Buck, on recent CD releases, I have noticed that my Levinson DAC shows HDCD decoding, and nowhere is it found on the cd sleve that its an HDCD - CD ! ..I am seeing more and more like this...not sure why.
In regards to the Chord and Wadia, I think its more the simularities between the 2.. my friend emailed me the following "The Chord exhibits the most detail so far, very very natural an fluid, presents forward of the speakers with a fuller sound, and has that Wadia-like depth and layering of music"
He compared it to Wadia, MSB Platinum Plus & DCS Purcell on a ML380S.
I have to admit, when I heard the Chord 64, it was indeed warm and full, without the bright top end..lots of body.