Woo Audio WA6-SE User manual

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WOO AUDIO WA6-SE
Single-Ended Class-A Stereo Headphone Amplifier
Owner’s Manual
Please review this manual before operating your WOO AUDIO™ product.

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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.

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Table of Contents
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION 2
TABLE OF CONTENTS 3
OVERVIEW 4
QUICK INSTALLATION 5
OPERATION 9
COMPATIBLE TUBES 11
FAQ - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS 12
WARRANTY AND SERVICE ERROR! BOOKMARK NOT DEFINED.
REVIEWS 14
PRODUCT SPECIFICATION 15

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Overview
Thank you for choosing a Woo Audio product. The WA6-SE is a finely hand-crafted
amplifier that delivers uncompromised performance and superior listening experience.
Point-to-Point wiring
One 5U4G rectifier tube
Two 6DE7 / 6EW7 drive/power tubes
Pseudo-dual power supply
All tubes. No semi-conductors in the entire signal circuitry
High and low impedance headphones outputs
¼" or 6.3mm headphone jack
2 RCA inputs with a input source switch
Individual filter choke per channel
80 watts specially made toroidal power transformer.
Full aluminum die-cast chassis, anodized finish
Whole aluminum volume knob and power switch button
Gold-plate RCA
Alps potentiometer and power switch
Dale and Vishay high precision resistors
Silver coated Teflon tube hook-up wires

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Quick Installation
What’s in the box?
①Amplifier (left) unit and power supply (right) unit
②One matched pair of 6DE7 power tubes
③One 5U4G rectifier tube
④DC cord that connect the PSU and AMP.
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.

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Installing the rectifier tube:
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 5U4G or a compatible
tube should install on the “5U4G” labeling socket. You MUST use the compatible
tube or serious damage may occur to the amplifier. See Compatible Tubes 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.
Tube socket guide pin indicator
Guide pin shows on the
bottom of a tube.
Do no insert a tube at an angle
Insert a tube perpendicular to
the socket.
Hold base firmly.



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.
4. Check installation. The tube pins should be inserted fully into the tube socket
receptacles.
Installing the driver/power tube:
Selecting AC voltage:
WARNING: failure to select the correct voltage will result in damage of the amp.


Switch to label “115” for
AC100 to 125V voltage.
Switch to label “230” for
AC210 to 240V voltage.
Insert the tube
perpendicularly to the
tube socket
Use both hands if the
tube is hard to install
Opening gap indication
on the bottom of the tube
Align the tube to the
tube socket

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Installing the power cord:
Plug the power cord into the AC inlet. See ②in 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 DC cord:
Installing the source input:
Plug the RCA interconnection cable into the RCA connectors, see ⑤in the below diagram. Or,
Back panel diagram:

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

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①Voltage selection switch
②AC Inlet
③DC output
④DC input
⑤RCA
⑥Input selector
U.S.
European
U.K.
Align the mark on the
socket
Align the mark on the
DC cord plug
Slightly push the plug
toward the socket
Turn the ring clockwise
until you hear a clicking
sound

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Operation
DO NOT
oTurn on the amp before properly installing ALL tubes.
oUse tubes that are not approved by Woo Audio.
oTurn on the equipment without checking the correct AC voltage setting.
oRemove any tubes or the DC cord while the amp is operating
oTouch tubes (extremely hot) after warm-up.
oLeave the amps running unattended. To use the amps safely, please allow it to
cool down for every 8 hours of continuous play time.
DO
oPlace the amp away from any wireless or frequency-emitting devices such as mobile
phones, PDAs and radios, to avoid noise interference.
oKeep away from water or excessive moisture.
oTurn off the amp if its sound is abnormal.
oAllow a minimum of 2 inches of air clearance for heat dissipation.
oAllow approximately 5 minutes of warm-up.
oAllow the tubes to cool down before replacing them.

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Turning the amplifier on:
1. Turn the volume knob to the lowest position.
2. Insert a headphone into either HIGH or LOW impedance output.
3. Turn the power switch knob ④from left to right until you hear a click sound. The LED
⑤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High impedance headphone output
②Volume control
③Low impedance headphone output
④Power switch
⑤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.

