WA3 Woo Audio Stereo Headphone Amplifier Owner’s Manual

WA3 Woo Audio Stereo Headphone Amplifier Owner’s Manual

Important Safety Information

CAUTION: These amplifiers are shipped without the vacuum tubes installed. It is necessary to install the tubes first. The tubes must be installed correctly or serious damage that is not covered by the warranty will result.

Turn off immediately in the event of malfunction
Should you notice smoke or an unusual smell coming from the equipments, turn it off immediately. Continued operation could result in injury.

Do not disassemble
High voltage circuit. Touching the product’s internal parts could result in injury. In the event of malfunction, the product should be repaired only by a qualified technician.

Keep out of children
Failure to observe this precaution could result in injury

WARNING: Failure to follow these instructions could result in fire, electric shock, or other injury or damage.

Overview

Thank you for choosing a Woo Audio product. The WA3 is finely hand-crafted amplifier that delivers uncompromised performance and superior listening experience.

• Point-to-Point wiring
• One 6AS7 / 6080 [PDF] power tube
• Two 6922 / 6DJ8 [PDF] drive tubes
•  One RCA input
• One pre-amplifier output
• ¼” stereo headphone jack
• Full aluminum die-cast chassis, anodized finish
• Whole aluminum volume knob and power switch button 80 watts specially made toroidal transformer
• Gold-pin tube sockets
• Gold-plate RCA
• Alps potentiometer and power switch
• Rubycon and WIMA capacitors
• Dale and Vishay high precision resistors
• Teflon wires

Quick Installation

What’s in the box?

1. WA3 amplifier
2. One matched pair of 6922/E88CC/6DJ8 driver tubes
3. One 6080 power tube

• The actual tubes may look different.
•  Compatible tubes may be included instead of the ones illustrated above.
• Power cord and interconnection cable are not included.

Installing the power tubes

Note: avoid oil or smudge on the tube glass; clean hands before installation.

1. Find the correct tube for the socket. There is a label below each tube socket that indicates a standard tube for the amplifier. For example, a 6080 tube should install on the “6080” labeling socket. You MUST use the compatible tube or serious damage may occur to the amplifier. See Compatible Tube section for all the approved direct substitute tubes.
2. Align the tube guide pin to the socket as below.
3. Hold the tube base firmly then squeeze it into the socket slowly. Be sure to apply force perpendicular to the tube socket; never insert the tube at an angle. Apply slight rocking motion for the tube, which is harder to insert; never apply circular motion. Apply pressure from the top of the tube if needed.
4. Check installation. The tube pins should be inserted fully into the tube socket receptacles.

Installing driver and rectifier tubes:

Selecting AC voltage:
WARNING: failure to select the correct voltage will result in damage of the amp.

Installing the power cord:
Plug the power cord into the AC inlet. See ① in the below diagram. The AC inlet socket is a standard IEC type. You will need to obtain the correct type for your region.

Installing the source input:
Plug the RCA interconnection cable into the RCA connectors; see ④ in the below diagram.

Back panel diagram:

1. AC voltage selection switch
2. AC inlet
3. RCA pre-amp output. This is an optional feature.
4. RCA input

Operation

DO NOT

• Turn on the amp before properly installing ALL tubes.
• Use tubes that are not approved by Woo Audio.
• Turn on the equipment without checking the correct AC voltage setting.
• Remove any tubes or the DC cord while the amp is operating
• Touch tubes (extremely hot) after warm-up.
• Leave the amps running unattended. To use the amps safely, please allow it to cool down for every 8 hours of continuous play time.

DO

• Place the amp away from any wireless or frequency-emitting devices such as mobile phones, PDAs and radios, to avoid noise interference.
• Keep away from water or excessive moisture.
• Turn off the amp if its sound is abnormal.
• Allow a minimum of 2 inches of air clearance for heat dissipation.
• Allow approximately 5 minutes of warm-up.
• Allow the tubes to cool down before replacing them.

Turning the amplifier on:

1. Turn the volume knob to the lowest position.
2. Insert a headphone into phone jack ①.
3. Press the power switch ③ to a locking position. The LED will light.
4. Observe that all tubes light gradually.
5. Let the tubes warm up for at least 1 minute before turning up the volume.

Front panel diagram:

1. Headphone output
2. Volume control
3. Power switch
4. Power LED indicator

Break-in period

It is recommended to allow the amplifier to operate 150+ hours so that peak performance can be realized. An effective way to break-in the amp is to run the amp normally with music playing. Please do not leave the amp running continuously.

Compatible Tubes

• The most current chart can be found in this document: http://tinyurl.com/4wbv5qn

FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

There is abnormal sound right after turning on the amplifier.
This is normal from a cold start as the tubes are warming up to get into the proper working state. The noise will disappear gradually.

Can I change headphone while the amplifier is on?
Yes, but you must first minimize the volume.

No sound is coming out of the headphone.

• Check that all tubes are properly installed.
• Check that the source is properly installed and is working fine.
• Check that the source switch is on the correct position.
• Check headphone connection.

There is noticeable noise coming from the headphone.

• Remove all sources from the amp to check if the noise disappears. If it does, the noise is coming from the source.
• Place the amp away from other electronic devices to check whether those were causing the noise.
• Place the amp in a different location to check if the noise is coming from the AC line.
• Remove all tubes, clean tube pins, and then reinstall them again.
• Replace some or all tubes.

The sound is abnormal or distorted.
Replace tubes to see if they have deteriorated.

The LED and the tubes do not light.
Check if the fuse is burnt. See the following instruction on how to replace a fuse. The fuse type is 2 or 3A, slo-blo.

Warranty and Service

Woo Audio warrants this product free from defects in materials and workmanship for 1 year from the original date of purchase. The tubes are warranted for 30 days unless otherwise stated. In the event that your Woo Audio product requires servicing, please contact us directly to get a return instruction. If the equipment needs to be shipped back, please use the original packaging and include a copy of the sales purchase along with a detailed explanation of the problem(s).  Send service inquiry to wooaudio@gmail.com

Any modification not authorized by WOO AUDIO will void this warranty.

Reviews

“For the enjoyment of music, the WA3 sits high in its class and is well constructed to boot.” – shigzeo@touchmyapps.com

“Out of the box this is a rewarding and enjoyable auditory experience. The price belies the value you are receiving. This amp is dimensional, tonally very musical, i.e.: as in real music.” – jamato8@head-fi
“Probably one of the best audio buys I’ve ever made and I’ve always been a solid state guy. This amp just makes magic with HD-650’s.” – trek100@AudioReview.com  The most notable difference seemed to be the soundstage, it is HUGE. I can easily tell from what direction all the voices and instruments are coming from now. The vocals (and entire midrange) have superb separation, and seem to carry more weight or “authority”. – 003@head-fi

Product Specification

Woo Audio is committed to continuously improve its products. We reserve the right to improve the design without notice.

©2011 WOO AUDIOtm Inc. All rights reserved.
www.wooaudio.com
Rev 1.1. January, 2013.

WA3 Woo Audio Stereo Headphone Amplifier Owner’s Manual

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