Wadia 861SE with GNSC Statement Upgrade

HI Bar81,

maybe there was a problem with the player I had, but I doubt it. Players from that time tend to sound the way I described. I had the internal dip switches set to the right output level, so the volume control was using the last few bits.

I know GNSC do good work. I have heard some mods to ARC he has done, as well as the Wadia in question. I just feel its a lot of money for not a great deal of performance with this player. It is bound to be better than the original, but if you spent the same money on an Audio Aero Capitole SE or even the Bel canto CD/DAC I am sure it would surprise you.

Have you heard the latest generation of high end DACs? Because if you feel that my description is out of line with your experience, this could be where the trouble is. For instance the DCS is absolute resolution, crystal clear top to bottom, not a hint of grain and extremely capable. There is clarity with new machines that you just dont get on these older models for whatever reason.

At least have an idea of where this Wadia sits in the world of digital playback today.

Now obviously things like the DCS are expensive machines, but the cheaper ones still have that ability as well as the players I mentioned. This is something the 861se showed no sign of.

I havent heard the Ayre preamp in my own system, but I have heard it in a Ayre system. I quite like Ayre.

Chadeffect,

Let's leave it at you heard something generally inconsistent with what everyone else is hearing.

You appear to be fixated on resolution and in that regard some players do improve upon the Wadia but overall these players are generally at the same level as the Wadia since the Wadia does other things better than them (this is what I was talking about earlier).

As to the single box players that I've heard recently, scroll up to my first post in this thread.

>> At least have an idea of where this Wadia sits in the
>> world of digital playback today.

Chadeffect, scroll up to Bar81's original post dated 02-22-09 to see the list of players he has recently auditioned.
Thanks.

Hi guys,
I understand we all have differing tastes. What is important to one person may not be important to others.

I dont know the Burmester 001 (I know what it looks like!). But the other players I have heard the Esoteric X01 although I think it was an se or something, also the X03se, the meridian with the volume control, which are quite good players.

I see Bar81 has gone down a very nice road with his hifi with Acoustic revive and MIT Ayre etc and Bombaywalla is a fellow Apogee man.

Resolution is extremely important. Thats where the magic is. Surely the whole point is to hear what is on the disk? Now whether the presentation is to your taste,well thats another question and is probably what you see in the modded Wadia. But things like layering are so delicate and easily lost. The Wadia I had didnt have a hope of that kind of resolution.

Your Apogee would show a player with fine details easily and leave you grinning from ear to ear. It is exactly what the Apogee is great at. Dont get me wrong Wadia is a lovely machine, just a little tired IMHO as a highend digital source. Its nearly 10 years old. So the majority of the insides were designed in the 90s.

I know GNSC put in Bybees etc and have done it beautifully (I had a good look inside) but the base unit is still the base unit. A computer from the late 90s early 00s with burr browns.

I totally understand, and dont wish come across as rude. It is always good to share experiences with fellow audiophiles. It is good to hear opinions.

Unfortunately writing in these forums it can be difficult to get to the heart of the matter without seeming to have an attitude. I have no axe to grind you understand I am just interested.

Hi Chadeffect,

You had the 861SE in your system, worked your best to optimize it by all possible means, and it still did not fulfill your requirements. Hence, you are certainly entitled to your opinion and I would regard your opinion as well-informed. Other well-informed users have contributed that this was not the case in their situation.

I think audiogoner Forteleza has gotten his moneys worth from this thread. This thread has presented a balanced view, and it seems to me that this is how it should work. Hence, we are all to be congratulated.

DCS certainly makes great digital. If the Wadia series 9 didn't exist, I'd probably seriously consider the Scarlatti.

I do think that digital has come of age in the last 5 years. CDPs now provide incredible resolution without grain or forwardness, particularly at the top tier. However, the 861SE Statement would still fare very well for the next 5-10 years, particularly now given its price point. I think Bar81 has come to appreciate that first hand.

Happy listening.