Wadax World Premiere at Munich Highend

[Rich J]

I can't give you an answer as almost all the music played was streaming. I did get to see and listen to a disc for a short time. I listened extensively to straming via Tidal in bot the Wadax room ( no preamp) and in the Gobel room with preamp. IMPO this is going to be a very succesful and in high demand item. It has a lot of buzz and I dont know anyone that heard it that walked away without good things to say about the sound.
Until I actually get one and have the chance to do what you are asking I can't

Thank's, very fair comment, still it all looks very favourable, I booked a demo last week and was informed I'd be one of the first in the UK to listen to the Studio Player in a home setting.

My primary focus is on CD/SACD playback, as I only plan to use the Studio Player to listen to discs.

 

[LL21]

Thank's, very fair comment, still it all looks very favourable, I booked a demo last week and was informed I'd be one of the first in the UK to listen to the Studio Player in a home setting.

My primary focus is on CD/SACD playback, as I only plan to use the Studio Player to listen to discs.

Fantastic...look forward to hearing what you think!

 

[Rich J]

Fantastic...look forward to hearing what you think!

My dealer is hoping his demo unit will arrive in the next 6-8 weeks, the anticipation is building.

 

[LL21]

My dealer is hoping his demo unit will arrive in the next 6-8 weeks, the anticipation is building.

I can imagine! I am most intrigued...despite all the wonderful digital out there (TotalDAC, MSB, Lampi, DCS, AC, AN), the one that has captured my attention the most is definitely Wadax. Taiko is another for its server.

 

[Richard449]

Lots of very helpful information in this thread thanks with important future prospects clarified, but I'm intrigued that one of the first services that they've chosen to support is Spotify given its lack of a Hi-Fi service.

 

[WADAX]

Lots of very helpful information in this thread thanks with important future prospects clarified, but I'm intrigued that one of the first services that they've chosen to support is Spotify given its lack of a Hi-Fi service.

Studio Player will be released with Tidal and Spotify because both of those services offer Connect. Connect obviates the need for a third party app, and instead allows connection directly from the streaming provider app. We will be adding more services in the future as Connect becomes available (Qobuz should have it early fall, for example). Connect was chosen for two reasons - simplicity and minimal service needs. We wanted a system anyone in the household could easily connect to, and using the native streaming service app means less connectivity issues and problems.

 

[WADAX]

I wanted to provide an update regarding Studio Player. A number of people have asked about Roon support. While Studio Player will not be a full server and Roon core like our Reference Server, it will be an endpoint. We have submitted all necessary requirements to Roon for certification. While Studio Player may not be Roon ready at first release, the player is fully field updatable, and we will institute Roon as soon as the certification is approved by them. This will be in addition to the connect service already designed into the player as well as UPnP/DLNA.

 

[OZ996]

I wanted to provide an update regarding Studio Player. A number of people have asked about Roon support. While Studio Player will not be a full server and Roon core like our Reference Server, it will be an endpoint. We have submitted all necessary requirements to Roon for certification. While Studio Player may not be Roon ready at first release, the player is fully field updatable, and we will institute Roon as soon as the certification is approved by them. This will be in addition to the connect service already designed into the player as well as UPnP/DLNA.

Great to know about your efforts on Roon certification. Could I ask if the new Studio Player is based on x86 structure or NOT? Thanks.

 

[gleeds]

Studio Player will be released with Tidal and Spotify because both of those services offer Connect. Connect obviates the need for a third party app, and instead allows connection directly from the streaming provider app. We will be adding more services in the future as Connect becomes available (Qobuz should have it early fall, for example). Connect was chosen for two reasons - simplicity and minimal service needs. We wanted a system anyone in the household could easily connect to, and using the native streaming service app means less connectivity issues and problems.

"Connect," streaming access, and "native applications" will replace the need for Roon for those who elect not to store files. In my experience, nothing provides a better user experience than native streaming.

Brandon, I heard and saw the Studio Player in Munich, which was stunning. Congratulations! This model will allow many more music lovers to enjoy Wadax magic!

