Initial impressions - Wadia 301 Player

BlueMDPicker

After much reading research, I finally decided the upgrade path for my Red Book CD playback would be a Wadia. The unique combination of in-house developed and patented digital technologies deployed in their players is remarkable. The price of their current production models is, likewise, remarkable. So, I went to the used market where I found a one owner, dead mint 301 model for 40% of MSRP. It was sent to Wadia for a complete checkup before I took possession and passed with flying colors.

The 301 employs Pioneer's Stable Platter transport which takes the disc, label down, on a fully supported turntable versus the spindle drive found in most transports. Combined with Wadia's patented ClockLink technology (the master clock is in the DAC section), all sources of sonically degrading jitter are effectively eliminated.

My first listening session (Larry Carlton's 'Sapphire Blue') was quite a shock. I have a few respectable players in the house and had someone tried to tell me what I was to experience I don't think I would have believed it. The amount of detail and dynamics I've been missing is HUGE. There is nothing subtle about the differences. This player is transparent, finely detailed and absent coloration that I didn't know existed, until it was gone. Bass control, as well as separation and imaging in the soundstage, improved exponentially. This from the "entry level" of Wadia's lineup!

My experiences with this player are as engaging as quality vinyl playback--again, something I probably would not have believed if told. I suppose the only bad news is that I've taken a quantum step from which there is little hope of return to lesser players. Ah, the joys of the hobby!

amulford

Oh, cool. Are you using the DAC in the Wadia?

TroyD

Ok, I've got your addy....just need to know what time of day the house is most likely to be unoccupied.

NICE grab. Local shop here in town (since gone tango uniform) used to have a Wadia hooked up to a CJ pre/amp and a pair of Maggie 3.6's. Awesome stuff there.

BDT

dorokusai

If you think that's nice, try a 561

Great CDP, have fun Mike.

halo

Very :cool: Mike. Looks and performance, what more could you want? Njoy the new toy

BlueMDPicker

Anthony - Thanks! Using all onboard circuitry and running fully balanced start to finish. This model is still upgradable to digital inputs, but I won't be doing that.

Sean - Yeah, at MSRP, there's quite a trove in this particular system. The only pieces that weren't purchased used/dealer demo are the UPC-200 and a few ICs. I think I'm done! (Well, at least with this setup--now, on to the ESL hybrid system.)

Troy - Thanks! I had to do something to become a draw on the next road trip.

Mark - You know it on the 561 (or, for that matter, the 270se). I'm staying away from Soundworks.

Victor - Thanks! It is a thing of beauty. Wadia makes their chassis out of a solid block of aluminum and has pioneered a vast amount of resonance deadening technologies.

AndyGwis

Solid player! (literally I guess)

zombie boy 2000

My God Blue! I think you're playing in the majors now. Congrats.

haimoc

What a beautiful CD player that you have. Congratulations.

TroyD

Mike, don't kid yourself. Sandy is the real draw.

The kicker is that Hotel V is sorta like 7-11, open all night.

BDT

BlueMDPicker

Zero wrote:

Hmm is there a chance say, that I could stop by and check all this out one day? (hint hint).

Sure, anytime you're in the area give me a shout.

TroyD wrote:

Mike, don't kid yourself. Sandy is the real draw.

Don't stand her up again. She can get mean!

reeltrouble1

BlueMDPicker wrote:

Anthony - Thanks! Using all onboard circuitry and running fully balanced start to finish.

But me down with the Balanced is Better gang.

Congrats on the Wadia, glad to hear your really diggin it.

RT1

halo

BlueMDPicker wrote:

Norm - Thanks! It is a thing of beauty. Wadia makes their chassis out of a solid block of aluminum and has pioneered a vast amount of resonance deadening technologies.

Halo = Victor. Normanality = Norm.

TroyD

BlueMDPicker wrote:

Don't stand her up again. She can get mean!

Not by intention for sure but I also have one of those to answer to

BDT

ND13

haimoc wrote:

What a beautiful CD player that you have. Congratulations.

Yeah...Wadia he said^^^

BlueMDPicker

Halo wrote:

Halo = Victor. Normanality = Norm.

Ooops...sorry Victor!

halo

S'ok Mike Did the sig throw ya?

F1nut

Nice! Something else I get to listen to next time I'm over.

amulford

I'm tellin ya. I have to get down there and get my ear on some of this high falutin' stuff...

schwarcw

WOW! Congrats on the Wadia! It's nice to be surprised by something in a good way!:D Happy listening!

DarqueKnight

Excellent choice! Enjoy.:D

smglbrth

Very nice Blue, very nice indeed! Merry Christmas to you!!

BlueMDPicker

F1nut wrote:

Nice! Something else I get to listen to next time I'm over.

You know you're always welcome here.

BlueMDPicker

amulford wrote:

I'm tellin ya. I have to get down there and get my ear on some of this high falutin' stuff...

Slip on down here anytime, Anthony. You might be surprised at some of the things we have in common besides being audio crazies.

BlueMDPicker

Thanks Carl, Raife and smglbrth. I know you have family in the area and hope you can make it by sometime soon, Carl. Also looking forward to meeting you, Raife, if your travels bring you north early next year.

Man, I love this PS Audio GCP-200! It dawned on me this morning that I can configure any input as an HT bypass. The 301 is actually designed to work at its best sans preamp. So, I just configured my balanced input 1 to HT bypass and took all the GCP-200's volume and balance circuitry out of the chain for the Wadia. Because I'm using an active crossover/amp, I still need the preamp for the phono stage/turntable and satellite radio. This works perfectly now with everything without moving a single IC. :cool:

halo

Since no one else said it...I call DIBS when / if you sell it Mike

schwarcw

BlueMDPicker wrote:

I know you have family in the area and hope you can make it by sometime soon, Carl.

Thanks Mike! I may be in your area between Xmas and New Years. I'll give you lots of advance warning.

Carl

SCompRacer

Awesome gear Mike. You be 'stylin too. Nice design.

BlueMDPicker

schwarcw wrote:

Thanks Mike! I may be in your area between Xmas and New Years. I'll give you lots of advance warning.

Carl

Cool!

BlueMDPicker

SCompRacer wrote:

Awesome gear Mike. You be 'stylin too. Nice design.

Thanks!

Say, I finally invested a bit of time in the Isis system last night. The past few listening sessions I've been up and down fiddling with the panel EQ settings a lot. It seemed about half of what I listened to was too bright, forward. I moved my EE Minimax CDP into the mix (versus the Shanling). Then, I decided to take the control fully clockwise and work back. At 4 o'clock on the control I stopped fiddling. I have my bass attenuation on the xover set to 3 o'clock. After spending a lot time with the Revel system, I need the extra bass.

SCompRacer

BlueMDPicker wrote:

At 4 o'clock on the control I stopped fiddling. I have my bass attenuation on the xover set to 3 o'clock.

I ended up with Norm's Marchand XM44 after he went back to the second design Innersound bass amp/active xover with a Sander's panel amp. (A very fine combination). I am also at 3 o'clock on the bass. Boost is at 2 o'clock and the panels are at 2 to 3 o'clock. Still on tubes, top and bottom.

That lazy Norm doesn't have to get up if he chooses to adjust bass/mids. Does it by remote. And he has the nerve to laugh at me if I get up to adjust mine.

Your Isis in a big room? My Eros are in a 15' x 18' area open to the main level with 14' ceilings throughout.