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Wadax Reference Dac and Reference Server--arrived in my room.

i debated with myself whether Audiogon was an appropriate forum to talk about these products. a certain number of Audiogon members might like to hear about them, some others might like to take some target practice that such products exist. others just like to make jokes or spout nonsense. such is the way of the ’Gon. to each their own.

http://www.wadax.eu/reference/

both the Wadax Reference Dac and Wadax Reference server arrived last week, and over the weekend i had 8 visitors through my room hearing these new products compared directly with my outgoing MSB Select 2 dac, and my resident server, the Taiko Extreme.

here is a thread with pictures of the Wadax Ref dac and Ref server in my room. scroll down for more pictures.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/wadax-reference-dac-and-server-arrive.34173/#post-771357

as a result of my listening this weekend, i have purchased the Wadax Reference dac, and am in the process of comparing the Wadax Reference server to my Taiko Extreme server to determine which one will remain. the MSB Select 2 is outbound on it’s way to a new owner.

the Wadax combo is the best sounding digital music reproduction i have heard, and not by a little bit. they cross thresholds of sounding analog and like good vinyl in ways i’ve never heard before. i am stunned at how digital in my room sounds, how great redbook files i’ve heard for 30 years have now come alive.

happy to answer any questions, or maybe observe a little chaos. let the fun begin.

 

mikelavigne
mikelavigne OP
2,243 posts
 

@nonoise

regarding the Taiko Extreme server; in the last couple of days Emile from Taiko has optimized the USB drivers in the Extreme for the Wadax Ref dac. in the next couple of days i will do a direct compare between the Extreme and the Wadax Reference server each with the Wadax Reference Dac.

i have the Wadax Ref server on approval for the next week or so. so soon one of those is going away, and one is staying.

@phantom_av

last weekend i did a series of A/B compares between my MSB Select II paired with the Extreme server, and the Wadax combo. the result was that i purchased the Wadax dac, and the MSB is on it’s way to a new home. as far as dCS, my personal view is that it’s not at the level of the MSB Select 2, let alone the Wadax. objectively the dCS is high performance, but just no longer sets the standard it did at one time.

in any case, in my experience the Wadax is the pinnacle of digital music reproduction.

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
327 posts
 

Hi Mike,

 

iv also perfered the MSB over DCS Dacs.

I prefer the Playback Design Dreams Series over MSB dacs, i just find the playback design more musically satisfying.

 

Congrationlation on your Wadax DAC.

mikelavigne OP
2,243 posts
 

@phantom_av 

thanks.

for 9 years my digital reference was the Playback Designs MPS-5. i had the first consumer unit ever. Andreas has stayed at my home. he is brilliant.

which MSB dacs did you compare to the PD Dream Series?

grannyring's avatar
grannyring
6,646 posts
 

Thanks for sharing Mike. Always like learning about the best available.  Love to someday hear your system! 

headphonedreams
529 posts
 

Congrats!

All reviews I've seen of the Wadax Ref says it is something special. I will never be able to afford it but I am glad someone improves the sound from digital .

Hope it will trickle down some day. Maybe they can license their tech to others?

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