Wadia? Should You Go Direct In Or Preout

Not so fast, you direct connectors ! I've been using Wadia transports and dacs exclusively for over 7 years now. I presently have a 270/27i combo. I held on to the belief that running the 27i directly into my various amps had to sound better, because there was less "stuff" between the signal and the speakers. I now run an ARC REF. II between the 27i and ARC VTM 200 monoblocks (previously ARC VT-200) with much improved results. The Wadia output stage in the 27i (their highest end dac) is very transparent, but has a very lean, "skeletal" sound to it. The leading edge transients are great, very clear, but the remainder of the tone is thin and baren and certainly not fully "fleshed out." You must use a very high quality pre-amp and interconnect, but if your equipment is up to it- your sound definately improves. By the way, I've spoken with Steve Huntley several times over the years (he was, in fact, employed by Wadia for many years) and he discoved that a PASS ALEPH pre-amp was better in his system than a 27 direct. Steve is a super knowledgable guy nad I understand that his mods are very effective.

I am running a 270/27i into a classe omicron amp direct. just bought a classe omega preamp much better with a high quality preamp. better rythm deeper fuller bass much im proved soundstage.

if *any* digital source sounds better run directly into your amp, than thru your preamp, then you need a better preamp! if yer planning on spending money to updgrade your cd player, put it towards a better preamp - your system will sound better w/an improved preamp & your existing cd system, than the other way around. one person's opinion... doug

I have a Wadia 27 and I have it connected thru a CJ Premier 14 preamp. When I first removed the preamp, I was pleased with the better transient and dynamic response, but over time I missed the rich harmonics of the CJ Premier 14 preamp. With the CJ Premier 14 in the loop, I am a happy camper. BTW, without the CJ in the loop, I could not listen to the direct setup for long without experiencing fatigue.

sunny, this is *exactly* the experience my brother-in-law had w/a resolution audio cd55, only his preamp isn't even as upscale as the cj-14: an alchemist kraken (tho it's still nice, it's about 1/4 the price). he also found differences between this much-admired unit & his alchemist cd player (at ~half the price) were minimal, when run thru his alchemist pre. so, as i said previously, it's my opinion that yule get more sound/dollar by spending it on an excellent preamp. doug