amp. I tried the Chinese tube amp, is call the Darkvoice and that amp sounded like a tube amp, and I can tell right away when I swap out different tube. That amp sounded better like how a tube amp should sound like than what this WA7 so called tube amp has to offer. That amp goes for under $200 on Amazon, shipped to your door free, if you're a prime member. I don't know what make's them think they can charge that much for a very mediocre sounding amp for that much money. It looks pretty, sure, and that's all that it has going for it. If I wanted something elegant and beautiful I would buy a pot of flowers to put on my desk NOT a box with tubes sticking out of it. If you buy this amp than you have more money than brains. I been an Audiophile for over 30 years, and this outrageous price mark up for these VERY mediocre product has to stop NOW! It's the reason why they had to sell it on Drop, because on their website people aren't buying it. You really think they would want to sell it on Drop and give Drop a percentage of their profits if they're doing so well on their own? I don't think so. WA7 had been around for many years and still charging the same price for it. Technology changes every year. And that goes for audio as well. Don't let them tell you any different, like their products were built to last for decades for your enjoyment and "won't quickly be outdated in a few years". That's BS. Because technology changes and improve every year. Say Apple would sell their Iphone with the same features as last year would you buy it? Of course not! But if they told you that they have improve the camera or processor and have new features then perhaps its worth buying. You wouldn't buy a 5 years old computer at the same price that they originally charge you for 5 years ago when it first release would you? Is the same for amps and DAC'S. They have newer more advance DAC'S every year with better technology, and that's what you're paying premium for, newer, cutting edge, today's technology. WA7 kinda remind me of Apples computer. They will use outdated 1-2 years old processors in their laptop but charges you today's price for it. I'm sure they sold many of these units. Most of the people that bought them cant tell you the difference between an amp to a DAC is. For people like us that actually cares about these things, who would go to audiophile meets and join audio forum's that can tell you what a dac or amp does will spent their money on companies that actually put money in for research to innovate better features and cares enough for people like us to give us cutting edge, today's technology for a reasonable price. Because we all know, in order to have cutting edge technology you will need to invest in it. I am willing to pay a pretty penny to companies like Chord or Schiit Audios that actually put in millions of dollars into further researching upon improving their products. I'm sure there are many positive reviews on the internet and youtube on these units. But they didn't tell you that these unit were sent to them for reviews and for them to keep for their reviews. I'm sure they will tell you that it will not do anything to favor their product with their so called "honest opinions" on it. But it actually does, because anytime you receive anything for free in return for your honest feed back of their product will hinder their opinions on it. Why? Because if they give them a bad review, then they won't receive further future products from that company no more. So by giving them a good review, they will ensure future ties with that company for even more business opportunity, maybe even paid for by that company if their channel is big enough or have enough views. Sorry for the long rant, but I feel that people should be aware of these things that's happening in the audiophile world, is you don't need to spent this much money to have a really good sounding system. Companies like these make audiophile products a bad name.
(Edited)
justice_league
14
Nov 5, 2020
All these link's you posted was sent to them for reviews they didn't buy it correct? To be fair, I would like a review unit and have another chance to listen to the WA7 again in the comfort of my home. That way I can give it a fair trial. Is it possible to sent out your WA7 with the upgraded power supply to me? I will give you my credit card info, so you can charge it, and you can refund me when or if I decide to return it. I will correct or change my comment if I find anything that wasn't true about the WA7. Please let me know if that is possible, if so, than send me a private message on my page and I will give you my credit card details. I will give it a fair shake at it. My headphones I be using for reference are the original HD800 and Focal Utopia, and I will be using my own DAC to try out only the amp section and not the DAC of the WA7. That way it'll be solely based on the quality of the amp and not the DAC. The DAC that I be using is Chord Dave and the source will be mostly from Tidal and some Hi-Res flac files. I will record the listening session of it and will upload it on Youtube so everybody can view it.
mensrea
11
Nov 7, 2020
justice_leagueCrickets from Woo Audio. lol
I wouldn’t trust any of those review sites either. Headfonia? You mean like the most notorious industry shills in existence? They basically keep all the gear sent to them for review in exchange for “objective” reviews. Yeah, no thanks. Fireflies are WAY overpriced. Anyone who argues that has an employee number at Woo Audio.
hp4fun
32
Nov 3, 2020
If you just need good sound but not necessarily the DAC, La Figaro 339i is for you. Else this pair is great (do get the tube psu!).
Alltheheadphones
47
Nov 3, 2020
Despite what these other people say, I'm with you. I don't think they fully grasp what you're saying, and if they do, they're buying that snake oil. Even if there is some difference, there's no way it's worth an extra $100, let alone $500
mensrea
11
Nov 6, 2020
... except the fireflies aren’t really made for tube rolling. Rolling different tubes makes zero audible difference. These sound more like solid state amps. Have had these for years and spent hundreds on different tubes. Zero difference. Pretty to look at though and production value is undeniable.
WooAudio
44
Woo Audio
Nov 2, 2020
Hello! DROP members. To clarify, this WA7 is a latest and current model that we are selling at full price on our website. This drop is not to clear out old stock. Don't hesitate to ask if you have questions or concerns. We'll try our best to answer them. ttyl...
Offramp
76
Nov 2, 2020
I think it’s been about two years since last offered may.....be more. I’m temped too.
I said I wouldn’t sleep it twice but where would I put it.
Drop is starting to bring it!
I just hope they bring a quality electrostatic amp next!
Go Drop!!!
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