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Compatible Tubes
 Model#AdapterComment
Driver/Power
6DE7 No
6CY7NoWA6‐SEshippedpriorApril17,2010isnotcompatible.
6EW7No
6EM7YesA8‐pinto9‐pinadapterisneeded.
6DR7NoWA6‐SEshippedpriorApril17,2010isnotcompatible.
6DN7YesA8‐pinto9‐pinadapterisneeded.
6FD7NoWA6‐SEshippedpriorApril17,2010isnotcompatible.
6SN7YesForWA6only.A8‐pinto9‐pinadapterisneeded.
5692YesForWA6only.A8‐pinto9‐pinadapterisneeded.
Rectifier
5U4G NoDirectlyHeated
274AYesDirectlyHeated,a4‐pinto8‐pinadapterisneeded.
274BNoDirectlyHeated
53KUNoDirectlyHeated
5AR4NoIndirectlyHeated
5AS4NoDirectlyHeated
5Z4NoIndirectlyHeated
5R4 NoDirectlyHeated
5U3CNoDirectlyHeated
5V4/G/GANoDirectlyHeated
5Y3NoDirectlyHeated
5Z3YesDirectlyHeated,a8‐pinto8‐pinadapterisneeded.
GZ30NoIndirectlyHeated
GZ32NoIndirectlyHeated
GZ33NoIndirectlyHeated
GZ34NoIndirectlyHeated
GZ37NoIndirectlyHeated
CV378NoIndirectlyHeated
U52NoIndirectlyHeated
U54NoDirectlyHeated
* The most current chart can be found in this document:
http://tinyurl.com/4wbv5qn

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Can I plug in 2 or more headphones at the same time?
Yes, there is no harm to the amp. However, sound quality may be degraded.
Do I have to use the correct impedance setting for my headphone?
No, you can use any setting for any headphone as long as you feel the output sounds the
best for you. Impedance matching provides the amp to work at the highest efficiency.
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.
oCheck that all tubes are properly installed.
oCheck that the source is properly installed and is working fine.
oCheck that the source switch is on the correct position.
oCheck headphone connection.
There is noticeable noise coming from the headphone.
oRemove all sources from the amp to check if the noise disappears.
oPlace the amp away from other electronic devices to check whether those
equipments are causing the noise.
oPlace the amp in a different location to check if the noise is coming from the AC line.
oRemove all tubes, clean tube pins, and then reinstall them again.
oReplace 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 on how to replace a fuse. The fuse type is 2
or 3A, slow-blow.


Insert a small flat
screwdriver into
the fuse door
which located on
the AC inlet.
Release the fuse
door by pulling it
out.
The fuse holder is
released from the
AC inlet.
The fuse is held by
a clip.


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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 [e-mail]
Any modification not authorized by WOO AUDIO will void this warranty.

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Reviews
“For a roughly $1,600 total investment (including Sennheiser HD600s, upgrade cable,
Sophia 274B, and some spare tubes), we were getting sound and emotion equivalent to
spending $90,000 on an Ongaku along with the kind of speakers you'd normally pair
it with.” – GalibierDesign
“If you want valves through and through, with admirable performance to boot, this
system's well worth considering.” – Crave
“The WA6SE packs a punch. It just screams power. It displayed excellent dynamics
and a very deep and tight bass.” –Orcin@Head-Fi
“Affordable ultra high-end headphone amplifier. The Woo Audio WA6 Special Edition
headphone amp is built to Ferrari levels of quality and performance.” – Audiophilia
CNET
“First, the HD650 does not have a veil. Second, dynamic range has suddenly gone to
nuclear-powered levels. Third, instrument locations are now incredibly precise.
Fourth, bass has now acquired an effortless quality of power. Fifth, I no longer feel the
need to crank the volume to hear details. Finally, there is a musicality to this WA6SE-
HD650 combination that has got me rocking to recordings that I had lost sight of why
I bought in the first place. This is the good stuff for sure.” – rangen@Head-Fi
“The excellent resolution and fabulous midrange that is characteristic of the amp, as
well as precise and stable imaging were all present and accounted for, so you couldn't
say the sound was broken, and it might even be exactly your cup of tea.” –
Carl@Head-Fi

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Product Specification
Model: WA6-SE
Headphones Impedance: 8-600 Ohms
Input Impedance: 100 Kilo-Ohms
Frequency Response: 15 Hz - 40 KHz, -3dB
Power Output: 2000mW @32Ω
1900mW @60Ω
1800mW @120Ω
1300mW @300Ω
800mW @600Ω(with 6CY7 tube)
Signal/Noise: 93 dB
THD: <= 0.3%
Voltage: AC 110/220 - 240V, 50/60 Hz, switchable
External Dimension, end to end
measurement, same for both units:
6" (H) x 5.5 (W) x 13" (D)
Weight (AMP & PSU): 22 pounds or 10 kg
Woo Audio is committed to continuously improve its products. We reserve
the right to improve the design without notice.