Wadax Atlantis Reference DAC and Wadax Atlantis Server have arrived exceeding sound quality expectations upon startup, out of the box and only getting better with about 150 hours of powering!
Yes, its level of performance and cost is equal to high-end exotic sports cars, and the looks may not be everyone’s favorite, though I am a fan of the design as I am with D’Agostino Momentum and Relentless. If you can, it's worth a listen but I warn you now if you cannot budget it then stay away, otherwise, you will start negotiating with yourself, and generally, that is not a good thing.
There is such a presence in the music, it is intoxicating, and the music becomes more engaging, enough that if you have an agenda for the day, it’s easy to simply lose track of the time. Then if you are not fully focused while in the listening chair, musical segments will sneak up on you in a spooky cool manner. When you are listening, simply close your eyes, and let the speakers disappear, the soundstage expands and the music is presented with dimensional attributes all around you, it is like you are on the stage. There is full energy, dimension, and detail that is accurately presented in a smooth manner. There is no clinical, brightness or glare, it is a full-body and controlled sound, one that does not become fatiguing in any way.
I have had much success with servers, and steadily they have improved passing a cleaner signal to be processed, it’s no different here with the Wadax Atlantis Reference Server. The Reference Server is built to compliment the Wadax Atlantis Reference DAC, so I will not be comparing others in the stable, there is no need to IMO, and this gear is heavy!
While the Wadax Atlantis Reference DAC is at the pinnacle of digital we carry, it does not mean Berkeley, Ideon, and MSB are any less in creating amazing sound. This goes for the Wadax Atlantis Reference Server as well, and yes Taiko, Aurender, and Ideon all offer something special as well. I am mentioning this, as I believe audio has so many variables, matching is an important part of the process, the sky is the limit!
In setup configuration, the DACs two power supplies are on their own circuit and the server on its own circuit via our portable sub-panel, including the ethernet switch for all to take advantage of potential and impedance. There are various ways how to best address power, it’s all fundamental in practice, and it is centric to audio performance and more.
The optional Akasa optical cable and interface connect the DAC and Server, it’s massive! I have two AudioQuest Dragon high current power cables for the DAC and one AudioQuest Dragon Source power cable on the server. AudioQuest Dragon XLRs connect the DAC to the Preamp. The ethernet switch is the Ansuz D series with DTC Ethernet cable. Each component sits on Critical Mass platforms with Sapphire shelves. I have not done anything in regards to footers and at this point, I believe it’s best to let time take its course and let things settle.
Shout out to Elliott Goldman and Mike Lavigne for the support and friendship in this endeavor to represent Wadax in the Northwest.
Long Love Audio!