The Early Wadia Products

[AVphile]

When Wadia first came out, I invested in a Wadia 8 transport and a Wadia Digital Decoding Computer 2000 (which has been updated to the final version of its operating software). While I still use the Wadia 8 as my primary transport for CDs, these days I primarily use my Theta Casablanca V for decoding CDs. However, from time to time, I still switch to my DDC 2000 -- when I want a softer, more melodious sound.

I am curious whether others have hung on to their DDC2000s -- or am I wasting space on my rack keeping it around,

 

[nirodha]

As long as you are enjoying the unit, you are not wasting space at all. Aaaah…. How I lusted after Wadia in the old days. Equivalent to Wadax now. I couldn’t afford the wadia back then, can’t afford the Wadax now…. So much for progress

 

[Slingblade]

As long as you are enjoying the unit, you are not wasting space at all. Aaaah…. How I lusted after Wadia in the old days. Equivalent to Wadax now. I couldn’t afford the wadia back then, can’t afford the Wadax now…. So much for progress

Same!!

 

[AVphile]

Yesterday, I experimented by playing various CDs using my Wadia 8 transport -- first using my Wadia 2000 DDC (DAC) into my Theta Casablanca V preamp/processor and then using the DAC boards (fully balanced circuit topology, Burr Brown PCM-1792 DACs with two per channel, and fully discrete resistor ladder volume controls). Finally, I streamed (the same tracks from either Tidal or Qobuz) using my Lumin T2 streamer DAC (which employs dual Sabre 9028 DAC chips).

The results (for the most part, but with exceptions): the Wadia was softer and duller than the other two; the Casablanca V was often harsh and bright -- so much so that it was downright unpleasant, which was a shock to me given how expensive it is (~$40K); in most cases, the Lumin sounded the best, although its ability to extract detail was not consistent.

My conclusion is that the technologies for DAC processing and analog audio continue to progress. Consequently, I need to purchase a high-quality, state-of-the-art DAC.