Wadia 170i transport experience?

Joe, I said earlier in the thread, "It's inexpensive enough that I'd recommend buying it new from a supplier with return privileges. If you try it in your system and don't find it great in every way, then return it."

Why don't you take that advice? It looks like no one with direct experience with the Wadia/Nakamichi is going to come along and remove all risk for you by telling you it will or won't work.

I can tell you that it works great in my system. Right now it's the only option out there that I know of that bypasses the iPod's DAC, so if you chance for the best sound possible off an iPod you'll need to try it in your system.

Dave

Hi,
Don't take it personally that I asked the question again. I am not familiar with dacs so I was asking the question for enlightenment. I realize that no one has replied specifically re/nakamichi and the wadia, but hope springs eternal. Thanks and again don't take it personal, sometimes I like to ask questions twice. Thanks again.

Joe in Mobile

If you're speaking to me, I'm taking nothing personally. I'm just trying to help you make some progress.

Widipedia will give you a quick definition of a DAC (digital to analog converter).

Still, it's a device that's either stand alone or part of an iPod or CDP or SACD player or computer that converts a digital signal to an analog signal. The Wadia is special in that it takes the iPod's digital signal and bypasses the iPods relatively low resolution DAC so that you can convert the digital signal to analog using a better DAC. All other iPod docking stations merely take the iPods analog output (after the DAC) and send it out as an analog signal.

The PROBLEM with the Wadia or the program it uses to route this digital signal out of the iPod is that it adds jitter. Jitter is time distortion of the digital signal itself. This can be fixed by "reclocking" the digital signal. There's a digital clock that governs the DAC and may or may not reclock the input from external sources. Just like a DAC, a digital clock can be a stand alone divice, but it's usually a component within a larger piece of equipment, like a CDP or SACD player or a digital receiver.

No one that's responded so far knows if your Naka reclocks and/or does a good job in this regard. I've scanned three reviews of the Naka and see no mention of its reclocking capacity and quality. You can be the first to report if you'll accept the assignment. ;-)

Dave

I'll accept the assignment, but it will have to wait a bit. I'll keep y'all posted when I do.

Joe in Mobile

I like the convenience of use of my Wadia 170i - I replaced my Reimyo 777 CDP for a Wadia 170i/Reimyo DAC combo (that happens to be exactly the same DAC of my Reimyo 777 CD ) and.... I do not miss the CDP at all.

Caveat - I use a quite expensive Siltech coax cable from the Wdia to the Reimyo to really get closer enough to my original digital source.

Saying that - it is not as convenient as having either a Mac or an AppleTV as digital storage the Wadia's emote has very limited functionality and the iPOD screen is far away from my listeining chair to really see what is playing.

and... do not forget that only WAV files are acceptable for proper reproduction.

Regards,