 

[WADAX]

Great to know about your efforts on Roon certification. Could I ask if the new Studio Player is based on x86 structure or NOT? Thanks.

Hi OZ - Studio Player is not x86 based.

 

[Richard449]

Studio Player will be released with Tidal and Spotify because both of those services offer Connect. Connect obviates the need for a third party app, and instead allows connection directly from the streaming provider app. We will be adding more services in the future as Connect becomes available (Qobuz should have it early fall, for example). Connect was chosen for two reasons - simplicity and minimal service needs. We wanted a system anyone in the household could easily connect to, and using the native streaming service app means less connectivity issues and problems.

Thanks for the update. Any idea when the Studio will be with Importers/Dealers?

 

[WADAX]

Thanks for the update. Any idea when the Studio will be with Importers/Dealers?

Hi Richard -
we plan to start initial shipments this summer and fulfilling dealer and distributor demo orders by beginning of fall.

 

[Richard449]

Hi Richard -
we plan to start initial shipments this summer and fulfilling dealer and distributor demo orders by beginning of fall.

Thanks for the update, I look forward to hearing it soon

 

[Rich J]

As something of a technophobe, I understand it's possible to connect the Studio Player directly to a power amp, in layman's terms is someone able to explain the nature of the volume control mechanism and how it works?. .

 

[Mike Lavigne]

As something of a technophobe, I understand it's possible to connect the Studio Player directly to a power amp, in layman's terms is someone able to explain the nature of the volume control mechanism and how it works?. .

here is what Brandon wrote in post #100 that answers your question. he does not make it clear what type of attenuation it uses, but from reading this it seems like it's an analog attenuation. he will have to clarify beyond this.

>>>>The Player, as demonstrated in Munich, offers a built-in volume control so you can use it like a preamplifier. The volume can be controlled from the unit remote, or if you are streaming, from the device running the streaming app (for example, if I am streaming Tidal from my iPad, I can use the volume control on the iPad to control Studio Player).<<<<<

 

[Rich J]

here is what Brandon wrote in post #100 that answers your question. he does not make it clear what type of attenuation it uses, but from reading this it seems like it's an analog attenuation. he will have to clarify beyond this.

>>>>The Player, as demonstrated in Munich, offers a built-in volume control so you can use it like a preamplifier. The volume can be controlled from the unit remote, or if you are streaming, from the device running the streaming app (for example, if I am streaming Tidal from my iPad, I can use the volume control on the iPad to control Studio Player).<<<<<

Thank you Mike, I had read Brandon's explanation earlier in the thread, I also recall reading somewhere that Wadax have developed a unique method of attenuating the volume on The Studio Player, whilst I don't recall the article going into any technical detail, it did peak my interest as to whether the volume control had been implemented within the analogue or digital domain and whether the Attenuation method was proprietary.

 

[Rich J]

I hope to be able to demo the Studio Player in the not too distant future, my retailer here in the UK, Richard from Lotus HiFi has just posted an update on his web page.

https://www.lotushifi.co.uk/wadax-studio-player-uk-demos-imminent/

 

[thomask]

I had been impressed with Wadax Reference whose price is a little bit too steep.

Studio seems to be priced more reasonably.

I will try to jump at the chance for home audition with help of my friend Ed of Ultra.

Studio • Player

NEW—WADAX Studio Player—a single chassis SACD/CD, DAC, and Streamer with trickle-down DNA from its Flagship DAC. Hear it now, guaranteed performance!

audio-ultra.com

 

[Mike Lavigne]

I had been impressed with Wadax Reference whose price is a little bit too steep.

Studio seems to be priced more reasonably.

I will try to jump at the chance for home audition with help of my friend Ed of Ultra.

i'd love to hear that too.

hope maybe they have one for the Pacific Audio Fest in September in Seattle....only 70 days away now.

 

[Gary Lee]

I received my Wadax Studio Player last week.

With the latest firmware #36, I am able to use the Player as a UPnP renderer, i.e. playing music files from a NAS / Music Server.