Wadia iTransport iPod Dock Gets Bit-Perfect Digital from iPods!

[sk007]

Originally Posted by sk007

For $349, I'd rather it just throw out the video output functions and add in a good DAC/AMP so that we can have an headphone output option. For me Ill prolly never use the video part and $349 for just getting an s/pdif out from an ipod is not exactly justifiable.

although I had to admit that this IS the product I've been long waiting for...

[WindowsX]

Well, it doesn't even sound as good as $300 CD player, really. As you can see that there's no such under $1k cd transport available in market means something about transport's importance.

[fe3836]

Originally Posted by WindowsX

Well, it doesn't even sound as good as $300 CD player, really. As you can see that there's no such under $1k cd transport available in market means something about transport's importance.

Would you share a bit more detail of your experience about it? Which iPod and DAC did you use to test? And which $300 CD player are your comparing it against? What was the sound like, good and bad?

[stevenkelby]

Don't feed the troll

[vcoheda]

has anyone ordered one yet?

[John2e]

Originally Posted by WindowsX

Well, it doesn't even sound as good as $300 CD player, really. As you can see that there's no such under $1k cd transport available in market means something about transport's importance.

Hard to believe. I have the MSB Ilink and it simply blows away any transport I compared it to. EAD, Theta, another EAD and a few High end CD players.

All were sold.

I can not imagine the Wadia being that much different. I am going to order one if I can use it with my 4th gen red wine modded pod. I know I can't use it with the MSB mod.

Any links to someone with stock.....

[HeadphoneAddict]

Now, as I understand it, as long as the Wadia (or any dock) simply has pass though analog audio, you can connect a iMod v-cap dock to the analog outs of the dock, right?

Then you have the choice of iMod with v-cap output, or the Wadia digital out when you switch to your latest Generation iPods, right? Or, does Wadia digital out work with an older 5.5 iPod video?

So, are there any electronics inside the Wadia between the iPod dock connector and the RCA jacks, that could be harmed by the unfiltered DC offset of the iMod?

[JMCIII]

Originally Posted by sk007

For $349, I'd rather it just throw out the video output functions and add in a good DAC/AMP so that we can have an headphone output option. For me Ill prolly never use the video part and $349 for just getting an s/pdif out from an ipod is not exactly justifiable.

You know, we could all probably figure out things WE would have done differently. Me, I'm just glad it's actually here (saw it up close and personal in Montreal last weekend). The fact that Wadia worked with Apple to be able to bypass the iPods cheap internal DAC means that a 160 gig iPod can now become a music server for anyone for less than $900 AND be a portable music system too. Ya gotta love it.

By the way, Soundstage will be getting one for review soon (and no, it's not me), but I've already gone on record as wanting one. This could be the kind of thing that ges my wife (the electronic klutz, I-don't-care-how-it-sounds-as-long-as-it's easy-to-use woman) interested in listening to music again. I'm psyched!!!

[vcoheda]

the design of this thing is not good though. it takes up too much space height wise. the ipod should sink into the unit or be in front.

[HeadphoneAddict]

I have the DLO HomeDock Deluxe and am considering going for the HomeDock HD instead. But, I still don't know which will also work with my iMod and a v-cap dock plugged into the back if I decide to use it.

[Lornecherry]

I just spoke to the Wadia dealer from which I ordered an Itransport and he informed me that the date has been pushed back to end of April/beginning of May ...he said Wadia is adding "some new features" to the iTransport.

The "new features" are propably just quality control issues or salesmen spin for justifying a delay. Anyway, I'm on the list for the first units shipping and will review it once it arrives. I doubt Wadia would endanger their high-end reputation if this thing wasn't a winner though ...and I'm sure some of the moddifications Gods are already invisioning what can be done to further improve the device.

What would we really like to see in addition to this? ... if Apple can license this bit-perfect bypass technology that the Wadia uses to our other botique favorites (Red Wine and the Pico come to mind) ...then a Pico with digital inputs for the DAC section would mean true portable high end (in addition to the Red Wine solution). Perhaps the technophiles could check in on the plausability of this ... in theory, this should be the gateway to exsposing the mass of ipod users to the true high end that is cannot be achieved via IEM phones alone.

[OracleGuy]

Originally Posted by Lornecherry

...then a Pico with digital inputs for the DAC section would mean true portable high end ...

You read my mind!

[jude]

I've had some experience with the Wadia 170 iTransport, but not nearly as much time as I wanted, as Wadia only had a few prototype units for a while, and those few units were in demand by reviewer-types, distributors, dealers, etc.--so I had just several days with it. The time I did spend with the iTransport, however--both at CES and at home--was enough to convince me that it's one of the most significant audiophile products to be released in a while, particularly because hi-fi's death-by-iPod has been predicted by audio enthusiasts since around the time that the iPod became Windows-friendly (which is when its sales went ballistic, and changed the way the world listens to music).

Since returning that early prototype, it has been a painful wait (if you're an audio enthusiast with an iPod, once you use an iTransport, you need one), but I received the call from Wadia yesterday that the final beta units arrived. And, just as before with the early prototypes, I didn't wait even 24 hours before I trucked on over to Wadia to pick it up (that Wadia is within easy driving distance has proven to be a big audiophile blessing for me). I'm at work right now (well, working from Starbucks anyway), and don't have a DAC with me; but I'm dying to get home to use this final beta unit with the MSB Gold Link III / PowerBase. Yes, I have the grueling task of listening to music I love, to help evaluate this final iTransport beta run.

I'll say more about this near-production Wadia 170 iTransport soon, after I've had a chance to actually listen to it. In the meantime, here are some photos (that I snapped right at Wadia's headquarters) of the final beta unit they're letting me use:

The Wadia 170 iTransport beta, wrapped up in bubble wrap.


The Wadia 170 iTransport, sitting atop a larger Wadia piece.


A groovy shot of the Wadia iTransport, showing its cool pointed feet.


The back panel of the Wadia 170 iTransport, showing the various connectors. It's that one labeled “Digital Output” that's of the most importance to me--from there, I will feed nice outboard DACs bit-perfect, lossless recordings from my iPod Classic 160.

[Singapura]

I just hope they'll bring out a portable version. I already have a very nice music server but this thing is too big to carry around.

[John2e]

Does Wadia recommend re-ripping your CD's using error correction. It is suposed to make a significant difference.

When I got my MSB I had to reburn everything. What a PITA.