New Wadia 381i vs Puccini

Hi Bjbcab,
I do not need SACD; I have only a single SACD which came with a Sony DVD video/SACD player. But I would like to have the best sound on red book CDs.
I think with the USB input option the Wadia 381 "i" vesion and its capability to read WAV files from CD it is rather future proof (if this exists in digital audio).

Msw1, The DCS Puccini does not have a USB input unless you buy the U-clock. There is a digital SPDIF input but this does not sound as good as cd play because the digital input does not up sample to DSD, at least on my player. I think there is an upgrade but I do not have this yet. The USB input through the U-clock will be upsampled to DSD. In any event you are looking at about $22,500 total for player plus u-clock so this is not in the same league.

I have listened to Ayre cd players and they are quite good. Perhaps you could look at CXe-7 and their new usb dac (can't remember the name. I would also suggest taking a look at NAIM cds3 for cd playback and they also have a a separate d/a for with usb input. I have listened to the NAIM cds3 and it is very good and while the puccini is better IMO it compares quite favorably and is much cheaper. In the case of these Ayre and NAIM products the cost, while not identical, will more in line with the cost of a wadia 381i.

i own the 781i with usb and gns mods... I consider it reference in its true sense. I own a bow zz8, which i love, and have heard extensively a dcs p8, which i didn't.
so only limited knowledge, but good gear.

the wadia is not friendly, but you can use it and it shows you a fantastic display of music - being a musician, i cannot call gear "musical" ;-)
if anything this wadia has a slight beautified piano attack, but it seems so clear nevertheless.

have not heard puccini, nor ayre.
fwiw.. i can only recommend to contact GNSC. Truly, just ask them - no affiliation whatsoever.

..thought i had to clarify "friendly": It is an absolutely clear window, with maybe the exception of piano initial attacks. no showoff with "nice" sounds, albeit they will be there if on record.

Egidus, have you compared the USB input to running off the transport? Is there much of a performance difference?