For 7 Grand Can You Understand The Background Chatter On Dark Side Of The Moon?

Whilst mixing a record, from time to time, I will throw something in there for the “headphone crowd”. A little piece of audio, Sarah Lee banana cake that you probably won’t hear on your car system or iPod but, does show up under the close inspection of some quality cans.

The headphone crowd is always looking for a little more.

We’ve seen some audiophile tube amp set-ups in the past but this one, coming in at just under $7,000 takes the headphone thing to the next level.

Woo Audio WES headphone amplifier ($4,500) and Stax SR-007Mk2 headphone ($2,410).

The Woo WES is an all-triode tube drive, fully balanced design; the prototype unit I’m reviewing has a total of 10 tubes (four EL34 power tubes, four 6SL7 drive tubes, and two 5AR4 rectifier tubes), but production models will have 11 tubes. It works with Stax and Sennheiser electrostatic headphones only. The machined, all-metal dual chassis is beautifully crafted.

The WES, like all Woo amps, was designed by Wei Wu, and handcrafted in Woo Audio’s factory in New York City. Each WES will be built to order over a four-day period; it’s slated for release in October 2009. The preintroduction price is $4,500, and full retail is expected to be $4,990.

-Steve Guttenberg, CNET

Know what? The last one of these headphone amps we looked at, from Cary Audio Design, was loaded wit 6L6s. This little gem has EL34s; I wonder if the Woo sounds more “British”.