Wadax Reference Dac and Server arrive

[microstrip]

Hi Mike,

I am in no position to dispute the findings of you and your friends in your head-to-head comparison of the Wadax Reference DAC and MSB Select II DAC. I’m sure you know what you heard.

I just have one last question and I’ll let this rest. Did you ever send the Select II DAC (specifically the DAC chassis) back to MSB for an inspection / tuneup? Your particular Select II DAC traveled halfway around the world and back (California, Eastern Europe, New York City, Seattle) and the two previous owners didn’t hold onto it for very long. Is it possible that this Select II DAC isn’t performing at 100%? There are some individuals of note who believe this may be the case.

Ken

It is something we must always consider - our opinions are just single data points on particular units. Fortunately most of the time I measure any unit entering my system - and a few were sent back as they had problems that would affect their potential performance.

But in some sense you have a point - I would never buy an expensive DAC without seeing its measurements. Measurements do not tell us how something sounds, but are an excellent control tool. Surely I measured the dCS Vivaldi when I got it, although I knew it would show better characteristics than my measurement tools ...

 

[Stereophonic]

Hi @Elliot G.
You can note how i wrote “new”….
I’ve rediscovered my first impressions (2017!!!) in this site about Wadax…
Post in thread 'New Wadax Atlantis Line'
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/new-wadax-atlantis-line.23204/post-457358
Post in thread 'New Wadax Atlantis Line'
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/new-wadax-atlantis-line.23204/post-458206
Post in thread 'New Wadax Atlantis Line'
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/new-wadax-atlantis-line.23204/post-458383

It is funny to read these lines so much time after….

Even Mike thoughts in those times..
Post in thread 'New Wadax Atlantis Line'
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/new-wadax-atlantis-line.23204/post-457369
Post in thread 'New Wadax Atlantis Line'
https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/new-wadax-atlantis-line.23204/post-457372

 

[bonzo75]

So let me see if I got this right. You respected Mike's opinion regarding the MSB when you were both in agreement, savoring your abilities to agree on discerning all the fine points of audio listening to great gear. But now that he has expressed a sincere preference for another brand, you question whether he can tell if a piece of gear he owns is defective? C'mon man, that's a bridge too far. If I were so inclined to hurl insults at a friend, my second choice would be to at least do it privately! My first instinct however, would just be to let it go and respect his decision.

His disagreement comes from hifi show walkabouts. Golden ears to listen to the whole system at shows and decide what source is doing

"
I gave the Wadax/Gobel system a long listen at Capital Audiofest with several visits to the room. I wish I could say I loved what I heard but to be totally honest the sound left me cold. The system lacked the lifelike sonic qualities that immerse me in the music. It was lacking the magic that evoke an emotional response, no chills down the spine, no smiles or tears of joy. It just left me flat.

Contrast that with my trips to the MSB room at Axpona in successive years where I was as emotionally captivated as I have ever been by the music emanating from the Select DAC and adjoining system. I ended up spending nearly half of my time at Axpona in the MSB room savoring every minute of the music.

Ken"

New Wadax Atlantis Reference Dac

Absent the chrome accents is better, for my own sense of aesthetic. Would look nice with Magico M9s!

www.whatsbestforum.com

 

[Alpinist]

His disagreement comes from hifi show walkabouts. Golden ears to listen to the whole system at shows and decide what source is doing

Great sound from a component and great sound from that component in their room at an audio show shouldn’t be mutually exclusive. I purchased my Select II DAC three years ago from my favorable experience listening to it at two different audio shows. And that decision was a bullseye. Now I have great sound in my listening room. I have not yet listened to any great sound from the Wadax Reference System and will withhold a favorable opinion of it until I do.

Ken

 

[Alpinist]

I understand @Alpinist message on positive way….
He is asking and answering himself. It isn’t easy to understand how a “new” brand has entered with so power in US Audio Circuit.
He is looking for what is wrong with Mike’s MSB to understand how is possible to better MSB sound.
We all need time and patience to understand a new component and if it reach our goals…
Wadax has raised the bar, and it needs to be digest….in the right way.

You are incorrect. What I did was bring to light some information that many were not aware of that may have impacted the results of Mike’s DAC shootout. I didn’t create this information out of thin air, it was brought to my attention by several individuals. I thought it was important to bring it forward rather than squelch it.

