Any Wadia CD Player Owners round here ?

[wolf66]

Just would like to have some feedback on Wadia players.
I have the Wadia 830 for about two years now and I find it sounds fantastic all the way !

Could anyone comment on their bigger models like the 850 or simply just post their experience with other models ?

I went from Yamaha CDP 993, Sony 777 ES ( no wonder so many members here complain about digital sounding CDs, but it's these Sony players who are to blame mostly IME ..), NAD 541i and Creek CD 50 to Wadia and what a difference that was ....:agree:

[JayB]

While I'm a Naim guy, Wadia makes some fantastic players. I've enjoyed the one's I've heard. If your looking for a new Wadia I would simply say, buy the best model you can afford.

Sorry I can't be more specific about a particular model..

[Claus]

They build excellent CD players... can't go wrong with Wadia. Sound quality is top!!!!!!!!!

[YorkeS9]

I have the 830 too. There is the new p-upgrade available. You need a good power cable, I use Aural Symphonics. But no additional line filter, it will kill dynamics. And for the IMHO really bad chassis some good feet. I recommend Black Diamond Racing Cones, Ensemble Honeyplate or Shun Mook Diamond Resonators.

For a really good upgrade you have to buy a newer 861 model or one of the current models. The 850 and 860 versions are not interesting for a 830 owner.

Have a look here: http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=185080&page=2&highlight=wadia

[mcow1]

I have a friend who has a Wadia 301. I haven't heard it, but he likes the sound better than his Linn LP12.

[bhazen]

I have a friend who has a Wadia 301. I haven't heard it, but he likes the sound better than his Linn LP12.

:bigeek: That's a strong statement!

Anyone here comment on how the Wadia players compare to Ayre, particular in the area of imaging and ambience retrieval?

[AudiophilePhil]

Wadia CD players (791, 581, 302) are among the very best sounding CD players you can find in the market.
They are in the same class or level as the Audio Research Reference CD7 and Meridian Reference 808i.

[wolf66]

I have the 830 too. There is the new p-upgrade available. You need a good power cable, I use Aural Symphonics. But no additional line filter, it will kill dynamics. And for the IMHO really bad chassis some good feet. I recommend Black Diamond Racing Cones, Ensemble Honeyplate or Shun Mook Diamond Resonators.

For a really good upgrade you have to buy a newer 861 model or one of the current models. The 850 and 860 versions are not interesting for a 830 owner.

Have a look here: http://www4.head-fi.org/forums/showthread.php?t=185080&page=2&highlight=wadia



Hi Dirk

Thanks for your post, nice to hear from fellow "Wadians" :)

I agree with the chassis, I put Sorbothan blocks under it. Did you get the Power Upgrade and is it worth it ?
I suppose you use the Wadia PreAmp and plugged in the ASR Emitter directly ?
I like the sound of the MacIntosh Pre a little better and it is easier to have the volume adjusted, because of the need to have the Wadia volume near the top end, it is difficult to find the right combination with those internal switches that control the output signal strength. What is your setting there ? There is a huge difference in volume between a 80s mastered CD and a recently mastered CD - I found it almost impossible to find the balance there to drive the Mac PA and I may be one of the few, who don't use the Wadias built in PreAmp.
How long do you own your Wadia and do you think it does need some kind of service or only when something breaks down, which thankfully didn't happen >knock on wood<
The one thing I really hate is, that they didn't put those output switches some place you could adjust them without having to unscrew innumerable little screws :realmad:
But the Sound is heavenly sweet !! :edthumbs:

[wolf66]

:bigeek: That's a strong statement!


But I think it is not far from the truth. Although I currently don't have a turntable and vinyl anymore, I had a large collection of LPs and a Thorens TT myself not so long ago. After listening to vinyl with my friends' systems, I come home to the Wadia and don't feel I'm missing out on something. My friends told me the same, but they wanna stick to their huge amounts of vinyl instead of having to buy all the stuff over again on CD, which makes sense.
Wadia for me brings back the sound of vinyl without the drawbacks.
I love it :love:

[wolf66]

I have a friend who has a Wadia 301. I haven't heard it, but he likes the sound better than his Linn LP12.

I never heard the newer Wadias - too expensive for me anyway. My 830 did cost $ 1300 bought from Ebay - excellent investment IMHO

You should try listen to your friends 301 some time and report back :agree:

[TONEPUB]

I currently own the 581, which will be upgraded to the 781 as soon as it is available. Very happy with the sound. Have spent a lot of time listening to the Meridian 808 (in for review) and the Metronome CD-3i signature (just got done reviewing) and the Wadia definitely holds its own at about 4-6000 dollars less.

The Metronome is a bit more analog sounding and the Meridian has a bit more air, but the Wadia has deeper bass and perhaps a bit more weight and dynamics. Again, splitting hairs, all three are very good.

Wadia has always made great stuff. Should you want to take yours to the next level, talk to Steve Huntley at Great Northern Sound (www.greatnorthernsound.com) Steve used to be one of the factory techs at Wadia and does a fantastic job at modding them to increase performance.

Tell him the folks at TONE-Audio sent you, he'll take good care of you should you decide to go down that path!

1300 for a used one is a great deal!!

Enjoy

[bhazen]

But I think it is not far from the truth. Although I currently don't have a turntable and vinyl anymore, I had a large collection of LPs and a Thorens TT myself not so long ago. After listening to vinyl with my friends' systems, I come home to the Wadia and don't feel I'm missing out on something. My friends told me the same, but they wanna stick to their huge amounts of vinyl instead of having to buy all the stuff over again on CD, which makes sense.
Wadia for me brings back the sound of vinyl without the drawbacks.
I love it :love:

I've always given lip-service to the notion that CD can never quite equal the sound of top-quality vinyl playback, due to Redbook restrictions(?); however, I am a CD guy (Naim CD5X, no turntable). So, it's good to know I've got CD players to aspire to owning, that aren't too expensive.

