iPod docking station - Belkin vs Wadia vs Arcam

Hack,

Please clarify - I can use the Wadia docking station without a DAC and not significantly compromise the sound?

I looked it up; I have an Onkyo dx5500 that has never been plugged into a dac. I don't even recall a dac available to buy in 1989. Today Music Direct and Cruthfield both offer the PS audio Digital Link III. Probably mid-grade for an uneducated guess. My gear plays good, so I have time to learn and shop during this upgrade. The JBL L166 and 4 Advents stay. 5000 LP's and 1000 cd's stay. I've had the ipod classic for 5 months and I have not found it easy at all. Yet, once working, it will play for hours without operator action. I like that. How much to spend? I don't know. I have more money than stereo knowledge. The McIntosh dealers in Tustin and Pasadena are unimpressive. Actually marginal product knowledge is more accurate. That Wadia purchase at Music direct is an easy purchase. Todate, I would consider McIntosh, Naim, Quad, LFD or Bryston. Guys, I really don't know what is appropriate.

Buying the Wadia to use the analog outs defeat the purpose. The reason the Wadia is special is that it can output a digital stream. If you are going to use analog outs, just buy the apple doc for $40. Maybe go with the Arcam or one of the others if you want a more high end look.

Check out the Krell Kid. It is a pretty awesome piece. I have mine hooked up to a pair of quad 12L actives and for a small system that I can take everywhere, it is awesome. The kid also has tone controls and I think it definately improves upon the sound of the ipod. I own the wadia as well hooked up to the new ps audio dac and I think the krell sounds a bit better and the build quality smokes the wadia which is a plastic piece of junk.

the reviews of the wadia point out the advantage of the digital out to dac. the sound was highly improved in this way. using the analogue out wasts your money, your still using the ipod dac.