Chord Cutest or Wadia 321

In terms of features, the Chord Cutest supports DSD playback, while the Wadia 321 does not. However, since you mention that you mostly listen to 24/192 or lower, this may not be a significant factor for you.

I did purchase the Wadia. After listening to the Wadia over a few days, I prefer the Wadia in my system. The Chord DAC is great but it seemed to place certain elements like vocals or main instruments to far forward leaving the rest of the music too far in the background for my liking. The Wadia still has great depth of image but seems a bit more balanced. At least in my system.  

I have 2 Wadia 321. Been running in my system for years without a hitch.

On occasion I run the one in my main system directly to my amp as a pre amp/dac because i can use XLR. But I always fall back to using my tubed pre but have to use COAX as it does not support XLR. I often wonder what it would sound like with a Tubed Pre that support balanced connections.

Mcintosh group shelved Wadia but you can still get service from a company in CA. but I have never had an issue with either of mine.

I dont know if you got a manual?  But if you running it into an integrated or pre the manual indicates to set the volume at 88

OP,

Congratulations. I have been. Wadia fan since back in the 1990’s. Chord is very popular but it’s emphasis on detail can loose track of musical reality.

The 321 sound is what you get when you know your way a around an ESS Sabre chip.