Availability of Wadia

Wadia is now very much alive as you can tell from the previous post. The 861 is available (silver or black) and may be purchased through your local dealer, if they maintained the relationship with Wadia during the bancruptcy period. Wadia will also have a unit called the 301 (originally known as the 831) available in a month or so. This unit will sell for $3450-3950 US. It is said to be a big improvement over its predecessor, the 830, which received a glowing review in Stereophile last year. It will use the lastest version of the Digimaster algorithim and is said to be a "giant killer". I had the opportunity to hear an early prototype in January at CES with some Pipedreams/Lamms. The sound was quite promising and the metalwork photos were attractive. You may want to audition one of these puppies before plunking down 8k on the 861.

The San Francsico Retailer reports "The 301 is the 831 CD player with a new name. This is a great product and is
pictured on the wadia website(www.wadia.com). It will have the new swift current technology and the latest wadia software. We have heard a prototype both at the CES 2001 and at our store. It is a great sounding unit. We're
looking forward to this product".

SACD is a smokescreen, it will NEVER take off... go with the Wadia 861

Thanks for the info. Good to learn that the company is alive. I emailed Wadia a few days ago but have no reply yet. Their slow response just makes me a bit concerned. I think I'm going to put a hold on my planned purchase for a while. Thanks again.

Someone else told of Waidia's slow email response. Please call them on the phone and keep us posted. Thanks..