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Comparing Wadia vs. Meitner

I believe that this represents the pinnacle of CD playback. Jerry, a fellow audiogoner was gracious enough to allow me to audition his broken-in Meitner CDSD / DCC2. In my system, the boxes were switched with mine, so they each had the same cables, power conditioning, power cords, and stand. Both were run directly into the amp without a preamp. My CD playback system includes the Wadia 27ix / 270se with the latest software and full modifications from Great Northern Sound. Also included are Elrod Statement power cords, a Hydra conditioner, and a Mana rack.

In short, I think that these are both excellent units. They are also very different in what they do. In my system, it was easy to distinguish between the two within several minutes. It probably comes down to personal preference in deciding which is best here. I’ll just simply say that I’m keeping the Wadia because I think it is a perfect match for my musical preferences, my system, and what I appreciate in music.

What I love about the Wadia is its ability to convey an (absolutely) astonishing amount of detail without being harsh or fatiguing. Not only is the melody and rhythm imaged with speed and coherence, but you can actually appreciate the musicians technique, the weight and color of the instrument(s), and the ambience of the recording venue. It simply presents a convincing image of a live event. The emotional quality is all there. You can understand what separates a great and (justly) famous professional musician from a pretty good one. Everything is properly proportioned, the soundstage is appropriate and believable, everything is audible, and the background is silent. From complex orchestral pieces and opera, to vocals, to solo instruments, I do not believe there are any weak spots. Again, it simply convinces and fools the mind into believing that you are sitting in front of the performance. I have frequented the concert halls, and I’d hate to say it but sometimes the recording is better.

I think that just about anybody could probably be happy with either of these 2 systems. Of course, curiosity makes us wonder if the grass is greener. I am just very content with where I am right now. I'd invite Jerry to make some comments when he gets a chance.

Rob
rtn1
fsarc
148 posts
 
Well, after owning/listening to the Wadia 861b SE with GNSC Statement Mods for about 1 year, and recently acquiring an EMM Labs DCC2/CDSD, it is (as much as I hate to say it) no contest in favor of the EMM Labs.

My previous setup was the Wadia/ Aesthetix Calypso/ Sony XA-9000ES and I bought into the EMM Labs "hype" and replaced the aforementioned pieces with the DCC2/CDSD. I initially used the DCC2 with a very cheap Toshiba DVD player as the transport and thought the Wadia smoked it. However, once the CDSD was added, EVERYTHING changed and I was blown away by the sound. The fiber optic connections between the two units is a must.

The Wadia is truly an excellent unit, and only after listening to the EMM Labs did its shortcomings become very apparent.

I can only say that my opinions of the two units are based upon my own impressions with my gear/room and music and I'm not going to make a "definitive" statement on which is better. I can only say the difference between the two units in my system was painfully obvious. Give both a listen IN YOUR OWN SYSTEM and decide for yourself. Have fun!

Rest of system:

Vandersteen 5A
McCormack DNA-500
Stereovox BAL-600/LSP-600 cables
BPT 3.5 Signature Plus
Critical Mass Systems Platforms

Frank
islandear
208 posts
 
Frank, what is the predominant music you listen to? And can you describe your listening space as well?
fmpnd
481 posts
 
Islandear, I have very eclectic tastes in music. Depending on my mood, I will listen from anything ranging from large scale classical to chamber music, to hard driving 70's horn rock and funk bands (Tower of Power is my all time favorite but I also like BS&T and Cold Blood type stuff)), to folk music (favorite is Michael Tomlinson, but also enjoy Bebo Norman, Joni Mitchell, Bruce Cockburn etc), to straight ahead jazz (both instrumental and vocal - I was formerly a professional trumpet player) to classic rock like the Doobie Brothers to good old Motown. Don't listen to too much rap or country and virtually no heavy metal or head banging music. I also like odd stuff like Eddie From Ohio (Virgina sould music), Keller Williams and String Cheese Incident and Trey Anastasio. I also like soundtacks and big band.

My room is 14' x 18' X 8' and heavily treated so I can pressurize it pretty well with the Kharmas. If you have looked at any of the pics of my system, don't be confused by one picture which makes it look like what could be my listening chair about 2 feet from my speakers. That was just an Ottoman that got in the way when my wife took the picture.

Cheers!
islandear
208 posts
 
Thanks, Frank. I've looked at your system on a few occasions and I 'm compelled to echo what others have said: fantastic. I can only imagine how those Kharmas really sound in a properly treated room. Cheers backatcha.
sm2727
115 posts
 
Could I interject something here? The relative cost? How much is the Wadia we are talking about and how much is the EMM labs...total. The Wadia doesn't need a pre- amp and Meitner learned that and incorporated it into his latest piece. The analog improvement that come from one less component(with two to four gain stages) has always meant more to me than the digital wars. I had a Pass dac a few years back that had no upsampling...just a balanced dac with a volume control and an excellent output stage and volume control. Admittedly I had a cec tl-1 with it, but to my ears it sounded better than the EMM labs Dac 6 with the Phillips 1000 and a BAT VK 51 preamp on cd. The sacd was great of course, but I think cd playback is the key to happiness with the lack of sacd titles.
Back to the Wadia...it does sound different. I heard a musician tellme it sounds more like a studio monitor. The Audio Aero, Mephisto etc. sound good and different. The AA for example sounds smooth and analog like, but the Wadias have always moved me more like a concert would. More balls. Lots of good machines out there. I think some of us need to spend more time hearing equipment (supporting dealers) and less talking about it. (me included).
For example I can't believe how many people I've heard say SACD is boring. I think that is because you have been listening to cd for so long that you need that leading edge on the sound to recognize it as good. SACD sounds more like a record or live music to my ears. But I bet I could find 50 comments on this site that say sacd sounds flat.
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