Does Wadia need supratek ?

I am probably the only one on this web site that didn't like the Supratek pre-amp. That being said, I was using an 860x direct for about a year. I bought and waited for over 6 months for a Chardonay (I thinks it is spelled that way). After receiving it I just didn't like it. As a friend said it was "too much of a good thing". But with all of the great reviews that this preamp has received from this forum alone maybe it was just a synergy thing going on with my system. Anyway back to your question, I did/do use a preamp with my 860x, I just perfer the sound of a preamp vs. without. A friend of mine also has a Wadia and he likes it direct using the volumn controle of the Wadia. This is a tough call for you because there just is know way to audition one of the Supratek preamps, but I will tell you this, I sold the Supratek for exactly what I had into it including the duties and shipping. Hope this helps.......

Wadia works best balanced, so would mate to a balanced preamp if you decide to use one. (Syrah isn't truly balanced)

The best thing to do with your Wadia is to set the voltage as low as you can so that the volume stays between 80-100 to get the full resolution. Some people crank the wadia volume, then connect a preamp of some type to get full resolution at any volume, but this just degrades SQ in my book with all the added circuitry in line that just isnt needed. If your trying to get full resolution at much lower listening levels then chances are your not going to be doing critical listening anyway. And if your not having a critical evaluation its going to be 100% impossible to tell a difference of resolution regardless whether its a full 21bits at wide max volume of 16bits at the lower volumes, the ear isnt going to tell. If the Wadia is your only source, dont waste money on a preamp. Use that money to improve other aspects of the system.

I have used the Herron linestage and Thor TA-1000 linestage with great success with the Wadia 861, and I prefer both linestages to the Wadia running direct.