Wadax Munich 2022

[Mike Lavigne]

What's this? Is it a SACD transport?

it's the new power supply for the Wadax Reference Server. it debuted at Munich and has not even been given a list price yet. they had only one of these at the show.

the Wadax Reference Dac comes standard with two separate power supplies, one for each channel. the Ref Server debuted 18 months ago with an on board power supply, and Wadax has been working on this separate one for a while. the Reference Server has the connection on board already for this new power supply in anticipation. they are said to also be working on a companion disc transport of some sort but no confirmation that is going to happen, or when.

 

[Elliot G.]

What's this? Is it a SACD transport?

No, that is the new PSU for the Server which will be available this summer sometime. ( Power Supply)

 

[marmota]

it's the new power supply for the Wadax Reference Server. it debuted at Munich and has not even been given a list price yet. they had only one of these at the show.

the Wadax Reference Dac comes standard with two separate power supplies, one for each channel. the Ref Server debuted 18 months ago with an on board power supply, and Wadax has been working on this separate one for a while. the Reference Server has the connection on board already for this new power supply in anticipation. they are said to also be working on a companion disc transport of some sort but no confirmation that is going to happen, or when.

No, that is the new PSU for the Server which will be available this summer sometime. ( Power Supply)

Thanks!
Looks lovely. It's quite curious that it doesn't have the exact same aesthetic as the two separate power supplies of the Reference DAC (or viceversa), but looks great:



From an aesthetics point of view, it would make more sense if both power supplies looked the same (like it happens with both DAC and Server, whose only difference are the screen and buttons layout), but that's just my opinion and a minor nitpick.

 

[Elliot G.]

Thanks!
Looks lovely. It's quite curious that it doesn't have the exact same aesthetic as the two separate power supplies of the Reference DAC (or viceversa), but looks great:

View attachment 93670

From an aesthetics point of view, it would make more sense if both power supplies looked the same (like it happens with both DAC and Server, whose only difference are the screen and buttons layout), but that's just my opinion and a minor nitpick.

I did not get a chance to discuss this with Javier as he was crazy busy with 5 rooms using the gear and one at a different location. I was not able to go to Madrid as planned so this and other questions I will be able to ask when he is back next week in Spain.
I am not sure if this is the finished item or a working prototype. It could be either. It could also be a different finish option as the DAC can come in alternate finishes as well if ordered. We shall find out soon!

 

[Audiocrack]

it's the new power supply for the Wadax Reference Server. it debuted at Munich and has not even been given a list price yet. they had only one of these at the show.

the Wadax Reference Dac comes standard with two separate power supplies, one for each channel. the Ref Server debuted 18 months ago with an on board power supply, and Wadax has been working on this separate one for a while. the Reference Server has the connection on board already for this new power supply in anticipation. they are said to also be working on a companion disc transport of some sort but no confirmation that is going to happen, or when.

List prices for this new dedicated PSU and new Akasa DC cable have been determined. Those who are interested can contact Wadax.

 

[marmota]

I did not get a chance to discuss this with Javier as he was crazy busy with 5 rooms using the gear and one at a different location. I was not able to go to Madrid as planned so this and other questions I will be able to ask when he is back next week in Spain.
I am not sure if this is the finished item or a working prototype. It could be either. It could also be a different finish option as the DAC can come in alternate finishes as well if ordered. We shall find out soon!

Great to know, please keep us updated!
IMO, it looks better than the DAC's power supplies. The center console gives it a more solid, coherent aesthetic when placed along the DAC and Server (and equal dimensions as the DAC and Server 100% of the time).

 

[rando]

From an aesthetics point of view, it would make more sense if both power supplies looked...

Like less of a female counterpart?

Shorter, easier on the eyes, and accessorized.

Even in a normal period 'subject to change' is an open ended condition applying to new products. Bit of an odd duck the height though.

 

[marmota]

Like less of a female counterpart?

Shorter, easier on the eyes, and accessorized.

Even in a normal period 'subject to change' is an open ended condition applying to new products. Bit of an odd duck the height though.

Sorry, couldn't understand what you said.
It would make more sense to me if it looked more like the DAC power supplies (or viceversa), but it's just an opinion and it's appearance could change in the future if it is a prototype.

 

[Elliot G.]

Sorry, couldn't understand what you said.
It would make more sense to me if it looked more like the DAC power supplies, but it's just an opinion and it's appearance could change in the future if it is a prototype.

it looks just like the DAC if the tops were metal not anodized black. The DAC is also available in all black. I don't know if this is the way it normally comes or it was a color chosen . All this should be answered next week.

 

[rando]

@Elliot G.

Did you have trouble assigning meaning to my previous post?

This complaint occurs with a high amount of regularity and I cannot for the life of me see what is at fault.

