Comparing Wadia vs. Meitner

Welcome to the fray, Robm321- I'm surprised you've remained in the wings this long.

A little digital background. For 5+ happy years I owned a Wadia 270/27i combo, with a mid level GNSC mod performed in year 4. Next- Audio Aero Cap. Mk.II. Next- Meitner Philips SACD 1000, Switchman II, DAC 6. Current- Meitner CDSD & DCC2.

It seems reasonable to try to factor price differences into the overall performance appraisals of these components. The DCC2 is quite different than the Wadia players or seperates in that it has a full and seperate pre-amp section, in addition to the DAC. Yes, the Wadia has the built in output stage and digital volume control to drive amplifiers directly. The output stage is on a par with an average quality pre-amp ( I think I'm being fairly generous here ) and the digital volume control is quite flawed in design and practice when compared to an analog domain volume control, as might be found in say, the DCC2.

All that being said, the price of a Wadia 861 with full GNSC mods is less, I think, than the CDSD / DCC2. The 27/270ix combo with full mods is more expensive, again- I think, than the CDSD / DCC2. Based solely on my previous experience, I beleive that the performance of the CDSD / DCC2 beats any and all of the above mentioned units in CD playback AND offers SACD playback AND a truly excellent pre-amp section.

The bummer with the Wadia gear is that you MUST use a pre-amp to get the highest level, of performance possible from the units. If you add a $6k-$10k pre-amp, plus $1k-$2k interconnect, plus a $1k-$2k powercord to the modded 270 / 27ix you've WAY exceeded the cost of the CDSD / DCC2 and, IMHO, have achieved inferior performance.

The only potential hole in my argument is that- #1- that the current model fully GNSC modded 270 / 27ix or 861 is WAY better than my mid level GNSC modded 270 / 27i. I'm giving everyone a big target to nit pick at here, if anyone wants to.

I think the most salient points are- If I had an inkling that the latest and greatest that Wadia has to offer was superior to my 1st foray into the Meitner camp, I certainly wouldn't have upgraded to the CDSD / DCC2 and I would have, instead, purchased a hot-rodded 270 / 27ix, with attendant pre-amp, interconnect and power cord. That would satisfy, neither my objective of superior sonic results, nor any prudent price/performance equation.

This thread's back on the right track.

Here is the other listeners perspective on the comparison sessions involving the Meitner and Wadia equipment. Rob and I tried both playback systems in each others homes. Total listening time was about two hours in each system. In the context of this one day of comparison, there really was no "winner" or "loser" as both systems are at or near the top of what is capable in digital playback. Having said that, there were clear differences between the two systems and personal preference would dictate what sounded the "best". I like to evaluate equipment based on how musical it is and how connected it makes me feel to the performance. The Meitner gear provided a full, smooth and rich sound. The Wadia gear had a tendency to be more analytical, detailed and at times lean. The Meitner gear put the listener in the front five rows. The Wadia gear put the listener in the middle of the theater. I like intimate sounding music: jazz, small combo's and vocals. Rob likes large scale music: classical, symphonic orchestra and opera.
Because of the intimate presentation tendencies of the Meitner I preferred it to the Wadia as it gave me a greater sense of musicality and connectedness to the music. I only listen to classical music at the start of ballgames (I think the Star Spangled Banner is classical???), so I don't know if I would prefer the Meitner over the Wadia on large scale music. Rob clearly preferred the Wadia on his choice of music.
Aside from the playback, there were a few minor system differences that could make a difference to a potential buyer. The Meitner has a built-in preamp section that can accomodate other playback media ie analog or another cd player. The Wadia sounds best when used at the higher volume settings. The Meitner has no such volume setting issues. The Wadia readouts are quite small and very hard to read from across the room (at least for these old eyes). The Meitner readouts are about three times as large making distant viewing quite easy. The Wadia remote had to be pointed directly at the equipment. The Meitner remote had a wider scope of operation. The Meitner offers SACD playback and the Wadia only plays redbook cds. For anyone into or considering SACD, the Meitner is simply breathtaking.
I think anyone who owns either system should consider themselves quite fortunate. I would like to thank Rob for a very interesting day of listening!!!
Jerry

Just to clarify, I am not going to stop posting here at audiogon. I said I have stopped posting with regularity, big difference, from time to time I chime in but these days I'd rather be listening then argueing who's amp will beat up mine :^) Knowing Frank P the way I do I am sure he is the same exact way. In no way are you- the fine folks here at audiogon- going to rid me that easily!

But Dvorák is calling so I must be going- enjoy the music!

Fbhifi.....I have been following this thread from the sidelines and I really enjoyed your post because you stated a lot of info there. Frank...Tim.... this hobby ROCKS! There are always others out there to crash the party but we know their intentions.