[a1p1]

With all this talk about cost/benefit of CD players, I'm hoping to get the opinion of those who have heard the Resolution Opus 21, Lessloss DAC 2004 with/without the CEC TL51x transport, and/or Wadia 861se.  Seems a couple of folks have had at least two of these in their systems.  How do you think they compared? These three options are on my short list for a new front end.  First hand experience please. I'd be running it into a SimAudio P-5 pre, W-5 amp and come spring AV123 LS-9s.  Thanks.

[DSK]

Don't know if you are open to the SqueezeBox way of life, but IIRC TomS had both the Opus 21 and the Wadia 861 (with substantial mods by GNSC) and sold both after comparison to his Bolder modded SB/PS combo. Do a search for more detail if you are interested.

[a1p1]

I've searched through past posts and haven't written off the squeezebox, but I'd really like to hear about comparisons between these players.  The Lessloss would seem to have some advantage in that I'd have the option of potentially changing the transport down the road.  Resolution Audio has also launched their IXS streaming device which uses the same BB 1704 DAC.  Anyone heard both the Lessloss DAC/CEC TL51X and the Opus 21?

[lonewolfny42]

Mike Smith ....an AC member here, has a review of the Lessloss on 6moons..

You might send him a PM... (miklorsmith)

[TomS]

Yes, I did have both the Opus 21 GNSC Reference briefly and Wadia 861SE GNSC for quite awhile.  I now have the Bolder SB2 with Ultimate Nirvana supply and would never return to either one of the others, based on the value proposition.  I'm sure I've posted on both before, so you might do a search there for more depth.

For the most part the Wadia GNSC was an extraordinary player, that revealed amazing detail and spatial information I didn't think possible in redbook CD.  The Opus is just a more organic and smooth sounding piece at the expense of some of that inner information.  Many would think the Wadia to be too much, but I think it was simply quite true to what was there.  The Opus is one most could live with for a long time, not realizing there might be something as different and startling as the Wadia, though some might not think of the 861 as "better".  It's all a matter of taste.  FWIW Steve seemed to think the new 581 multiformat series may actually be a step backward from the 861 as the SE transport is no more.  The Bolder is closer to the Opus than the Wadia, though the Nirvana upgrade seems to be getting closer with the amount of information it extracts - just amazing.

I wish I had a chance to hear a Lessloss as it's always been on my audition list, but never had the opportunity.  The other on the shortlist in that league ought to be the Empirical Audio stuff.  Hope this helps.

Tom

[a1p1]

TomS - Thanks for your take on the players.  I might give Steve at GNSC a call to get his opinion as well as details on his mods for these two.  Lonewolfny42 - Thanks for the link; good read.

[paul canady]

If the Lessloss DAC is anything like there power cord than I think it would be a winner. I thought I had some really good power cords and took a chance with Lessloss based on a few reviews and some personal emails from other users regarding there filtering power cable. It paid off in a big way so I ordered another. I would at least try one of the power cords before the price jumps up. I really think the Lessloss group is onto something and I hear that there power line conditioner that is coming out is very impressive. They were out in the U.S. touring with the cord and PLC and received very good grades. The PLC will be made with all Oyaide outlets and I think the carbon fiber plates. To me the power cord is so impressive that I will probably wait for the PLC to come out before doing anything else.  Hats off to the Lessloss group.