Cheers,
Bruce

[YorkeS9]

I have the 830 for a long time. I bought it when Naim released the CDX, dont remember the exact year. I do not use the Wadia Volume Control, I use the integreated amp for volume control. And I use the cinch outputs. My Emitter does not have the XLR-inputs and it is to complicated to upgrade them. I also have a disc mat with C37-lacquer fixed to the platter, but I do not know the sonic effect of the mat. I can not take it off. Is any service necesssary? I do not know. I am still looking for any information about the p-upgrade. I have to get the price first. I do not want to invest a lot of money in such an old unit.

[bhazen]

So: what's an entry-level Wadia player gp for? Should I consider getting one used?

[bhazen]

So: what's an entry-level Wadia player gp for? Should I consider getting one used?

I meant, shouldn't one consider getting one used. I'm not in the market.

No, not me.:D

[TONEPUB]

I have the 581 and it is very good. Not quite in the same league as the Meridian 808 but excellent and very good for the price.

Used Wadias are a great value, because some of them can have their software updated and the casework is fantastic. You could even use an
older Wadia as a transport and get a different DAC.

Been very happy with mine and the guys at Wadia are always great to deal with!

[bhazen]

How do the two players compare in the ambience retrieval/soundstage game?

[TONEPUB]

The 808 is more refined. Less grainy than the 581, more neutral. Less digital sounding, less fatiguing.

Don't get me wrong the 581 is still a fantastic player.... Im just terribly spoiled after listening to a lot of fantastic digital this last year.

The Metronome that Steve has is even more analog sounding than the 808.

It's really dependent on what sound you prefer. To me, the 808 is right in the middle, with the Wadia being a bit more audiophile sounding and the Metronome a bit more analog sounding (not neccessarily rolled off)

All three of these players are fantastic and depending on your system, cables and preferences would be great.

I can tell you this much, each of those three players are way better than the stuff in the 3-4k range....

I still feel that the Meridian has the highest level of resolution, combined with the most neutral tonality and the most dynamics. I would suggest anyone try and hear all of these and perhaps a few others. The Vinyl Anachronist has the mid level Naim that with the updated power supply is in that price range. It is also excellent as is the Aurum Acoustics CDP.

We haven't heard the one box Meitner yet or the Esoteric and I've heard great things as well.

I really think buying a mega CD player is a very personal thing. It's just like buying a five figure turntable. One guy will like SME, another will like VPI and another will want a Simon Yorke or something else.

All that matters when making this kind of purchase is that you like the final mix. At that level they are all very good...

[bhazen]

Thanks Jeff - this gives me a lot to think about. I know nothing about the Metronome or the others, so I've got some learnin' to do.

What's an 808 go for? Based on your description I'm betting five figures...

[TONEPUB]

Well, that's the bad news, the 808 is 13k. The Wadia 581 is only (!#$!)$7k for the 581 and I believe $8500 for the 581i, which has digital ins and outs in case you wanted to use it as a DAC too...

The Wadia does SACD and CD, The Meridian does DVD-a and CD. I wish they both made a player that did all three!!!

That's why Im really intrigued with the Esoteric for 6k, it does it all.....

[bhazen]

I've got the Naim CD5X which I love for its sheer musical/rhythmic drive; what I've read about the Wadia stuff makes me believe that it has that as well as more sort of 3-D space, detail and ambience retrieval, too.

Hence my interest.

[TONEPUB]

The Naim is an excellent player as well. Do you have the addl. power supply? Might want to give it a try if you don't, I suspect it would put you very close to what the Wadia has to offer. I've listened to Marc's CD5X and my Wadia a lot, but not together in the same system and I think they are more alike sonically than different.

Give that power supply a try (if you don't already have it) before you jump ship, you might be really surprised.

[TONEPUB]

Just would like to have some feedback on Wadia players.
I have the Wadia 830 for about two years now and I find it sounds fantastic all the way !

Could anyone comment on their bigger models like the 850 or simply just post their experience with other models ?



Just got to thinking, if you really love your Wadia, perhaps see if you have a dealer that will let you borrow their new DAC, the 521...

IT's very good and Ill bet would sound fantastic with that transport!

[Tubedampers]

Just would like to have some feedback on Wadia players.
I have the Wadia 830 for about two years now and I find it sounds fantastic all the way !

Could anyone comment on their bigger models like the 850 or simply just post their experience with other models ?

I went from Yamaha CDP 993, Sony 777 ES ( no wonder so many members here complain about digital sounding CDs, but it's these Sony players who are to blame mostly IME ..), NAD 541i and Creek CD 50 to Wadia and what a difference that was ....:agree:


I got my first Wadia in the mid nineties - an 8 transport and a 15 decoding computer. Later upgraded the 15 to 15i, which was a major step forward.
Next upgrade was a Genesis Digital Lens between the transport and DAC. A set-up I was very happy with - until a year ago...

Now I think I may have found my last CD player. Maybe...
Found a second hand 861 se on Great Northern Sound's preowned site a year ago. Upgraded to their Statement level it sounds absolutely fantastic! Fast, rhythmic with excellent dynamics but at the same time soft, musical, relaxed. Great with vocals.

OK, so it doesn't play SACD's... Very tempting with the new 581/781 models, but I'll stick with my Ayre C-5xe universal player for SACD and DVD-A. It's not as super detailed as the Wadia but still pretty good ;-)


/Kent

[TONEPUB]

Yep, Steve does a great job with the Wadias and takes them to the next level...