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,
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
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
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.
I once owned several of the Wadia products. Fond memories. I had the 16i all in one CD player. It had the "bit chopper" digital volume control if one wanted to use that. I still remember when I first plugged it into my system. It definitely had a wow factor compared to most other digital of the age. Then I had the 270 transport and the 27i DAC for a while. As you said, the wadia sound is best classified as "Liquid". There is nothing offensive about the Wadia sound. This was nice back when digital was coming of age. But today it is the equivilent of a syrupy tube amp that was common in the same era.
I am sure you could certainly do better than your wadia combo. Digital has come a very long way in the past 25 years. But there is the issue of what is available at whatever your budget is.