 

[marty]

The Wadax is the only digital so far that I feel comfortable with the tone. Great great machine as Mike said. But I think there are still a bit more room for improvement.

I have heard the Wadax reference Dac 2 times in his setup and both times i was amazed how such a expensive system can sound so distant and so far from the infinity of the musical spectrum no powerful bass, no magical midrange and no sparkling but yet not electric sounding open high frequencies.... if you do not have above mentioned how can you clarify those prices???

Not surprising, there appears to be a range of opinions on the Wadax. I have now heard it in 4 different and very good systems and I tend to agree with the comments above. It does indeed have excellent tone. It is also low in distortion and I have no quarrel with the bass I have heard (generally more so a function of the room and speakers). It is definitely euphonic, and I mean that in a good way. Very pleasing. But where I struggle is that it's just not representative of the way real music sounds. I find it somewhat flat and in that sense devoid of the sense of life that is in the real thing, especially in the upper registers. The main liability for me is its lack of proper harmonics more than the fundamentals. They are just plainly truncated (is that the lack of sparkle to which amadeus refers?). All you have to do is play a piano or a violin to appreciate that the harmonics do not float above the instrument as they do in life. There is no layering of harmonics. (I'm not referring to sound stage layering and instrument placement).

Still, my take away is that it's a damn fine piece, but it's just not sonically correct by my ears nor something I aspire to for my system. And btw, cost is irrelevant to my assessment. I'm talking SQ merits (or de-merits) only. I don't know if this makes any sense but there is something about the sound of the Wadax that reminds me of another DAC, namely the Meitner EMM DA2 which I owned for several years. Is it that I seem to prefer DACs that process recordings in their native configuration? I don't know, but there's a quality in the Wadax that is eerily reminiscent of the Meitner. Again, there's no other way to express it except to say that if you think the sound of a violin or piano is correct through a Wadax, then I'm happy for you. I do not.

And that is why I bought a Horizon (if it ever gets here). It is precisely that ability of my Golden Gate 2 to reproduce the sound of instruments in all their harmonic splendor that I adore which makes it easy to believe the sound I'm hearing is a genuinely good facsimile of the real thing. In short, the Lampi does not get in the way of the illusion. The Wadax does, at least for me. The Lampi GG2 simply conveys the life of real music far more convincingly, however YMMV. That the Horizon (which promises to do this even better than the GG2) costs 1/3rd of the Wadax is just gravy.

 

[Elliot G.]

@Elliot G.

Did you have trouble assigning meaning to my previous post?

This complaint occurs with a high amount of regularity and I cannot for the life of me see what is at fault.

no I don't understand what you are saying

 

[Elliot G.]

Not surprising, there appears to be a range of opinions on the Wadax. I have now heard it in 4 different and very good systems and I tend to agree with the comments above. It does indeed have excellent tone. It is also low in distortion and I have no quarrel with the bass I have heard (generally more so a function of the room and speakers). It is definitely euphonic, and I mean that in a good way. Very pleasing. But where I struggle is that it's just not representative of the way real music sounds. I find it somewhat flat and in that sense devoid of the sense of life that is in the real thing, especially in the upper registers. The main liability for me is its lack of proper harmonics more than the fundamentals. They are just plainly truncated (is that the lack of sparkle to which amadeus refers?). All you have to do is play a piano or a violin to appreciate that the harmonics do not float above the instrument as they do in life. There is no layering of harmonics. (I'm not referring to sound stage layering and instrument placement).

Still, my take away is that it's a damn fine piece, but it's just not sonically correct by my ears nor something I aspire to for my system. And btw, cost is irrelevant to my assessment. I'm talking SQ merits (or de-merits) only. I don't know if this makes any sense but there is something about the sound of the Wadax that reminds me of another upsampling DAC, namely the Meitner EMM DA2 which I owned for several years. Is it that I seem to prefer DACs that process recordings in their native configuration? I don't know, but there's a quality in the Wadax that is eerily reminiscent of the Meitner. Again, there's no other way to express it except to say that if you think the sound of a violin or piano is correct through a Wadax, then I'm happy for you. I do not.

And that is why I bought a Horizon (if it ever gets here). It is precisely that ability of my Golden Gate 2 to reproduce the sound of instruments in all their harmonic splendor that I adore which makes it easy to believe the sound I'm hearing is a genuine facsimile of the real thing. In short, the Lampi does not get in the way of the illusion. The Wadax does, at least for me. The Lampi GG2 simply conveys the life of real music far more convincingly, at least to me. That the Horizon (which promises to do this even better than the GG2) costs 1/3rd of the Wadax is just gravy.

