Wadia 121 decoding computer

[bixby]

Quote:

 
Of course you can adjust the volume. What you cannot adjust for headphones is the "Optimizing the Output Level" (Pg 19 & 20 of the manual) This apparently is only for the line outputs on the rear.
 
"Optimizing the Output Level
Best performance is obtained when operating the Wadia 121Decoding Computer
Volume Control near the top of its range. If needed, the maximum output level
of your Wadia 121Decoding Computer can be adjusted to match the overall sensitivity
of your system so that critical listening will take place with the volume
control operating near the top of its range. Critical listening should be done when
the 4th or higher LED is lit. The maximum out level of the Wadia 121Decoding
Computer is adjustable by means of a series of IR commands issued from the
Wadia remote control. The Wadia 121Decoding Computer output level is factory
set to accommodate the most common range of system sensitivity. If you find
that your typical volume level during critical listening is below the 3rd LED on
the LED display, it will be advantageous to use a different setting"

got it, system gain type adjustment, thanks

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

I did a demo of the Wadia 121 at a dealer with my Ultimate Ears Reference Monitors (UERMs).  I heard the same electronic noise/hash with the UERMs as others have described with the JH16s.  It was simply unacceptable and I left disappointed in the Wadia.  It seems to be inappropriate for high sensitivity/low impedance IEMs.
 

 


Once they get mine fixed I'll let you know.
It's really a killer good sounding unit, and if I didn't have any 16 ohm phones, I would have never noticed any noise.

 

[gregeas]

Keep in mind that you can adjust the output sensitivity for the headphone jack as well as for the RCAs/XLRs. 
 
I've been running the 121 constantly for 10 days or so now, and I'm really liking what I'm hearing with the Senn HD-700s. Totally black background and very nice detail, esp with high-res files. My JH-16s will continue to be for portable use. 

 

[ZenErik]

Wadia STILL has my DAC... :/ 

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Wadia STILL has my DAC... :/ 

How long has it been? I know they took most of last week off, but I'm going to call them today & see if they can tell me anything.
 
I just spoke to them.
Engineering is still working on a fix for the noise issue, but he could not tell me if they were close to fixing it or not. He offered to send my unit back if I wanted to have it home until they found a solution. Not sure if I want to do that, or just give it another week.

 

[ZenErik]

Thanks for the info.
 
I wish I could just get a refund at this point. But Moon Audio said that I had to send it to Wadia to even potentially get a refund. And it's been at Wadia for over 3 weeks now, I believe. Maybe 4.
 
It could just be a design issue with all Wadia 121 units. In which case it may NEVER be fixed. Or maybe it will on some sort of revision. But uhh.. how about my $1300 back?

 

[longbowbbs]

What seems to have failed?

 

[ZenErik]

Heh. Just tried to e-mail Wadia today, but my emails failed to send. Guess it's about time for a call.

 

[longbowbbs]

Any Wadia 121 owners who have also spent time with a Wyred 4 Sound DAC2?  I am curious as to someones perspective on this. Thanks!

 

[ZenErik]

Meh. Called Wadia a few days ago. No answer. Left message. No call back. 
 
E-mails to service and sales both fail. And the person I had been e-mailing @ Wadia hasn't responded in 3 weeks.

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Meh. Called Wadia a few days ago. No answer. Left message. No call back. 
 
E-mails to service and sales both fail. And the person I had been e-mailing @ Wadia hasn't responded in 3 weeks.
 
This is a reputable company?

 
Did you try the number I gave you? I always get through. 
 
FYI, I've lost patience with Wadia.
I bought my unit from TTVJ and he has a 30 day return policy. Since the unit is already "returned" to where it came from, he's going to get me the Bel Canto 1.5 instead. 

 

[bixby]

Let us know how you like the Bel Canto dac.  I have had two of their amps and love the stuff.  They always treat you right at headquarters as well.  Class act.

 

[ZenErik]

Looks like I will likely be getting a Grace m903. Getting refunded on the Wadia 121. Shame because the Wadia 121 is a very nice sounding DAC.

 

[bixby]

The Grace 903 got a nice polite review over at Computer Audiophile

 

[Todd R]

Quote:

Looks like I will likely be getting a Grace m903. Getting refunded on the Wadia 121. Shame because the Wadia 121 is a very nice sounding DAC.

 
Did you get your Grace yet?
I got the Bel Canto yesterday afternoon. 
VERY early impressions: First word that comes to mind is "pretty".
Sweet, smooth, musical. May be a touch soft on dynamics, but I'm not sure if that's due to the DAC or the headphone amp. The headphone amp section isn't super powerful. It will run the Hifiman HE-500 but at max volume it's just up to my normal listening level. The Denon 5K do ok with it as do my JH Audio 16's. It is quiet and works very nicely. The interesting thing is it doesn't clip or run out of power at max volume, it just gets to 100 and that's as far as it goes. 
 
I'm going to take it's outputs to my Bottlehead amp tonight & see if I can get a better handle on how it sounds as a stand alone DAC.