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Can the RA Opus 21 rock better than a Wadia?

I was almost set on getting a used Wadia unit but recently came across the Resolution Audio Opus 21. Reading the reviews, the Opus seems intriguing and a good puchase. I am thinking of picking up one brand new.

I listen primarily to rock, blues, pop with some occasional jazz. I like music that's pacy, rhythmic - where there's plenty of drive and energy, without the sound becoming too 'digital' and sacrificing air and sounstage. Where I live, I don't have a chance to audition the Opus and hoping that Audiogoners on this site can advise me.

I gather from all the positive reviews that the Opus is a great, vinyl-sounding, detailed, musical machine with good PRAT. Wanted to know if the RA21 can best the Wadia range of CD players from the 301 to 861 as a CD player that plays rock and blues. What advantages does the RA21 have over the Wadia house sound?

Any opinions from users of both machines are much appreciated.
raymond_tan
kurt_tank
1,189 posts
 
Mike.

I actually ordered it through some company called northwest audio, or something like that. (I don't know if they still advertize here or not, as I can't seem to find their ad anymore.)

What I suggest is writing to every cable reseller you can find that you need a AU24 I.C. terminated with a DIN to XLR (whatever length you need, although I suggest at least a meter), and then see what the best price you can get is. That is what I did and I ended up saving about a hundred dollars betweent he high estimate and the low estimate. (It should be about $500-600. I paid $500, but that was a couple of years ago.)

Good Luck!
mrcyn
26 posts
 
Thank You very much Kurt!!!......Mike
frankpiet
307 posts
 
Have experience with both and some other units:
I´d clearly go for the Wadia for several reasons:
- great design and superb build quality
- extremely reliable
- very convenient remote and digital pre-amp
- much higher resolution, slam and musicality
- easy to sell on the 2nd. hand market
- and with eg. GNSC mods simply awesome
If you´re looking for a one box competitior for the Wadia I´d look at Esoteric X-3/UX-1/X-1 an Ayre D-1xe or Audio Aero Capitole MK II SE.
kops's avatar
kops
478 posts
 
On a recent shoot-out this weekend the accustic arts combo (drive1 and dac mkIII) was a lot better and "rocked more" than resolution audio opus21. If the price is good give a listen to the AA combo or dac.
sammie
220 posts
 
This is off the subject a bit, but for all you Opus fans out there Steve at GNSC gave me a brochure on a new product from Resolution Audio called the X2. The X2 utilizes the same housing as the Opus CDP, one box not two, and contains an AM/FM tuner with RDS, 4 or 5 digital inputs, and MM/MC phono pre's. The X2 will sit directly under the CD transport as it utilizes the connection on the bottom of the transport. It uses the Opus display, as well as the Opus DAC. It looks very cool! I know Jeff was shooting for a late February ship date, but I haven't inquired for awhile.
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