WooAudio WA11 Topaz Headphone Amplifier

$5,000

Compatible with Apple iPhone/iPad, Android devices, Mac and Windows computers
Fully-balanced design, battery-operated, solid state, Class-A headphone amplifier and DAC
High power, high bandwidth amplifier
Maximum power output: 1.2W @ 30 Ohms, 350mW @ 100 Ohms, 120mW @ 300 Ohms
Hi-Res music playback up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM, up to DSD128 support via DoP playback
Premium TKD 4-channel balanced potentiometer
User selectable HI or LO power level output
User selectable DAC or 4.4mm analog Line-in
Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, up to 6 hrs. of continuous music playback*
Anodized aluminum chassis available in black
Soft Alcantara back and carrying pouch

Overview

Name: WooAudio WA11 Topaz Headphone Amplifier
Brand: WooAudio
SKU: 5733
Availability: InStock

It all started when we were developing the WA8 Eclipse. We learned that in order to reduce the size greatly, it needs to be with transistors. Introducing the WA11, an ultra-compact high-performance headphone amplifier and DAC. Over the course of 3-years of intensive research and 9 working prototypes deployed in real-world applications. WA11 delivers an audiophile sound quality that rivals many desktop systems and with the features users dream of.

Weighing at 413g and 24mm thick, the WA11 Topaz is a battery-powered, fully-balanced headphone amplifier and DAC running in a Class-A topology. It is capable of driving the most demanding full-size headphones while maintaining an ultra-low noise floor for reference in-ear monitors. The DAC is an ESS Sabre capable of decoding PCM up to 24-bit/384kHz and up to DSD128. There is also a 4.4mm balanced input for use with balanced sources such as a modern digital-audio-player (DAP), home CD player or DAC

The future is USB Type-C port. And WA11 Topaz has two of them – one for data, one for charging (USB 2.0 compliant). Separating the two allows the user to listen and recharge the internal battery simultaneously. This feature extends the industry leading 7 hrs. of playtime immensely.

The performance and usage flexibility of WA11 will change the way we enjoy music and opens a new world for what a Hi-Fi system should be.

*Specifications and appearance are subject to change in production unit without notice.

Highlights

Compatible with Apple iPhone/iPad, Android devices, Mac and Windows computers, how-to video LEARN MORE
Fully-balanced design, battery-operated, solid state, Class-A headphone amplifier and DAC
High power, high bandwidth amplifier
Maximum power output: 1.2W @ 30 Ohms, 350mW @ 100 Ohms, 120mW @ 300 Ohms
Frequency response: 10 Hz to 200 kHz (-1 dB), signal to noise ratio: 118dB
Output impedance: 1Ω on both headphone outputs
ESS SABRE Reference DAC, XMOS xCORE-AUDIO asynchronous clocking
Hi-Res music playback up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM, up to DSD128 support via DoP playback
Premium TKD 4-channel balanced potentiometer
Output: 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced, 1/4″ TRS unbalanced for use with full-size headphones
Input: 4.4mm Pentaconn balanced, Asynchronous Hi-Speed USB Type-C port [data] and USB Type-C port [charge] (USB 2.0 compliant)
User selectable HI or LO power level output
User selectable DAC or 4.4mm analog Line-in
Rechargeable Lithium-ion battery, up to 6 hrs. of continuous music playback*
Anodized aluminum chassis available in black
Soft Alcantara back and carrying pouch
Dimensions (W, H, D): 155 x 85 x 27mm / 6.1 x 3.3 x 1 inches
Weight: 426g / 0.93 lbs.
Global 100v–240v USB-C charger with detachable AC plug (U.K., EU. Australia)

*Specifications and appearance are subject to change for improvement without notice.

The WA11 Topaz is a Class A headphone amplifier – a type of amplifier that sacrifices efficiency for low distortion. It has a bit more grunt than other headphone amps, outputting 1.2 watts of power at 30 ohms. For comparison, the tank-like Pathos Aurium only outputs 1.8 watts despite its significantly larger footprint. That means that the WA11 Topaz is capable of powering just about any pair of headphones you can think of, and we tested it on every pair we could find. It handled demanding headphones, like the Beyerdynamic DT 880s, without breaking a sweat. Big planar magnetic headphones held no fear for it. And for a battery-powered amp, the WA11 Topaz performed exceptionally well no matter what we plugged into it.