what external DAC would equal a Wadia 301 cd player?

tdangelo · « **on:** 9 Jan 2005, 06:25 pm »

in sound quality that is and preferably less expensive

Thanks

Tony

zybar · « **Reply #1 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 06:26 pm »

Quote from: tdangelo

in sound quality that is and preferably less expensive

Thanks

Tony

Lots!!

How about a budget and some requirements?

George

tdangelo · « **Reply #2 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 06:30 pm »

well I figure I can sell the Wadia for about $2200-2300 so anything less than that. A DAC with balanced outputs would be nice. I'm going to use a Slimdevices Squeezebox for a transport. I really like the sound of the Wadia but wanted to try the Squeezebox/harddrive transport.

Thanks

zybar · « **Reply #3 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 06:36 pm »

Quote from: tdangelo

well I figure I can sell the Wadia for about $2200-2300 so anything less than that. A DAC with balanced outputs would be nice. I'm going to use a Slimdevices Squeezebox for a transport. I really like the sound of the Wadia but wanted to try the Squeezebox/harddrive transport.

Thanks

OK, based on what I have read (not heard), I would check out the Benchmark and Stella dacs.

Personally, I prefer the sound of the Electrocompaniet ECD-1 (both stock and modified) over the Wadia as well.

Not sure what you use as a preamp, but for not much more than your budget, you can get a used Tact preamp (which has a very good dac in it) or try the DEQX. Both of these give you a lot of features that will improve your system in more ways than a new dac can.

Once you have heard "corrected" sound, you will NOT go back!

George

tdangelo · « **Reply #4 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 06:44 pm »

Thanks, thats what I was looking for. I have a BAT VK-3I, Aragon Palladium 1K amps and VMPS RM40's w/TRT's. I was reading about the Tact and may just go that way.

Thanks!

Tony

_scotty_ · « **Reply #5 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 07:14 pm »

Before you sell your Wadia,you might try some direct comparisions with likely replacements just to make sure you are going forward and not sideways or backward on sound quality. Scotty

tdangelo · « **Reply #6 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 07:40 pm »

Thanks, thats what I was looking for. I have a BAT VK-3I, Aragon Palladium 1K amps and VMPS RM40's w/TRT's. I was reading about the Tact and may just go that way.

Thanks!

Tony

Ulas · « **Reply #7 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 08:51 pm »

Tony,
Why do you need a new DAC? Doesn't the Wadia 301 have a S/PDIF input?

tdangelo · « **Reply #8 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 09:53 pm »

all good points

ULAS: no it doesn't - $599 to add a digital input

Thanks

BWentler · « **Reply #9 on:** 9 Jan 2005, 11:16 pm »

Contact Steve at Great Northern Sound Company. I have done alot of business there and will be sending my unit (301) up there for his mods.

Bruce J. Wentler