When I upgraded my digital source, I decided to stay away from separates andstick with a solid, high-quality "one-box" player. The candidates for the
final cut, all carried by local dealers, were the Meridian 508-20 ($3k), the
Micromega Stage 3 ($1500), and the Wadia 23 ($3k). The Micromega was a quick
DQ, sounding "small" and lifeless in this company (3 non-audiophilic friends
also weeded it out within seconds.) It was a very tough call between the
Wadia and the Meridian - both had great resolution and guts, and both were
musical and all those buzzwords. Probably the biggest factor was that the
semi-local Meridian dealer was a real d***head. (Plus, the Wadia was a demo
model.) Seriously, it is a beautiful piece that sounds great. I have not
heard much better, especially not at this (volatile though it may be) price.

Note that the Wadia has a pretty high output level - good for passive preamps.
Also, it has almost no controls on the face panel; remote is included.

(FYI: matching system is AI Modulus 3 pre-amp, Rowland Model 1 amp,
Totem Model 1 speakers, and Kimber wire.)

Fluid, musical

display too small.

Bought it second hand, and it was my best purchase ever. the Wadia name is lengendary in high-end cd players, and it's well earned and well-deserved. compared to the wadia, the other cd players i've tried are harsher, too bright, and mechanical. the wadia is so musical and easy to listen to without being fatiguing.

forget about all the latest hype about sacd, dvd-a, upsampling. the newer machines sound so bright, not as enjoyable.

5 stars, more if possible.

Similar Products Used:

sony, marantz, audiolab, linn