Ken

 

[andromedaaudio]

Alpinist as a simple thread observer i dont know what the fuss is about.
You like a lower priced piece of gear more then a higher priced one apparently.
This alone should give you joy as you seem to have a found a great deal .
I m usually very happy if i find a component like that.
Some like horns some like cones , big deal lol
Same discussion

 

[Stereophonic]

You are incorrect. What I did was bring to light some information that many were not aware of that may have impacted the results of Mike’s DAC shootout. I didn’t create this information out of thin air, it was brought to my attention by several individuals. I thought it was important to bring it forward rather than squelch it.

Ken

Ok.
I was only trying to understand your point by an empathic way…
So, you are bringing to light an MSB issue that a lot of MSB costumers doesn’t know… This doesn’t help MSB too much…

I just have one last question and I’ll let this rest. Did you ever send the Select II DAC (specifically the DAC chassis) back to MSB for an inspection / tuneup? Your particular Select II DAC traveled halfway around the world and back (California, Eastern Europe, New York City, Seattle) and the two previous owners didn’t hold onto it for very long. Is it possible that this Select II DAC isn’t performing at 100%? There are some individuals of note who believe this may be the case.

Ken

Are you aware you are suggesting a lot of MSB Dac’s aren’t sounding at its best performance and MSB is hiding this?
I never have listened a Dac has to to be inspected and tuned up. At leats, Wadax one doesn’t need this kind of inspections…
If you are trying to find any way to believe MSB is still better, this way to do it doesn’t help. You are putting MSB transparency in doubt by hiding information and MSB users in a no needed position of concern about their MSB Dacs….
MSB Select Dac will sound as good as ever, so if you are happy with its sound, congratulations.
If you really want to understand what Wadax puts in the table forget Showrooms and request a home demo. It is the only way to valore it as it deserves, in your own system and room.
I’m going to test in my system Esprit Gaia XLR.
Could you please tell me how could i valore its sounds in a Showroom, with a different system and room interaction?
Impossible.
In my system, is so easy as listening one cable vs current one having rest of variables exactly the same.

 

[Kawero]

Dear all,

apologize that I jump in. I listen some time now to Wadax Reference Dac and it is a complete game changer. I am considering to quit with analog.

Yes the performance is this good.

Best regards

Rainer Weber

 

[Stereophonic]

Welcome @Kawero to WBF !!!!
It would be a pleasure if you could share your Wadax’s experience with us.
Regards !!!

 

[SCAudiophile]

Like so many of us, I've followed Mike's journey over the years all the way back to Agon in the early 2000s, and as of late,
this latest set of changes and all the steps taken by Mike on this and other forums.

Here's an idea,....Mike has owned, enjoyed and talked very positively about his MSB stack and Taiko Extreme for many years
(and many other products of various kinds) on this an other forums. He's enjoyed his prior purchases and also went out of his way
to help a vast number of audiophiles over the years as well putting, I'm guessing 100s if not 1000s of hours into answering questions
on forums, phone, hosting people in his home, etc.. He's also one of the nicest guys on the forums and really loves the hobby, doing
his best to help others along the way.

Now, he's gone to the time to fly to hear new products and went the furthest mile to have those products flown in for a multi-day,
side by side demo in his system and room with the best attention detail he could muster and I dare say, one of the best examples
of doing that I've ever seen. He's made a choice as to what sounds more to his liking and where he want to spend, and I'll note this
with emphasis, his money, his time, and his musical focus on for the foreseeable future.

That hasn't met with various people's preconceived notions, preferences etc....so be it,...you all have a right to choose what you
like best in the same way Mike has.

If he didn't wind up keeping and preferring the product that is your favorite,... *move on*, *get over it*, and remember, it's his choice alone.

First and foremost, let him enjoy his purchase for %^%$#$~%^s' sake and leave it alone!!!???

 

[Audiocrack]

Dear all,

apologize that I jump in. I listen some time now to Wadax Reference Dac and it is a complete game changer. I am considering to quit with analog.

Yes the performance is this good.

Best regards

Rainer Weber

Dear Rainer,

That is an interesting and straight statement. Looking at the attached picture you are using a Taiko server. Various people all over the world who’s ears I trust informed me that combining the reference dac with its reference server and Akasa cable is needed to experience the reference dac’s ultimum performance and that the sonic leap forward is very significant indeed. Are you maybe considering this step?

 

[Kawero]

Dear Rainer,

That is an interesting and straight statement. Looking at the attached picture you are using a Taiko server. Various people all over the world who’s ears I trust informed me that combining the reference dac with its reference server and Akasa cable is needed to experience the reference dac’s ultimum performance and that the sonic leap forward is very significant indeed. Are you maybe considering this step?

