Wadax Studio Player Review

[Elliot G.]

OK so I have the Wadax Studio Player hooked up to a new Marantz series 10 integrated that I borrowed from my partners business since some of my orders have not yet arrived and connected to ML 13's electro stats.
Its been playing a week or so and yesterday there was another software update on the WSP. I know not what was done, everyone is in Munich so I don't want to bother them but WOWSA this thing is something else. I have never heard these speakers sound this natural. One of my clients did it as well and he is blown away.

I know this sounds like a commercial but the WSP is insanely good and this is with a standard ethernet cable and theta level Shunyata cables.
Hell yeah!!!

 

[divertiti]

There was a software update yesterday #60. I am not sure what it was for or supposed to accomplish since everyone is in Munich but I can tell you that it made me happy. The few of us that have them, and I know, all think its even better. Bravo

It's kind of crazy that the developers of $4.99 apps will provide detailed change log of their updates, yet manufactures of audio gear costing the same as a car cannot be bothered to communicate or publish what each firmware iteration changes. To be fair this is not a behavior/attitude isolated to Wadax, it's just disheartening to see it over-represented in this industry.

 

[Elliot G.]

It's kind of crazy that the developers of $4.99 apps will provide detailed change log of their updates, yet manufactures of audio gear costing the same as a car cannot be bothered to communicate or publish what each firmware iteration changes. To be fair this is not a behavior/attitude isolated to Wadax, it's just disheartening to see it over-represented in this industry.

These are all very small companies unlike the apps which are owned by huge companies .i don’t get what’s disheartening when the product you own ( which I do and you don’t) gets updated with no issue and no cost ! My what a tragedy !

 

[Elliot G.]

These are all very small companies unlike the apps which are owned by huge companies .i don’t get what’s disheartening when the product you own ( which I do and you don’t) gets updated with no issue and no cost ! My what a tragedy !

And on top of this for the last few weeks all these small companies have busted their butts to get ready for the largest show in the world only a few weeks after the largest show in the US
They are doing their best but they aren’t a 5 buck app owned by Apple

 

[divertiti]

These are all very small companies unlike the apps which are owned by huge companies

Are these companies smaller than one single person? This is the 20 page update log of a game you can buy in the app store right now for $4.99, created entirely by one single person (from scratch, no AI). He does all the programming, art, writing, composition of the soundtrack (which you can stream on both Qobuz and Tidal), distribution, finance. 9 years after the game launched, this is still the level of care and passion he pours into sharing what has changed with each update. It conveys pride in his creation and respect for the user base.

Communicating to the user transparently when you change the product they have purchased is literally the bare minimum. It builds trust.

They are doing their best but they aren’t a 5 buck app owned by Apple

I guess today is a good day to find out not all apps are owned and developed by Apple...

the product you own ( which I do and you don’t)

Please explain how and why you claim to have knowledge of what I do or do not personally own

gets updated with no issue and no cost

On what basis are you claiming there is "no issue" with this update when you self proclaimed to have not a shred of idea on what has been updated? Have you sat there and gone through every single function of the component in their entirety and compared it to before the update? Are the users meant comb through every possible permutation of button presses to learn what has been changed in the product they purchased with each update? What has been added, what has been removed, what works differently now? Or maybe the users are simply supposed guess and use their imagination???

And on top of this for the last few weeks all these small companies have busted their butts to get ready for the largest show in the world only a few weeks after the largest show in the US

This product has been out for a year, Reference 5 years, there is still not even a section on the website for this.

My what a tragedy !

The real tragedy is that I love this hobby and Wadax makes a phenomenally performant product, yet this is the only industry where this topic is somehow mind bogglingly controversial. The only thing more baffling than keeping users in the dark on what's been changed in their purchased product is the fact that you can always count on someone in the community jumping in to try to defend and normalize this behavior. Perhaps this is why brands think it's okay, that the users don't really deserve to know.

Telling someone who just spent the median annual income of the country on a piece of gear that they have no right to know what has been changed in their purchase, and they should just shut up and be thankful is an absolutely wild sentiment. No wonder to the society at large, our hobby and community has earned certain unflattering connotations. It truly is a tragedy.

