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  #1  
Old 04-10-2012, 07:41 PM
Copper1 Copper1 is offline
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Default Wadia 121 Owners

I'm looking for more input on how good the Wadia 121 is before I pull the trigger.
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  #2  
Old 04-10-2012, 07:45 PM
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Chris: Mine is still burning-in. For that reason, and raw time, I'll be writing something up regarding the Wadia 121 v. the Wyred4Sound DAC-2 this coming weekend.

In the meantime, please note that its function has been flawless with every high res. file that I have thrown at it and the sound is VERY good.
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Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld.
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  #3  
Old 04-10-2012, 08:10 PM
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I'm really enjoying mine so far, it has approx 120 hours on it.
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Old 04-10-2012, 09:33 PM
Ritmo Ritmo is offline
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Old 04-10-2012, 09:40 PM
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I like to see a better power supply.
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  #6  
Old 04-10-2012, 10:17 PM
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metaphacts metaphacts is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Dj_AmTraX View Post
I like to see a better power supply.
What power cord are you using?
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  #7  
Old 04-10-2012, 10:27 PM
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Update: after more burn-in today and tonight's listening session, I have made up my mind: it is the Wyred4Sound DAC-2 that is being sold. The Wadia 121 DAC has emerged as the winner. I am very pleased with the sound. Full write-up this weekend.
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Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld.
Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld

Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon
Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart.
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  #8  
Old 04-10-2012, 10:35 PM
BuffaloBill BuffaloBill is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kfr01 View Post
Update: after more burn-in today and tonight's listening session, I have made up my mind: it is the Wyred4Sound DAC-2 that is being sold. The Wadia 121 DAC has emerged as the winner. I am very pleased with the sound. Full write-up this weekend.
You and Ivan are on the same page.
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  #9  
Old 04-10-2012, 10:40 PM
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tsv_1 tsv_1 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kfr01 View Post
Update: after more burn-in today and tonight's listening session, I have made up my mind: it is the Wyred4Sound DAC-2 that is being sold. The Wadia 121 DAC has emerged as the winner. I am very pleased with the sound. Full write-up this weekend.
Can I ask if there were any specific performance attributes that helped you make your decision?

Inquiring DAC2 owners want to know

BTW, my DAC2 (which I've owned for many months now) has been just fantastic in every way. The fact that you and Ivan now have both come to the Wadia conclusion is really saying something very significant about the price/performance of the 121.

Cheers

(p.s. I can wait for your write-up... missed that upon first reading of your post. thanks)
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  #10  
Old 04-10-2012, 10:51 PM
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The very short version is that the midrange and high end were slightly more silky and complete on the Wadia 121 from the get-go. One can tell that Wadia knows what it is doing when it comes to the digital-to-analog algorithm itself. However, the midbass and bass were initially not nearly as strong and well-integrated as those ranges provided by the DAC-2. I was concerned that this would not change over the burn-in due to the huge difference in power supply heft between the DAC-2 and the Wadia 121. Turning up the output voltage on the Wadia 121 (very easy to do based on instructions provided by the manual) and conducting more burn-in gradually caused the midbass and bass to "come up" and integrate with the already-wonderful midrange. Tonight's listening session plastered a smile on my face. It is still there. :-)

Also, tsv_1, as I'll explain in more detail this weekend, I like a lot of user interface features on the Wadia 121 better.
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Listening Room (2 Channel): Vandersteen 5A speakers, Simaudio Moon Neo 400M Mono Block Amplifiers, Esoteric D-07X DAC (preamp) via Apple Mac Mini (Roon), Furman IT-Reference 20i Power Cond., Wireworld.
Listening Room (HT Portion): Vandersteen VCC-5 Center, Vandersteen VSM Signature Surrounds, JL Audio CR1 Crossover, JL Audio f110 v2 Subwoofer, Marantz SR 5010 Receiver, Wireworld

Office: KEF R500 Speakers; Sonos Amp fed by Roon
Family Room: Monitor Audio Silver RX6 speakers, McIntosh MA6600 Integrated Amplifier, Pro-Ject RME 9.1 TT w/ Sumiko Blackbird MC Cart.

Last edited by kfr01; 04-10-2012 at 10:58 PM.
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