This is the next step. It’s on order

Br
Rainer

 

[Lagonda]

Dear all,

apologize that I jump in. I listen some time now to Wadax Reference Dac and it is a complete game changer. I am considering to quit with analog.

Yes the performance is this good.

Best regards

Rainer Weber

Welcome Rainer ! I assume you are the technical director of Kaiser Kawero speakers ? You should list that in your signature, we have enough undeclared industry representatives in this thread already ! You do not list a Taiko server in your signature, but have one in your included picture. Is it still what you use, or have you changed to Wadax ?

 

[Kawero]

Welcome Rainer ! I assume you are the technical director of Kaiser Kawero speakers ? You should list that in your signature, we have enough undeclared industry representatives in this thread already ! You do not list a Taiko server in your signature, but have one in your included picture. Is it still what you use, or have you changed to Wadax ?

Yes. I am the technical director of Kawero.
I just made quick my signature. Will update later

Br

Rainer

 

[Lagonda]

Sorry ! My question has been answered before i could even post it, you Wadax guys are really fast !

 

[Audiocrack]

This is the next step. It’s on order

Br
Rainer

Congrats! I have high hopes that the reference combo and Akasa cable in combination with (i) top notch grounding and (ii) an ideal set up might be as good as or in certain aspects even better a top notch vinyl set up. Looking forward to your future experiences.

 

[Stereophonic]

This is the next step. It’s on order

Br
Rainer

 

[wil]

Like so many of us, I've followed Mike's journey over the years all the way back to Agon in the early 2000s, and as of late,
this latest set of changes and all the steps taken by Mike on this and other forums.

Here's an idea,....Mike has owned, enjoyed and talked very positively about his MSB stack and Taiko Extreme for many years
(and many other products of various kinds) on this an other forums. He's enjoyed his prior purchases and also went out of his way
to help a vast number of audiophiles over the years as well putting, I'm guessing 100s if not 1000s of hours into answering questions
on forums, phone, hosting people in his home, etc.. He's also one of the nicest guys on the forums and really loves the hobby, doing
his best to help others along the way.

Now, he's gone to the time to fly to hear new products and went the furthest mile to have those products flown in for a multi-day,
side by side demo in his system and room with the best attention detail he could muster and I dare say, one of the best examples
of doing that I've ever seen. He's made a choice as to what sounds more to his liking and where he want to spend, and I'll note this
with emphasis, his money, his time, and his musical focus on for the foreseeable future.

That hasn't met with various people's preconceived notions, preferences etc....so be it,...you all have a right to choose what you
like best in the same way Mike has.

If he didn't wind up keeping and preferring the product that is your favorite,... *move on*, *get over it*, and remember, it's his choice alone.

First and foremost, let him enjoy his purchase for %^%$#$~%^s' sake and leave it alone!!!???

I would put a ton more weight on Mike's appraisal in his room than a set up in a hotel room. As a Taiko/Nagra owner, I'm happy as a clam, and have no problem hearing that another component might, at this moment in time, be performing at another level in the audio stratosphere. I like seeing that the technology is advancing in the service of music!

 

[Rhapsody]

Yes. I am the technical director of Kawero.
I just made quick my signature. Will update later

Br

Rainer

Hi Rainer, another welcome to WBF!

Are you a WADAX dealer? Or just a user? If a dealer, then you should also include that in your signature.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

i want to thank my local friend Sean (WBF member "audioarcher") for visiting yesterday for an enjoyable listening session, and assisting me with the heavy lifting of moving my gear around to get things organized. got the Tripoint Elite moved over to the bottom left, on double Daiza's, then the Wadax dac power supplies one rack left, on double Daiza's, and the Wadax Ref dac moved from on top of the Tana active shelf, to the bottom where the power supplies had been, on double Daiza's. then the NVS tt back in it's place on the Tana. this is likely how it's going to be unless i were to change rack brands (no plans for that right now).

after the 45 minutes or so of our 'workout', we started the session with Sean listening to the Wadax for an hour or so, mostly to cuts of his choosing. obviously we had just moved stuff around and had everything unplugged. so it was not quite at it's best. then another hour of vinyl. mostly very good pressings, with some 45's. no doubt i love what i hear from the Wadax and with good recordings, you are never aware it's digital and not vinyl, but just speaking for myself, the best vinyl is in another league. it does require some top level vinyl gear to do that, of course. YMMV.