Wadia's new webpage is tough to accept for long time Wadia customers. Their product range now only includes the new Intuition 01 and the 1-Series. I read somewhere that an Intuition 02 is in the works and that it will be a source component.
Is Wadia moving from high-end to lifestyle markets? If that is the case, I am saddened and dissapointed beyond words.
Wadia's new webpage is tough to accept for long time Wadia customers. Their product range now only includes the new Intuition 01 and the 1-Series. I read somewhere that an Intuition 02 is in the works and that it will be a source component.
Is Wadia moving from high-end to lifestyle markets? If that is the case, I am saddened and dissapointed beyond words.
Wadia's new webpage is tough to accept for long time Wadia customers. Their product range now only includes the new Intuition 01 and the 1-Series. I read somewhere that an Intuition 02 is in the works and that it will be a source component.
Is Wadia moving from high-end to lifestyle markets? If that is the case, I am saddened and dissapointed beyond words.
My dealer got a letter from Wadia around the first of April (for a second we thought it was an April Fools joke) which stated that they see the spinning disc market as dead and computer audio is the future. Therefore they are starting on a new path of decoding products with the Intuition 01 being the first entry (with many more to come).
He just unloaded his demos and is now debating on whether or not to bring in an Intuition or look to a different line.
That is why I sold my S7i and bought a universal player, the ModWright Oppo 105. Wadia dropped all previous customers like a cheap hooker. I think discs still have a future for the next 5 years.
The future of Wadia is totally dependent on how it performs in direct comparison to the new line of Devialet products... Looks like a tough battle. The era of high-end lifestyle has just begun I believe...
My dealer got a letter from Wadia around the first of April (for a second we thought it was an April Fools joke) which stated that they see the spinning disc market as dead and computer audio is the future. Therefore they are starting on a new path of decoding products with the Intuition 01 being the first entry (with many more to come).
He just unloaded his demos and is now debating on whether or not to bring in an Intuition or look to a different line.
My dealer got a letter from Wadia around the first of April (for a second we thought it was an April Fools joke) which stated that they see the spinning disc market as dead and computer audio is the future. Therefore they are starting on a new path of decoding products with the Intuition 01 being the first entry (with many more to come)...
"...As you all know, the Wadia brand enjoys “legacy status” as one of the founding ?rms that pioneered high-performance digital audio over twenty ?ve years ago - and how times have changed since then. Clearly a move away from music bring stored on optical media is happening today and Wadia’s future products will embrace this new market reality. Simply stated, the current product category of CD players, can no longer sustain growth in any meaningful way. Consequently, Wadia will cease manufacture immediately of the 381/381i and S7i CD players, 571 CD Transport and 521 Decoding Computer. These products are now of?cially discontinued. Please note that there is limited inventory remaining of these models and these will be made available to our dealer are a ?rst come ?rst serve basis. Additionally, the parts and service warranty on these discontinued models will be honored. Remaining models that will continue to be available going forward include the 121 Decoding Computer, 151 Power DAC Mini and of course, Intuition 01..."
Agreed.... unless they have a large product pipeline ready to release with features and specs which will satisfy the typical high-end digital buyer. I am personally concerned, though, that the Fine Sounds acquisition was motivated primarily by Wadia's IP and patents (which are unique in the industry) and less by actually continuing the core values of the brand.
My understanding with the Series 9 products is that they are in a bit of a "no man's land" right now. Not officially discontinued, but not officially current product either.
I've been a Wadia fan for years and have enjoyed their products immensely. At this point, though, I'm out and will be looking elsewhere. I wish them the very best and if their strategy pays of and reinvigorates the company then I'll look at their products again.
Steve, I think it's important to clarify here. Wadia hasn't closed, they have just decided that there is no future in the spinning disc market and are now focusing on products to decode digital streams (primarily from servers). They still have a product line (Intuition 01, 1xx series DACs / AMPs, as well as some forthcoming additions to the Intuition line) and are still providing service and support for their legacy products.
Now, whether or not this change in strategy will be beneficial or detrimental to their business remains to be seen.
Steve, I think it's important to clarify here. Wadia hasn't closed, they have just decided that there is no future in the spinning disc market and are now focusing on products to decode digital streams (primarily from servers). They still have a product line (Intuition 01, 1xx series DACs / AMPs, as well as some forthcoming additions to the Intuition line) and are still providing service and support for their legacy products.
Now, whether or not this change in strategy will be beneficial or detrimental to their business remains to be seen.
Steve, I think it's important to clarify here. Wadia hasn't closed, they have just decided that there is no future in the spinning disc market and are now focusing on products to decode digital streams (primarily from servers). They still have a product line (Intuition 01, 1xx series DACs / AMPs, as well as some forthcoming additions to the Intuition line) and are still providing service and support for their legacy products.
Now, whether or not this change in strategy will be beneficial or detrimental to their business remains to be seen.
The sad facts are:
1) No more Wadia CD players
2) Also, no more Wadia transports
3) 1 ½ years with Fine Sounds, only one new product has been presented
4) And this product also indicates, that it is the end of the well known Wadia design
5) Wadia today, has not even a high-end DAC
I am personally concerned, though, that the Fine Sounds acquisition was motivated primarily by Wadia's IP and patents (which are unique in the industry) and less by actually continuing the core values of the brand.
I've been a Wadia fan for years and have enjoyed their products immensely. At this point, though, I'm out and will be looking elsewhere. I wish them the very best and if their strategy pays of and reinvigorates the company then I'll look at their products again.
I tend to agree with your perspective. The Fine Groups needed some digital expertise for the group and got it from Wadia. As far as I see the days of the great Wadia CD players ended. The dimension slice of market that the current Wadia could aim at is not enough for such groups. I think that sooner than we expect Audio Research will be including digital expertise from Wadia in their units.
The new owners, Fine Sounds, wants to cash in on the Wadia name, but completely change their customer base. So in essence, it is no longer Wadia, but a consortium of several high end players ( Audio Research/Sonus Faber/Sumiko).