The Wadia CDP thread

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore 1.) Wadia has a combination of hardwire and software gain controls. For the 830, the hardwire controls are on the inside (I've heard that some of the newer units have the controls on the back???)

I saw the newer ones now have the switches on the back

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore One more advantage: Wadia has been good about providing an upgrade path for their products. I just got home after working 2nd shift, and my newly upgraded unit was waiting for me The 'P' upgrade adds a second power supply board. And one thing experienced headfiers likely already know, power supply is everything, right? I have to say Wadia's a classy company. They returned my unit with a brand new outer box. Thank you Wadia!!!

Yes, very classy.
I was at the Head-Fi meet there last month and I was so impressed that I HAD to get one of their machines. I am also considering adding Wadia to my store.
TR

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alwayswantmore For most headphones, you could get by with retermination to female XLRs. I bought gold plated Neutick for a few bucks each.

Yeah but where's the fun in that?

I've been looking for a good excuse to pull the 225's apart.

 

[Alwayswantmore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd R Hi Kent, I enabled the volume control on my Cary and tried the 650's balanced. It was nice, I picked up some detail and clarity.

Let us know how the soundstage compares between Cary vs. Wadia (when you get the 581). In my rig, expansive soundstage is one of the big pluses.

Got a couple hours on the 'P' upgrade. Comments on this and the next few upgrades to my monster K1000 rig will be posted here... http://www6.head-fi.org/forums/showt...=177590&page=4

 

[Sleestack]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattigol I think it is not exaggerated to say that by and large, people on these boards who auditioned Wadia CDPs, prefer them over over whatever they used before, including Meridian, Cary and other well regarded brands. They seem to simply sound spot-on, detailed, perfectly balanced and extended ad infinitum, have plenty of PRaT, throw a huge soundstage, while most competitors do many things right, but end up having certain (if ever-so-slight) shortcomings. In light of this observation - which of course you are welcome to challenge - which Wadia would represent a sweet spot in terms of price/performance, both new and used?

As nice as the Wadia gear is, I'd take the Esoteric flagships. The P-01/D-01 would or P-03U/D-03 would do nicely. I always regret giving up my D-07. These days I don't even care so much about sources b/c in most of my setups I'm using all digital TACT setups.

 

[Luco]

Wadia may well have a fine line-up of players, but so do a number of other companies, like Esoteric. I think a lot comes down to personal preferences and audition availability with gear like this.

 

[Jon L]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luco Wadia may well have a fine line-up of players, but so do a number of other companies, like Esoteric. I think a lot comes down to personal preferences and audition availability with gear like this.

Sure, P-03 and D-03 combo would be nice. The only problem is the combo costs $23,400. But if one were to spend that kind of money, it sure is nice to know exactly what he's paying for inside. Take a look at the impossibly nice internal pics of the combo here:
http://www.soundstage.com/revequip/esoteric_p03_d03.htm

But to be honest, the curve of diminishing returns kicks in with a vengeance with digital gear. Within Esoteric line, going from their $6000 CDP to $23,000, then even to the P-01/D-01 combo (Gulp!) does NOT give you HUGE improvements corresponding to price. I personally think their DV50 already hit a nice spot on the price: performance curve.

 

[warubozu]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Todd R Yes, very classy. I was at the Head-Fi meet there last month and I was so impressed that I HAD to get one of their machines. I am also considering adding Wadia to my store. TR

Do keep us posted should you decide to carry the Wadia line up.

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Originally Posted by warubozu Do keep us posted should you decide to carry the Wadia line up.

I will, but it will depend on how much interest there is locally.
They don't allow internet sales (unless you don't have a local dealer, then only with permission).
TR

 

[Sleestack]

Anyone own a 581i yet?

 

[thrice]

I have a Wadia 23 and I love it. Are there better players out there....sure. But this one is detailed and musical and I always manage to get my toes tapping. It uses the Pioneer Stable Platter transport and someday a killer external DAC might keep it in service as a transport.

 

[palchiu]

I want upgrade my classic Waida combo(WT3200+X32), 302 will be a nice one? That's hardly to make decision. Any advice?

Thanks for your input!


Pal

 

[YorkeFriend]

Hello Alwayswantmore,

how does your Wadia 830 sound with the new upgrade. I am also a very satisfied Wadia user and I am very interested in the upgrade for my own CDP.

 

[Alwayswantmore]

Quote:

Originally Posted by YorkeFriend Hello Alwayswantmore, how does your Wadia 830 sound with the new upgrade. I am also a very satisfied Wadia user and I am very interested in the upgrade for my own CDP.

Welcome to HeadFi, YorkeFriend. If you've read many of my posts, you already know that I love my Wadia. I use it in many ways: DAC for DVD player; CDP for my K1000 rig (Signature 30); and CDP & Preamp for my 2ch rig (Ayre V3, driven from balanced outputs). All without needing to move a single plug!

As far as the upgrade, honestly the unit was gone for several weeks, and I've made a ton of changes in my system over the past year, so it's really hard for me to give valid input on the upgrade. I'm pretty sure it added detail; and I'm very happy with how my rig(s) sounds.

Here's Wadia's pitch for the upgrade...

"The p Upgrade for the Wadia 830 / 301CD enhances the already stunning sonic capability of these units. Isolated paths are used to separately address and dramatically improve both the digital and the analog power supplies of the main decoding circuit. Reserve capacitance is significantly increased and power line isolation and filtering are both improved by an order of magnitude.

The results – extended low frequency performance, improved micro and macro dynamics, blacker backgrounds, and an expanded soundstage with pinpoint three dimensional images. The p upgrade offers truly exciting improvement at a cost effective price."

The folks at Wadia are very nice, so you may want to call or shoot them an e-mail, they can give you more specifics on what you can expect in your system.

 

[Sleestack]

I went to the local dealer to check out the Wadia pieces. I was very interested in the 581i b/c it has digital inputs.

Anyway, they told me not to buy the new Wadias at this time. They have been having problems with the new units and feel that Wadia doesn't really have things fully figured out yet. They also told me that going to the Wadia (or just about anything else) would be a significant step down from my Esoteric combo... and they aren't even Esoteric dealers.

 

[warubozu]

Did they mention specifically what the problems might be?