Wadia 170iTransport
Modification Descriptions, Prices, & OptionsIntroduction:The Wadia 170iTransport is another product that Wadia can put on their resume of "industry firsts". The
first to extract bit perfect digital audio out of a iPod/touch (or iphone) is surely an industry accomplishment.
ASi first got a look at the 170i at CES 2008 and we were eager to get one of these units to implement into
our new DS1 100% digital system that we were in the midst of designing at the time. When we first received
our unit it did not take more than a minute of listening to uncompressed WAV files to understand the
potential of this innovative digital playback component. Many hours of circuit studying, listening tests and
comparisons went into play to design the modifications that we feel will rocket the performance of your
system to the highest level. Hence we came up with an affordable upgrade package that will satisfy any
listener using the 170i in their system. We also developed some premium options for the most demanding
audiophile purists out there that will use this with their reference systems.
We had many customers ask us about this product and also outboard Digital to Analog recommendations.
Our theory is "closest circuit path is always the best for sound". So what does this mean? KISS = Keep It
Simple Stupid ! No expensive digital cables, no expensive power cables or extra power supply noise! Even
more importantly though, no extra connections, eddy currents, impedance, inductance, EMI/RFI, etc....
Basically, no extra added in "crap". So with this theory in mind, we engineered (ok, hardwired...) our ultra
high performance DAC board (an optional premium upgrade) into the 170i to accept digital signals from
either the iPod itself or from the a newly added digital input connection (hook up your CD player, cablebox,
PC audio, whatever!) and transformer coupled the output stage right to the RCA analog outputs (now
isolated from the iPod pass through section). Performance is now absolutely stunning to say the least.
This topology was completely optimal over using any external DAC I have ever tried. Also any stock
megabuck CD player that we have heard wouldn't be close to this sound either!
If your are looking for State of the Art performance using not only your lossless audio files on your iPod or
any reference digital source you might have, you owe it to yourself to save many thousands of dollars on
unnecessary gear and get your Wadia 170i modified to the ASi "No Limits" Level today!!!
Modification Package
$395 Installed/Shipped
Send your iTransport in for mods, 1 week turnaround
Please send email to: asi_tek@yahoo.com for any questions and/or modification scheduling.Modification Package Descriptions
Power Supply upgrade/replacement-Replace the stock Wadia supplied Switching power supply with a much heavier duty
version that is modified inside with ultra fast diode rectifiers and voltage rail capacitors are
replace with ultra low impedance Rubycon capacitors. This power supply has a IEC plug on it so
now you can use your "audiophile grade" power cables with your Wadia 170i.
NOTE:
You must send the Wadia in-line power supply with the unit as we use the 3pin
cord to mate onto the new modified power supply.
Ultra Low impedance Rubycon capacitor replacements-We replace an abundance of the cheap SMD style board voltage rail decoupling
capacitors in all critical areas of the 170i to the ultra low impedance Rubycon capacitors! .
Very Nice improvement! A HUGE change in total sonic tonality and character.
The stock capacitors are very poor in comparison of the factors of impedance and ripple
current & will not let you realize the full potential of this unit!
DEXA UWB (Ultra Wide Bandwidth) Ultra Low Noise Voltage Regulators-The DEXA UWB Regulator is a high end ultra low noise replacement to the OEM SMD
+5vdc & +3.3vdc voltage regulators used to regulate DC voltage in the 170i transport.
Unfortunately the OEM SMD regulators have very poor noise performance. Especially
since there are noise sources around the OEM regulators, like ripple or load fluctuations.
In comparison to all the OEM regulators, the UWB's have more than 100 times better
ripple rejection, 10 times lower noise, and no line and load regulation error.
The result is a drastic improvement across the entire spectrum and more dynamic range.
A complete eye opening improvement!
Internal Wood Damping-Apply natural maple wood to specific areas to minimalize the amount of internal vibrations
and ringing. The bottom cover of the 170i is very resonant and applying wood there and
some other areas as well made all the difference in performance! The unit has a more solid feel to it.
High Quality Vampire RCA Connectors for Digital output-We replace this stock flimsy digital output RCA connector with a very high
quality Vampire RCA jack mounted onto the chassis of the rear of the 170i to vastly
improve the signal integrity and rigidity over the stock jack!! This output is also enhanced
as its wired via Silver Wire from the digital output section. This is a must!!
NO LIMITS!!!!!
ASi can turn your Wadia 170iTransport into a
"State of the Art" Digital to Analog Converter!
For under $1600 (total investment!!) you will
have a world class lossless audio playback
and DAC system built into one nice little box!
Save your money & time and enjoy the music
with the ASi "NO LIMITS" version of the 170i.
Forget those expensive digital cables, power
cables & stock outboard DAC's! We have a
MUCH better sounding solution, that fits right
inside the Wadia 170i!! Also DIGITAL INPUT!!!
Modification Package with ASi "NO LIMITS" DAC Board
$1195 Installed/Shipped
Send your iTransport in for mods/rebuild. 2-3 week turnaround
ASi "NO LIMITS" Ultra High Performance DAC Output Section-The shortest signal path is the best path for the best sound! This is our theory and we make
it a realization by adding a custom "state of the art" digital to analog output stage board
inside the Wadia 170iTransport. This now allows the Wadia 170iTransport to be directly
connected into a preamplifier, integrated or receiver and the extra costs of additional
cabling and outboard DAC are now not needed. Details of the DAC board upgrade include
the finest sounding flagship 24/192khz D-A converters, ASi custom Silver Wire and cotton
tubing for all wiring purposes and the finest quality audio signal coupling transformers.
There are no signal resistors, no signal coupling capacitors or any other such part in the
signal path for the purest sound possible!!!!!
Here are the functional changes of the unit with this drastic upgrade:Digital output RCA jack is now a Digital Input RCA jackConnect any other digital device (ie: PC Audio, CD player, etc..) into the ASi Modified
iTransport for unbelievable performance!
Switch installed to select between "Ipod digital audio" and External Digital AudioSwitch is installed on the rear, flip the switch up and you will enjoy the digital audio from your
ipod unit, flip it down to use the "digital input" connector from any spdif source.
Analog "pass through" outputs are now the ASi DAC stage outputsThe standard "pass through" circuits are removed completely and the isolated RCA jacks
are the new audio output jacks. These are the only "audio out" jacks on the unit after this
upgrade.
All video output jacks work the same as a stock unit.
There are no software changes or any compatibility issues with the ipod section.
COMING SOON!
Lets take the Wadia 170i even further!ASi BPS "Battery Power Solution" for Wadia 170iImagine your Wadia 170iTransport operating on a complete
optimal battery power supply, for days! The BPS will come
standard in aluminum enclosure with the option for a custom
made beautiful wood enclosure. This battery supply can also
double as a Wadia 170i isolation platform! Play your music
through your iPod and/or the ASi "NO LIMITS" DAC section
completely off the grid using a "properly" designed battery
supply for breathtaking performance.
Can be added at any time, whether the unit is modified or not.
Projected release- September 2008
ALSO DEXA D-CLOCK AND BYBEE SLIPSTREAM PURIFIER UPGRADES COMING SOON!Any questions about our Wadia 170i Mods or want to send your unit in for mods?
Please Email us (asi_tek@yahoo.com)or visit our webpage http://www.asi-tek.com/wadia2.html.
