Onkyo Digital Media Transport ND-S1 alternative to Wadia 170 iTransport - Page 4

If that is the case, I will be very disappointed, but it may explain how Onkyo can deliver a significantly cheaper unit than the Wadia - I expect that Apple are charging Wadia a truckload for the chip to bypass the iPod DAC. It would also explain why the What Hi-Fi reviewer claimed that the SQ could be bettered with a budget CD player. I'm not prepared to write the Onkyo off on the basis of a single review, but its clear that I need to hear it alongside the Wadia.

What Hi-Fi are also guarded on the Wadia's capabilities:

Wadia 170 iTransport Dock system review - from the experts at whathifi.com

Perhaps its simply a case of managing our expectations - when I look at the prices on some of the kit they paired the Wadia with, I'm not surprised that the reviewer was underwhelmed. IMO, both transports may well be a better 'fit' for more modest kit - look forward to hearing from those who have one or the other.

Gu Sensei do you know if it's compatible with iPod touch 3G?

compatibility:

Wadia Digital

I was asking about the Onkyo!

Here is the link to the official product page in English. Onkyo ND-S1.

There is a manual pdf that you can download. Should answer most questions.

The remote is the biggest weakness I have identified so far. It really is not that useful for digging through the iPod library. There is no menu button. Once you get into the album that you want, the you can move around and control everything well. But to change albums or artists is impossible through the remote. You really need to use the actual iPod wheel and buttons to navigate your library and tune selection. I do not quite get why these options arent on the remote.

However, it is really a very small issue as I am always sitting within reach of the iPod. If you want to use it in your living room rig and operate it with the remote from your sofa-- it may not work so well for you.

**Just reading up on the Wadia iTransports remote and it looks to have the same limited features as the Onkyo.

I am sorry I keep asking because I think the official data was published before IPod Touch 3G was released.
I was wondering if somebody who has both the Onkyo & an iPod Touch 3G has tried it.

I do not have the Touch 3G.

Thanks, Gu Sensei - this confirms what I've read elsewhere, and its disappointing for a couch potato like myself. I just spent 30 minutes experimenting with a fairly well-known option - controlling iTunes on my Mac Mini using the 'Remote' application from my 1G Touch. If I eventually go down the 'digital transport' route, it will need to sound at least as good as the Mini/Topaz combination and I'd like to think it will be as easy to navigate the library as it is with the Touch 'Remote' : clearly, I may be a little too ambitious on that score.

If I have a criticism of the 'Remote' application, its that the Touch seems to forget that it has made the wireless connection to the iTunes library on the Mini, but it usually reconnects when you wake the Touch back up from sleep - I'll play around in Settings and see if I can improve on this. I know that most have moved on to things like Apple TV/Squeezebox etc, but this is quite workable for a bedroom rig.

Thanks to Cherry Bomb's post about a store in the UK that ships to the USA, I just ordered a black one

http://www.head-fi.org/forums/f7/onk...ml#post6091344

I'm sure it is a true digital output (they would be in deep trouble if they lied about that), but of course I'll test it and compare to my Wadia iTransport.

I am currently running my Wadia iTransport from the 12Vdc SLA battery from from my Isabellina HPA:
Products > Isabellina HPA - Red Wine Audio

I'll have to add a 5V regulator powered by the SLA battery inside the HPA to also allow it to output 5Vdc, which is what the Onkyo ND-S1 runs on).

Once I receive it (not sure how long it'll take to ship to the USA), I'll be sure to report my findings...

All the best,

Vinnie

Awesome news Vinnie. Can't wait to read the review.

ztsen, I take it this thing isn't in the stores in Singapore yet ? I'll be there in mid-December with a fistful of Aussie dollars, but I expect that it will be the proverbial 'fat kid in a candy store' and all over in the first morning's shopping. From that point forward, I just get to traipse down Orchard Road carrying my GFs shopping.

Its OT, but some are tipping the Aussie dollar to be $1.10 US in the near future - given that it was below 80 cents earlier this year (its currently over 92c on xe.com), I am ecstatic. Even the Wadia will come back into the frame at that sort of exchange rate.