Wadia iTransport & CI Audio Power Supply
Mar 15, 2009 at 12:23 AM Post #61 of 70
My I suggest comparing the iTransport with the CI and the stock supply (which I suppose you still have)?! The idea is to try to identify the benefits. Is the modded iTransport with the original supply better than the standard one and what improvements are to be expected in your setup from the addition of the CI supply?
 
Mar 15, 2009 at 10:14 AM Post #62 of 70
Quote:

Originally Posted by revenge /img/forum/go_quote.gif
My I suggest comparing the iTransport with the CI and the stock supply (which I suppose you still have)?! The idea is to try to identify the benefits. Is the modded iTransport with the original supply better than the standard one and what improvements are to be expected in your setup from the addition of the CI supply?


Agreed. But I need to find the time for this. One issue. The original power supply does contaminate also the other equipment parts. Hard to find out which effects this has.
 
Mar 15, 2009 at 10:36 AM Post #63 of 70
No problem, take your time. We're not going anywhere
popcorn.gif
 
Mar 17, 2009 at 3:26 PM Post #64 of 70
Would using a DAC like Benchmark's which is supposed to be really good at negating impact of jitter be a better solution to addressing the jitter problem on the Wadia?

I wasn't really into hifi before (just head-fi) and I do like the common iPod connection that works in all the context that I need an audio source... with my headfi gear on business trips, in my car with an iPod dock and just docking it on the Wadia when I get home.

So far with the Benchmark DAC1 Pre and Quad606 power amp driving the B&W 601S2s, I have had no complaints. Music is far more detailed than using the iMod with a set of matched Sonicaps 8.2uF with platinum bypass integrated into the dock feeding the analog line in of the pre-amp.

Here's a review that made me decide to look at the Benchmark in the first place

Benchmark Media DAC1 PRE You could spend more, yet doubt you can find one that performs better. Review By Clarke Robinson

Quote:

Of course, one of the great strengths of the DAC1 PRE and it's much-lauded jitter-rejection circuitry is not how great it sounds when used with a $1000 transport, but how great it sounds with a $100 (or less) transport. To test this, I connected the DAC1 PRE to a 15-year-old CD-ROM drive that I picked up on eBay for around $7 (an NEC MultiSpin 6xe, which happens to have a coaxial digital output built-in), and used a coat hanger for a digital interconnect. Seriously...a coat hanger. Anyway, I settled in for an afternoon of comparing this rather Mickey-Mouse setup to the Marantz/DAC1 combo. It only took a few tracks to realize that trying to find audible differences here was going to be as pointless as it was trying find them between the DAC1 PRE and the solo Marantz. I opted instead to spend the day enjoying a broad range of gorgeous, non-fatiguing, compellingly presented music, courtesy my $7 transport/coat hanger/DAC1 PRE combo, with all the dynamics, clarity of focus and inner detail that I had grown to expect from the Benchmark. Due to the unscientific nature of this "test", I can't guarantee that transport quality makes no difference to the sound of the DAC1 PRE, but I can say that it makes perfectly enjoyable, engaging music being driven by just about anything.


A coat hanger! :p
 
Mar 18, 2009 at 2:32 PM Post #65 of 70
Ive played my wadia dock through an audio-note 1-1x sig dac with and without a monarchy audio upsampler (set to 48) de-jitterer between them and with the MA the SQ is much better. Not terrible without it but much smoother, more stable, more together with it. (Im not good at describing sound; I just know if it is better -to me- and consistently better.)
 
Mar 19, 2009 at 2:49 AM Post #66 of 70
It's good to know the MA upsampler does some good. It seems to be one of the least expensive ways to de-jitter the Wadia.

I have looked at these alternatives:
  • ASI modded iTransport starting at $325 for D-clock.
  • Pacecar 2 with Superclock 4 at $1800 plus shipping (Way too high for me).
  • Monarchy Audio Upsampler at $299. I wonder what clock is used.
  • Wondering how hard it would be to add D-clock, Superclock 4, or such, myself.

I am also considering the CIA power supply.
 
Mar 19, 2009 at 5:14 AM Post #67 of 70
The biggest problem is the choice of the USB to SPDIF chip itself. It is not exactly a true "Hi-Fi" component, but it is easy to deal with since it can run asynchronously without any effort on the part of the developers. Some people have reported good results by inserting a "Masterclock", but personally I think that the Chip should be changed and the thing re-designed or a dock that does apple authentication with outputs like USB for people like us to change for a nice USB DAC or USB-SPDIF converter.

Maybe that is just me.
 
Mar 19, 2009 at 11:07 AM Post #68 of 70
Just picked up the CI PSU for Wadia today from a local dealer.

I have a conference call to attend now so couldn't give it a long audition, but first impressions seems that bass is even punchier than before. I know this cos I had complained that my B&W 601S2s were too bassy so I had to stuff the port to reduce the bass, but after adding the PSU, the bass seems more prominent than before. Seemed to be clearer overall too. Able to discern more of the layers and instruments in my usual playlist.

This is going to be a long concall, but would probably do an A:B comparison with the standard PSU sometime tomorrow...
 
Mar 19, 2009 at 4:16 PM Post #69 of 70
It's just past midnight but couldn't resist sneaking in the A:B comparison.

I played at moderate levels with the speakers and then swapped the power cables and repeated the track (the one I go to sleep listening almost every night). There wasn't a night and day difference but there was definitely more clarity, slightly better bass extension and just a bit more "air" in the highs.

Concerned it may be the rig that was the limiting factor, I took out my Alessandro MS-Pro and hooked up to the Benchmark's headphone output. And the nuances were more apparent since I was now closer to my usual listening levels.

Speaking of which, I really really really like the Benchmark with Alessandro combo. With the Lisa III XP, the MS Pro provided a warmer sound but I do love the neutrality the Benchmark imparted into the MS Pro... able to get a lot more bass information and a lot more clarity and the vocals remained just as sweet.
 
Apr 4, 2009 at 11:35 PM Post #70 of 70
Quote:

Originally Posted by noshortcuts /img/forum/go_quote.gif
It's good to know the MA upsampler does some good. It seems to be one of the least expensive ways to de-jitter the Wadia.

I have looked at these alternatives:
  • ASI modded iTransport starting at $325 for D-clock.
  • Pacecar 2 with Superclock 4 at $1800 plus shipping (Way too high for me).
  • Monarchy Audio Upsampler at $299. I wonder what clock is used.
  • Wondering how hard it would be to add D-clock, Superclock 4, or such, myself.

I am also considering the CIA power supply.


I ended up going a different route. I've ordered one of the last TADACs. It is a tube DAC that re-clocks the incoming source. It gets great reviews and was a very great price. However, Paul G. has decided to stop making these and they are gone now. However, he plans to sell a larger one with more digital inputs in the near future. I'll let you know how it sounds and works with my system when I can.
 
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