 

[Al M.]

Are these companies smaller than one single person? This is the 20 page update log of a game you can buy in the app store right now for $4.99, created entirely by one single person (from scratch, no AI). He does all the programming, art, writing, composition of the soundtrack (which you can stream on both Qobuz and Tidal), distribution, finance. 9 years after the game launched, this is still the level of care and passion he pours into sharing what has changed with each update. It conveys pride in his creation and respect for the user base.

Communicating to the user transparently when you change the product they have purchased is literally the bare minimum. It builds trust.


I guess today is a good day to find out not all apps are owned and developed by Apple...


Please explain how and why you claim to have knowledge of what I do or do not personally own


On what basis are you claiming there is "no issue" with this update when you self proclaimed to have not a shred of idea on what has been updated? Have you sat there and gone through every single function of the component in their entirety and compared it to before the update? Are the users meant comb through every possible permutation of button presses to learn what has been changed in the product they purchased with each update? What has been added, what has been removed, what works differently now? Or maybe the users are simply supposed guess and use their imagination???


This product has been out for a year, Reference 5 years, there is still not even a section on the website for this.


The real tragedy is that I love this hobby and Wadax makes a phenomenally performant product, yet this is the only industry where this topic is somehow mind bogglingly controversial. The only thing more baffling than keeping users in the dark on what's been changed in their purchased product is the fact that you can always count on someone in the community jumping in to try to defend and normalize this behavior. Perhaps this is why brands think it's okay, that the users don't really deserve to know.

Telling someone who just spent the median annual income of the country on a piece of gear that they have no right to know what has been changed in their purchase, and they should just shut up and be thankful is an absolutely wild sentiment. No wonder to the society at large, our hobby and community has earned certain unflattering connotations. It truly is a tragedy.

Great post.

I totally agree. There is no excuse, no matter how much the fanboys want to downplay the issue.

 

[thedudeabides]

No wonder to the society at large, our hobby and community has earned certain unflattering connotations. It truly is a tragedy.

Indeed. Arrogance. A hideous / obscene pricing model. And frequented by wealthy people. Not to worry though. Once the current set of people who buy these products get old and fade away, which is not too far away, hi end audio as we know it today will cease to exist. Tragedy? Above my pay grade to answer.

 

[Charles S]

I would beg to disagree. The young man who sold me my streaming system turns out to be incredibly knowledgeable and interested in the ultra high end. My audiophile buddy, age about 45, is acquiring money and his Rose 151 streamer is waiting on him after he returns from vacation. We talk all the time, probably 5 times weekly, about nothing but high end gear. He's going to purchase a Wilson Sasha soon. Respectfully, the high end will continue to be alive and well, long after you and I are gone. I am glad for this.

 

[Elliot G.]

So after checking my unit and those of the lucky clients that have Studio Players all of us are thrilled with the result and have no issues. The updates which brought Qobuz connect seem to work seamlessly and sound terrific. The sound is far better than Tidal connect and I probably will drop Tidal. There are a bunch of Studio Players at MOC like Axpona before and all the reports that I have received are super positive. Perhaps the identification of updates could and should be better but the result IMO is not an issue at all. I know that the requests from exhibitors to use one were way to many to grant.

 

[Elliot G.]

wadax stack

 

[divertiti]

Indeed. Arrogance. A hideous / obscene pricing model. And frequented by wealthy people. Not to worry though. Once the current set of people who buy these products get old and fade away, which is not too far away, hi end audio as we know it today will cease to exist. Tragedy? Above my pay grade to answer.

I would beg to disagree. The young man who sold me my streaming system turns out to be incredibly knowledgeable and interested in the ultra high end. My audiophile buddy, age about 45, is acquiring money and his Rose 151 streamer is waiting on him after he returns from vacation. We talk all the time, probably 5 times weekly, about nothing but high end gear. He's going to purchase a Wilson Sasha soon. Respectfully, the high end will continue to be alive and well, long after you and I are gone. I am glad for this.

