Wadax Studio Player Review

[matthias]

@micro13
Just an OT question regarding this thread but anyway:
Did you consider to reduce the box count by upgrading to CH Series 10?
A two-box L10 outperforms the four-box L1, a single M10 outperforms a pair of M1.1s and the C10 outperforms all boxes of C1.2 Dual Monos

 

[RoyGregory]

@micro13
Just an OT question regarding this thread but anyway:
Did you consider to reduce the box count by upgrading to CH Series 10?
A two-box L10 outperforms the four-box L1, a single M10 outperforms a pair of M1.1s and the C10 outperforms all boxes of C1.2 Dual Monos

Interesting thought, but not without its complications. If we are really concentrating on box-count here, then the C10 does improve things over the C1.2 Mono plus PSU(s). However, it introduces a different problem. You still need to keep a PSU for the D1.5 and you will need to add a preamp as the C10 has no variable output. Even adding an L1 and sharing the X1 outputs with the D1.5 (personally I prefer to avoid an X1 feeding both a digital and an analogue product) the impact on box-count is minimal. D1.5, C10, L1 and X1 is five boxes - so you only reduce box-count by one and compromise the PSU arrangement along the way. Of course, dedicated X1s for the D1.5 and L1 will offer a performance upgrade - but take you back to six boxes...

 

[RoyGregory]

@RoyGregory - I can't thank you enough for sharing with me your time, your knowledge and experience, I'm extremely grateful. Especially with all the variables your input is priceless.

Let me try to put things into more perspective and remove some variables.
It's not finally decided yet, but the chances are that I have to move my system from a dedicated room to the living room. That means less space for the system and WAF will come into play. That means further the less boxes the better, at least for my wife . Yet we didn't even speak about the amps and the speakers

And here's a short overview of my system:
1. One dedicated line goes directly into a 10x power distributor from S.I.N Audio.
Another dedicated line goes directly into a Synergistic Research Galileo SX ground block. The complete CH setup is connected to the ground block, only the C1.2 head unit is connected with signal and chassis ground.
Both lines are terminated with a Gigawatt circuit breaker.

2. D1.5 is connected to the C1.2 via HDLink connection and a clock cable over the Sync I/O boards, the C1.2 as clock master.

3. The C1.2 Mono was originally a C1 Mono which was fully upgraded around a year ago.

4. The 2x X1 have both dual outputs. One X1 feeds D1.5 and the C1.2 head unit, the other X1 accordingly the two DACs.
The DACs and the X1s have underneath Symposium Rollerblocks (double stack) and are placed on Symposium ISIS racks

5. D1.5, C1.2 head unit and the ground block reside on an Artesania Exotery rack with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms. The D1.5 is placed on an extra Symposium Quantum platform, the C1.2 head unit on a Symposium Ultra platform. Both CH units are equipped with CH titanium spikes from the 10 series on copper spike shoes.

6. 2x M1.1 in Mono mode with 10% Global Feedback and -3 Gain. Both amps are placed with their composite spikes on copper spike shoes onto Symposium Ultra platforms which sits on Artesania Aire floor platforms with Carbon Fiber Linear Arms.

7. Speakers were originally YG Sonja 2.2 and were fully upgraded to the new 3.2 version last year. This new 3-series is a completely different beast and needs a lot more care with room-setup because of the stronger and deeper bass.

Attached are two pictures of my system to get a better impression.
The complete system is placed between the speakers and I'm aware that it's not ideal.

The music I like goes from early music interpretations with Accordone, Christina Pluhar, Jordi Savall, etc, also classical and baroque music from Beethoven (btw thanks for the recommendation for the 9 symphonies with Jordi Savall), Mozart, Stravinsky, Bach, Vivaldi, etc. up to 70ies japanese Jazz with Tsuyoshi Yamamoto, Isao Suzuki, etc. and also 80ies and 90ies music from my youth with Eurythmics, Depeche Mode, Yello, Art Of Noise, Laurie Anderson, Kraftwerk, Portishead, Massive Attack. And there's also PJ Harvey, Lamb, Soap & Skin, Roisin Murphy, Ryuichi Sakamoto, etc.

Of course as you wrote I can't and don't expect that a single box solution will match the 6-box rig. But if the Studio Player can bring other rewarding elements then it's worth to really take it into consideration. And hopefully there's even room for a preamp, let's see. If I understand you correctly, a capable preamp could bring more detail and intimacy into play in conjunction with the Studio Player?
And also the external power supply could change the balance considerably.
It's really very tempting to go this route and 3 boxes are still better than 6 boxes

And thanks a lot for your preamp recommendations. I'm aware that a L1 would be a great choice, especially in conjunction with the M1.1 and X1. With X1, it's getting big again with 4 boxes. I'll look into your other recommmendations which some I don't even heard about.

View attachment 145334View attachment 145335

For me, the most interesting thing here is that in terms of the CH upgrade path you went for the Mono DAC and power supplies, rather than the T1 clock. The Clock adds transparency, focus and organisation. The PSUs add energy, substance and musical presence. So to me that suggests that you already value those aspects of musical presentation that the Studio Player majors on. Drive it through a decent line-stage and you'll maximise its resolution, detail and focus, while adding a healthy dose of musical authority, temporal accuracy and momentum - all things that figure largely in the music you mention. I'd almost go so far as to say that if you appreciate Jordi Savall you are going to also appreciate the Wadax. Their approach to music has a lot in common.

