I would also like to chime in also on behave of Steve Huntley and GNSC.
I own a Wadia 860 and was at a cross roads as far as digital playback was concerned. Did I want to go with SACD, or a player from one of the European companies or get my Wadia upgraded? I talked with Steve at great lengths through phone calls and e-mails. During our many conversations I learned that Steve had upgraded all of the players I was considering other then the AA MKII which had only been out for a very short time. Steve told me his thoughts of the strengths and weaknesses of each player before and after his upgrades. I made the decision to go with the upgrade on the Wadia. I also asked Steve to upgrade my player to an 861. I know for a fact Steve used up a few favors getting the 861 board from Wadia.
I have had the pleasure of listening to all of the other players I had considered buying (stock units not modified by GNSC) The latest EMC1, The AA MKII, Audiomeca Mephisto 2, Accuphase 85 and the Linn CD12. I think my Wadia Statement 861 is more musical then all of the them. It just does everything right.
Here is a letter I sent to Steve after the break in process
To: 'Great Northern Sound Co.'
Sent: October 2002
Subject: Wadia Statement upgrade
Steve,
I have not had a chance to get back to you since you finished the Statement upgrade on my Wadia 861. Right out of the box I noticed improved dynamics.
After the burn in /break in process these are some of the improvements I noticed with the Statement unit. .The soundstage is huge and deep. The size of the recorded space, regardless of recordings is a snap to gauge, and the placement of the voice’s are rock-solid, with dimensionality that’s the best I’ve heard. The individual instruments and voices are more defined. The low level detail is incredible; I hear things in my CD’s I have not heard before.
The Wadia had a black back ground before, well Steve I had not heard it to this degree.
The vocals are more truthful, they seem to just hang in space, and voices are vivid, layered, coherent and defined, Chesty and full.
The highs are very clear, clean and airy; with the ability to convey the naturalness of the recording with uncanny ease. There is absolutely no edge. The mids have been flushed out more; they are lush, rich and defined. The point of impact of the instruments and then the long decay is just so right. The bass is heartier then before. It is nimble, energetic with fullness, texture, and body.
Before the statement upgrade my system had what I would call a large envelope, now Steve it has a huge envelope and I am in that envelope.
I had long ago regulated some of my CD’s to car only CD’s. After the Statement upgrade I have since pulled some of these out and have been listening to them not only are then now listenable they sound wonderful.
Steve I am not sure if digital can be taken much farther but, if it can you will be the one to do it! And if you do sign me up!
If you ever need a referral to the quality of your work, and your professionalism please have them get in touch with me. I am clearly one satisfied customer and a fan of yours for life!
Thank you
Brad Fisher
Steve's magic is not limited to just digital..contact him you and your system will be happy you did.
Brad
I own a Wadia 860 and was at a cross roads as far as digital playback was concerned. Did I want to go with SACD, or a player from one of the European companies or get my Wadia upgraded? I talked with Steve at great lengths through phone calls and e-mails. During our many conversations I learned that Steve had upgraded all of the players I was considering other then the AA MKII which had only been out for a very short time. Steve told me his thoughts of the strengths and weaknesses of each player before and after his upgrades. I made the decision to go with the upgrade on the Wadia. I also asked Steve to upgrade my player to an 861. I know for a fact Steve used up a few favors getting the 861 board from Wadia.
I have had the pleasure of listening to all of the other players I had considered buying (stock units not modified by GNSC) The latest EMC1, The AA MKII, Audiomeca Mephisto 2, Accuphase 85 and the Linn CD12. I think my Wadia Statement 861 is more musical then all of the them. It just does everything right.
Here is a letter I sent to Steve after the break in process
To: 'Great Northern Sound Co.'
Sent: October 2002
Subject: Wadia Statement upgrade
Steve,
I have not had a chance to get back to you since you finished the Statement upgrade on my Wadia 861. Right out of the box I noticed improved dynamics.
After the burn in /break in process these are some of the improvements I noticed with the Statement unit. .The soundstage is huge and deep. The size of the recorded space, regardless of recordings is a snap to gauge, and the placement of the voice’s are rock-solid, with dimensionality that’s the best I’ve heard. The individual instruments and voices are more defined. The low level detail is incredible; I hear things in my CD’s I have not heard before.
The Wadia had a black back ground before, well Steve I had not heard it to this degree.
The vocals are more truthful, they seem to just hang in space, and voices are vivid, layered, coherent and defined, Chesty and full.
The highs are very clear, clean and airy; with the ability to convey the naturalness of the recording with uncanny ease. There is absolutely no edge. The mids have been flushed out more; they are lush, rich and defined. The point of impact of the instruments and then the long decay is just so right. The bass is heartier then before. It is nimble, energetic with fullness, texture, and body.
Before the statement upgrade my system had what I would call a large envelope, now Steve it has a huge envelope and I am in that envelope.
I had long ago regulated some of my CD’s to car only CD’s. After the Statement upgrade I have since pulled some of these out and have been listening to them not only are then now listenable they sound wonderful.
Steve I am not sure if digital can be taken much farther but, if it can you will be the one to do it! And if you do sign me up!
If you ever need a referral to the quality of your work, and your professionalism please have them get in touch with me. I am clearly one satisfied customer and a fan of yours for life!
Thank you
Brad Fisher
Steve's magic is not limited to just digital..contact him you and your system will be happy you did.
Brad