Just when I thought we’d seen it all when it comes to dongle DACs, Woo Audio pulls a rabbit out of the hat with their TUBE mini Balanced Headphone Amplifier / DAC. Yes, a portable pocket-sized Headphone Amp/DAC avec vacuum tubes.
I’m thinking the same thing—don’t tubes run hot? And tubes don’t like to be jostled so what gives? While the Woo website is shy on specifics, this is a hybrid design pairing the warm sound of vacuum tubes and the superpower of MOSFET amplification for an effortless sound that comes alive with full-sized headphones. And I know, for sure, that Woo knows more about these matters than I do. As far as the jostling bit goes, the pair of tubes reside in a spring-loaded suspension system to keep them jostle free.
Digital to analog duties come courtesy of an ESS SABRE DAC that supports up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM and up to DSD256 (11.2MHz).
Highlights (from Woo Audio)
- Introduced in July 2023
- Balanced headphone amplifier and DAC
- Recommended for use with full-size or power demanding headphones
- Outputs: 4.4mm balanced ‘Pentaconn’ or 3.5mm unbalanced
- ESS SABRE Audiophile DAC up to 24-bit/384kHz PCM, and up to DSD256 (11.2MHz)
- USB bus-powered, Plug and play
- Compatible with Apple, Android, Mac and Windows computers with USB or USB-C / Thunderbolt 3 input
- Two vacuum tubes [one per channel]
- Maximum power output: 1W @ 8 Ohms
- Frequency response (amp): 20 Hz – 46 kHz (-3dB), signal to noise ratio: 100dB
- Anodized aluminum chassis
- Available colors: black, silver, blue, and red
- Dimensions (W, H, D): 107mm x 35mm x 7mm, Weight: 49g
- Designed and assembled in New York, USA
- Three-year limited warranty
IMPORTANT NOTICE: cannot convert unbalanced to balanced, do not use headphones adapter to convert 6.3 / 3.5mm –> 4.4mm.
The TUBE mini will run you $499 and is available directly from Woo.
Company Website: Woo Audio