Woo Audio Launches a New WA24 20th Anniversary Flagship Amp
Things are starting to gear up for the holidays, and nothing says HoHoHo like a big, shiny tube amplifier. Woo Audio just unveiled their latest flagship for a stereo desktop headphone amplifier (the biggest overall is still the WA234 monos) called the Woo Audio WA24 20th Anniversary edition. It draws a significant amount of inspiration from the WA23 Luna, and builds upon the design elements that include a very high end Alps Alpine RK50 potentiometer.
In addition to the class A topography with direct-heated single triode vacuum tubes in parallel, the WA24 20th Anniversary features a whole new piece of tech Woo is calling their in-house developed step-up driver.
From the website:
“The WA24 introduces a groundbreaking innovation: the in-house developed STEP-UP Driver. This precision step-up transformer, built with a nano-crystalline core and oxygen-free copper wiring, redefines amplification. By replacing traditional active drivers, such as vacuum tubes or transistors, it simplifies the circuit, reduces interference, and dramatically enhances performance. The two-tier chassis, precision-machined from a single block of high-grade aluminum, balances modern elegance with timeless craftsmanship. Each element is methodically designed for both form and function, with an individually shielded enclosure that minimizes internal electrical noise and microphonics. The result is an extraordinarily low noise floor, making the WA24 one of the quietest and most refined vacuum tube amplifiers ever created.”
Woo audio has been a mainstay in personal audio for many years (20 exactly), and was one of the early brands to offer heavy duty tube amplifiers for headphones. The fact that they have been able to withstand the hurdles of a challenging marketplace in such a niche is a testament to their appeal to consumers. As their buyers have grown, so have the amps. But they have always offered a reasonable range for beginners to the high-end, in lieu of just heading what ever direction delivers the most margin. If the new WA24 isn’t in your budget currently, I suggest you check out WA6 (Gen 2), its a tank.
More info: Woo Audio WA24 20th Anniversary Headphone Amplifier