Marty. The Wadax does not upsample

 

[morricab]

I’m not a dealer but do know ideon as I use there master reclocker
I can’t agree that only the two mentioned were great digital but I also can’t say that the ideon is in the league of wadax in sound
ideon does have a extremely clean focus it’s the hall mark of them and the reclock
to me the wadax is in another league and I’m not a fan of them as yet since I felt I needed much more time to understand what the wadax is playing
when I herd it now 3 times
ideon is a great dac over all to me and has no hint of digital annoying sounds.

Not sure about this “doesn’t have annoying digital sounds “ as a criterion. This might be relevant in the sub 2k class DACs but I haven’t had obvious or even subtle digital artifacts in my DACs for about 20 years. If it takes a long time to understand does that mean it is sounding like real live music to you? I heard a greet concert last night and it took no time to understand what was happening.

 

[marty]

Marty. The Wadax does not upsample

Thanks for the correction. Still, there's a similarity to the Meitner IMHO, albeit the Wadax is significantly better in tone

 

[Alrainbow]

I never felt most agree on almost anything

Not sure about this “doesn’t have annoying digital sounds “ as a criterion. This might be relevant in the sub 2k class DACs but I haven’t had obvious or even subtle digital artifacts in my DACs for about 20 years. If it takes a long time to understand does that mean it is sounding like real live music to you? I heard a greet concert last night and it took no time to understand what was happening.

i don’t think I’m explaining my point very well .
let me try it this way now
let’s say you go to an audio buds home
one that has very serious products set up very well
for me and I think others you may not get all that’s playing in front of you. Especially if its music you don’t know at all. your comment to live Events does not make sense to me in most cases no live event I ever heard sounds like a home system even the best of them
and to me a well setup home beats live pa all the time
now if you mean classical live I can see your point but to me I don’t prefer live classical unless it’s in a smaller venue not a large place and like to close then most want.
i agree I can make some kind of judgment in min but if it’s a system done well it’s very complex for me.
have you ever played a well known track on some one elses setup and it’s not the same
is there’s messed up or is yours garbage
as very few of us hear the same we each need to try to understand others views it’s how I learn
what I may like maybe very wrong and it’s easy to say oh his place was off.
i am not admitting I don’t know or have no idea what’s great or not
but I am admitting that I can’t tell all in two mins
and I don’t think anyone can do this.
even if I try a new amp or preamp one can judged fast to me it’s a fools way
a song you don’t know
on a system you don’t know is not for me.
Now i can say what I think but this is just not fair

 

[christoph]

now there were and are dacs i prefere over them . but its still great digital .

If you don't like the sound, it can't be good digital.
At least not to me

 

[christoph]

List prices for this new dedicated PSU and new Akasa DC cable have been determined. Those who are interested can contact Wadax.

Now the prices are only for the inner circle?

 

[christoph]

Not surprising, there appears to be a range of opinions on the Wadax. I have now heard it in 4 different and very good systems and I tend to agree with the comments above. It does indeed have excellent tone. It is also low in distortion and I have no quarrel with the bass I have heard (generally more so a function of the room and speakers). It is definitely euphonic, and I mean that in a good way. Very pleasing. But where I struggle is that it's just not representative of the way real music sounds. I find it somewhat flat and in that sense devoid of the sense of life that is in the real thing, especially in the upper registers. The main liability for me is its lack of proper harmonics more than the fundamentals. They are just plainly truncated (is that the lack of sparkle to which amadeus refers?). All you have to do is play a piano or a violin to appreciate that the harmonics do not float above the instrument as they do in life. There is no layering of harmonics. (I'm not referring to sound stage layering and instrument placement).

Still, my take away is that it's a damn fine piece, but it's just not sonically correct by my ears nor something I aspire to for my system. And btw, cost is irrelevant to my assessment. I'm talking SQ merits (or de-merits) only. I don't know if this makes any sense but there is something about the sound of the Wadax that reminds me of another upsampling DAC, namely the Meitner EMM DA2 which I owned for several years. Is it that I seem to prefer DACs that process recordings in their native configuration? I don't know, but there's a quality in the Wadax that is eerily reminiscent of the Meitner. Again, there's no other way to express it except to say that if you think the sound of a violin or piano is correct through a Wadax, then I'm happy for you. I do not.

And that is why I bought a Horizon (if it ever gets here). It is precisely that ability of my Golden Gate 2 to reproduce the sound of instruments in all their harmonic splendor that I adore which makes it easy to believe the sound I'm hearing is a genuine facsimile of the real thing. In short, the Lampi does not get in the way of the illusion. The Wadax does, at least for me. The Lampi GG2 simply conveys the life of real music far more convincingly, however YMMV. That the Horizon (which promises to do this even better than the GG2) costs 1/3rd of the Wadax is just gravy.

Love your post

 

[andromedaaudio]

I ll take a black one , matches nicely with the Gryphon Apex