High end will be just fine, there will always be people with money, and high end audio is an amazing experience. It's just a shame that there are elements in our wonderful hobby that doesn't portray it at its best, it prevents more people from being open to discover the joys of our mutual passion.

So after checking my unit and those of the lucky clients that have Studio Players all of us are thrilled with the result and have no issues. The updates which brought Qobuz connect seem to work seamlessly and sound terrific.

What are you so thrilled with? What's different with update 60 that got you so thrilled vs. 59? Qobuz connect was update 58, which was also not communicated. What are you thrilled with in 59 and 60? The fact that you continue to spin the narrative and try to trivialize the issue is extremely disconcerting.

There are a bunch of Studio Players at MOC like Axpona before and all the reports that I have received are super positive. Perhaps the identification of updates could and should be better but the result IMO is not an issue at all. I know that the requests from exhibitors to use one were way to many to grant.

The product being shown at shows is completely irrelevant to the discussion at hand. For someone with a vested financial interest in the product to try and gaslight the community into thinking this type of behavior is normal and acceptable is not okay. To try using sarcasm to shame people who bring up the issue into staying quiet is not okay. This is not a good look or representation for the brand and it's objectively not good for the community as a whole.

 

[Stereophonic]

wadax stack

Too much meat on the bones for those speakers. Just my 2 cents.
Room is huge !!!!

 

[Elliot G.]

Too much meat on the bones for those speakers. Just my 2 cents.
Room is huge !!!!

I am not in Munich this year but that room is the same or similar size to the majority of rooms upstairs. I did not feel that the size of the rooms was an issue, set up and gear perhaps however Magico usually does a very good job in their displays.

 

[Elliot G.]

High end will be just fine, there will always be people with money, and high end audio is an amazing experience. It's just a shame that there are elements in our wonderful hobby that doesn't portray it at its best, it prevents more people from being open to discover the joys of our mutual passion.


What are you so thrilled with? What's different with update 60 that got you so thrilled vs. 59? Qobuz connect was update 58, which was also not communicated. What are you thrilled with in 59 and 60? The fact that you continue to spin the narrative and try to trivialize the issue is extremely disconcerting.


The product being shown at shows is completely irrelevant to the discussion at hand. For someone with a vested financial interest in the product to try and gaslight the community into thinking this type of behavior is normal and acceptable is not okay. To try using sarcasm to shame people who bring up the issue into staying quiet is not okay. This is not a good look or representation for the brand and it's objectively not good for the community as a whole.

the fact that I don't care about your pet peeve is not a narrative. I always love when people think they know me or my motives or what my intentions are. You have your opinion fine that does not mean that anyone has to agree with you. I am not shaming you but you certainly are triggered.
If i was trying to shame you trust me you would know. BTW you don't speak for any community only yourself so don't trip getting off the soapbox.

 

[divertiti]

the fact that I don't care about your pet peeve is not a narrative. I always love when people think they know me or my motives or what my intentions are. You have your opinion fine that does not mean that anyone has to agree with you. I am not shaming you but you certainly are triggered.
If i was trying to shame you trust me you would know. BTW you don't speak for any community only yourself so don't trip getting off the soapbox.

I could not be less interested in what you care about. People don't need to "think they know" who you are, they only need to observe your conduct and your actions.

This started as I pointed out that that it's crazy a product demanding such a large sum would neglect to provide the most basic communication while it's table stakes else where. You chose to respond with one false claim after another trying to dismiss the issue with misinformation. Claiming to know whether I own the product, claiming apps that can provide this basic communication must be owned by Apple, declaring that there is "no issue" with the update without even knowing what the update is, trying to blame it on audio shows. It all ends with a strawman fallacy sarcastically calling it a "tragedy" to paint the issue somehow ridiculous and not worth discussing. This is categorically disingenuous conduct.

It would have been very easy for me to save myself the typing to let it slide, but I care about our hobby and forum enough to feel an obligation in calling it out and provide factual information. The fact that to this moment you continue to try and reduce an important aspect of fundamental user experience of a high end product as a "pet peeve" underscores this necessity. If you want to tell yourself that I don't speak for any community, why don't you take a look under my post and then under yours. How many people agree with you?