A line-up that ran Studio Player (plus the option of a clock or PSU), L1, X1 and the two M1.1s could be accommodated in a three-high, two-wide rack, massively reducing the visual impact and footprint of the system while - I suspect - giving away surprisingly little in terms of musical qualities and overall enjoyment, arguably substituting an engaging, toe-tapping sense of PRAT for the explicit detail and immediacy of your current set up. Something tells me you are not the only person who will be grappling with this particular challenge, whether on space or performance grounds. Normally, when a really good new product arrives, it's like a pebble hitting the surface of a pond: you can almost see the ripples spreading. In the case of the Studio Player, it's more like someone just heaved a rock into the water!

 

[matthias]

@RoyGregory
You mentioned on page 7 of your review:

"Balanced XLR to RCA adaptors – one solution for those looking to use the Studio Player with single-ended inputs. There will be a Wadax-supplied solution in due course…"

Does this mean @WADAX will offer a version of their DAC modules with single-ended RCA outputs?
Thanks

 

[andromedaaudio]

Does this mean Wadax will offer a version of their DAC modules with single-ended RCA outputs?

That would be great , if not id use Cardas adapters .

However a digital input would be nice too for the studioplayer
Let the Blu ray DVD audio run through the Wadax DAC... Watch movies

 

[RoyGregory]

That would be great , if not id use Cardas adapters .

However a digital input would be nice too for the studioplayer
Let the Blu ray DVD audio run through the Wadax DAC... Watch movies


View attachment 145411

The last thing I heard was a plan to produce an external module with single-ended outputs and (possibly) a headphone socket - but I wouldn't hold my breath on either details or availability...

 

[matthias]

Wadax says that, "the DAC/Server will be a similar price to the Studio Player, but offer superior performance, while the standalone CD/SACD player will also improve on the disc replay of the one-box unit." As yet, I'm not sure what the disc-to-DAC interface will be...

IIUC, the upcoming Studio DAC will not be a server but probably a Roon endpoint like the Studio Player:

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/attachments/img_0612-png.130458/

The interface seems to be Akasa Optical.
The similar price to the Studio Player might be caused by the Akasa Optical interface which the Studio Player doesn't have.
I am curious in which way it offers superior performance to the Studio Player.

 

[RoyGregory]

IIUC, the upcoming Studio DAC will not be a server but probably a Roon endpoint like the Studio Player:

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/attachments/img_0612-png.130458/

The interface seems to be Akasa Optical.
The similar price to the Studio Player might be caused by the Akasa Optical interface which the Studio Player doesn't have.
I am curious in which way it offers superior performance to the Studio Player.

Matthias,

You are correct: it will be a Streamer/DAC. My mistake - trying to juggle too many plates!

 

[micro13]

@micro13
Just an OT question regarding this thread but anyway:
Did you consider to reduce the box count by upgrading to CH Series 10?
A two-box L10 outperforms the four-box L1, a single M10 outperforms a pair of M1.1s and the C10 outperforms all boxes of C1.2 Dual Monos

At least I did when the C10 came out. But then I learned that the C10 comes without volume control and I'd definitely need a preamp.
I've also thought about upgrading to M10, but now I also have to consider scaling down to 1x M1.1.

 

[micro13]

For me, the most interesting thing here is that in terms of the CH upgrade path you went for the Mono DAC and power supplies, rather than the T1 clock. The Clock adds transparency, focus and organisation. The PSUs add energy, substance and musical presence. So to me that suggests that you already value those aspects of musical presentation that the Studio Player majors on. Drive it through a decent line-stage and you'll maximise its resolution, detail and focus, while adding a healthy dose of musical authority, temporal accuracy and momentum - all things that figure largely in the music you mention. I'd almost go so far as to say that if you appreciate Jordi Savall you are going to also appreciate the Wadax. Their approach to music has a lot in common.

A line-up that ran Studio Player (plus the option of a clock or PSU), L1, X1 and the two M1.1s could be accommodated in a three-high, two-wide rack, massively reducing the visual impact and footprint of the system while - I suspect - giving away surprisingly little in terms of musical qualities and overall enjoyment, arguably substituting an engaging, toe-tapping sense of PRAT for the explicit detail and immediacy of your current set up. Something tells me you are not the only person who will be grappling with this particular challenge, whether on space or performance grounds. Normally, when a really good new product arrives, it's like a pebble hitting the surface of a pond: you can almost see the ripples spreading. In the case of the Studio Player, it's more like someone just heaved a rock into the water!

Thanks for your further thoughts. When I was considering the C1 my dealer got the C1 Mono back from another customer. It was then just a year old and he made me a very tempting offer.
Regarding Jordi Savall, I just listened again to the 5. Symphonie from Beethoven and you're right again, I enjoyed the energy of his intrepretation, especially the last part is extremely powerful.
So I guess you're also right that a combination of Studio Player, L1 + X1 + 1x or 2x M1.1 is even more exciting than my current setup. I like that vision, let's see.