Why do Asian looks for old Wadia CDP at high price?

Thanks 

VRDS they don't make them like that anymore.

I sold it after auditioned with a Berkerley DAC Alpha 2. It made me couldn’t listen to my 861 anymore due to the Berkerley DAC has much much more details and sonics. The presentation that I have never had with 861 previously, things becoming unreal.

I'm looking forward to upgrade for an Emm labs DAC now

There are current manufacturers that use very old DAC chipsets because they sound better.  These include Naim, Zanden and Audio Note, among others.   Some of these old chips are expensive because they are coveted.  The priority for modern chips is to be very small and use very little power for use in mobile devices, and sound quality is not much of a consideration.  I have an older CD player (still in production) that utilizes the 1704 chip and it still sounds really good.

I also like a number of DACs that use resistor ladder multi-bit conversion, but, I don't know if this is the reason they sound good.  I owned a Wadia a long time ago and it sounded good and worked flawlessly.  Still, I am not certain I would get one unless I knew the transport was in really good shape or replacement parts are still available.  

I also wonder if there is such a thing as a different, "vintage" sound to DACs.  I know a dealer who hates the sound of most modern DACs, particularly when utilizing USB connection.  He thinks most sound to analytical, and while detailed sounding, that is accomplished by sounding bright and tizzy.  I have not looked into this myself to any great extent, but, I do know from my own experience that some highly regarded DACs, players and streamers are not to my particular taste.

Good point larryi and I guess I use a vintage DAC myself an Audio Note DAC-3 Signature circa 1995 which used the Burr Brown PCM-63K with is a multibit R2R chip. Sounds great to me but I'll admit to not having spent much time auditioning more modern DACs.