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Mountains out of molehills.

I think when actual paying customers complain then bring out the tar and feathers. If you enjoy indignation so much that is the time for it.

 

[divertiti]

Mountains out of molehills.

I think when actual paying customers complain then bring out the tar and feathers. If you enjoy indignation so much that is the time for it.

Pray tell how much does one have to pay for the distinct privilege posting their opinion on the Wadax discussion forum? Once paid maybe we can then move the goal post to reserve that privilege only for people who have the deep pockets for the full Reference stack. Maybe us mere mortals should indeed learn to enjoy indignation, for it is so freely given around these parts.

Out of respect for the decorum of WBF, I shall disengage from this back and forth. I said my piece and so did other members.

Thank you both for the warm welcome of a first time Wadax owner. It has been a very enlightening exchange on the ownership experience.

 

[Mike Lavigne]

Pray tell how much does one have to pay for the distinct privilege posting their opinion on the Wadax discussion forum? Once paid maybe we can then move the goal post to reserve that privilege only for people who have the deep pockets for the full Reference stack. Maybe us mere mortals should indeed learn to enjoy indignation, for it is so freely given around these parts.

Out of respect for the decorum of WBF, I shall disengage from this back and forth. I said my piece and so did other members.

Thank you both for the warm welcome of a first time Wadax owner. It has been a very enlightening exchange on the ownership experience.

and how would i know you are a Wadax Studio owner? before i posted i looked at your posts and your member info and did not see you post about that or disclose that. which is your choice. there is no requirement to tell us about your gear. but if you take strong positions then others are going to try and understand why you feel that way. part of that is your system details. i would not have posted what i posted if i knew that.

and for sure, welcome to Wadax. just because i give Wadax more credit for what they do do than you, does not make me right and you wrong. we just disagree. i think their communications to owners maybe could use some work but am ok with it. maybe after owning Wadax for 3 years i am more tolerant......i can see a new Wadax owner not wanting to give the benefit of the doubt. hopefully your Wadax dealer is working with you regarding your concerns. i assume as strong as you feel about this that you have reached out to him/her.

 

[thedudeabides]

High end will be just fine, there will always be people with money, and high end audio is an amazing experience.

Indeed. Arrogance. A hideous / obscene pricing model. And frequented by wealthy people. Not to worry though. Once the current set of people who buy these products get old and fade away, which is not too far away, hi end audio as we know it today will cease to exist. Tragedy? Above my pay grade to answer.

Watch Post 19 of the "Munich Video thread 2025". OP is Bonzo. Hopkins is the poster. What do you see? Majority of crowd consists of older males with balding heads, grey hair, or both. Anecdotal yes but underscores my "age" comment. Not catering to a younger demographic. One of the biggest marketing failures of high end audio which, In my view, will the main reason for its demise.

 

[MarkusBarkus]

I think when actual paying customers complain then bring out the tar and feathers.

...the adjacent point to this is software changes that address known bugs.

Typically, those fixes/changes are noted in release notes. Sometimes they are driven by customer requests, or complaints. Sometimes they are enhancements that have been on the dev roadmap for some period of time.

That said, it is not always the case that detailed release notes are provided to end users/customers. That some here are making the case that they *should* be provided is understandable, but that is an opinion and not necessarily a generic software *obligation* in the process.

I think it depends on the nature and origin of the change, to some extent. And the company philosophy, perhaps.

If users are requesting a button that makes a fart noise when activated, a company will likely note when that feature has been added.

On the other hand, if the company has been working on a refinement (fix) for some sort of error logging, signal handling (I'm making these example up, of course) that uses less energy, etc. it may not publish those changes because:

--it reveals coveted knowledge.
--it reveals an issue you didn't even know existed, and was an edge-case.
--you wouldn't understand the details.
--they don't have resources to edit/scrub release notes for user-appropriate content.

In a perfect world, all comms would be perfect. Transparent. Factual. Beautifully written. In the real world, sometimes they fall short of that ideal, IMO.