I'VE COMPARED THE BAT VKD5 TO THE WADIA 20/27I COMBO (WITH THE 27I IT SHOULD BE MORE THAN COMPAREABLE TO THE 860I). I THOUGHT THE BAT WAS MUCH MORE MUSICAL AND WARM. IT HAD AN ORGANIC WHOLENESS. THE WADIA, WAS VERY ARTICULATE AND PRECISE, NOT WHAT I'D TERM "EMOTIONAL". FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, I PREFER THE BAT.
Comment = BAT VK-D5SE vs. Wadia 861x CD
I own a BAT VK-D5 CD Player and discovered they have a $1,200 upgrade to a newer BAT VK-D5 SE version. A friend of my suggested now is a good time for me to switch from the BAT to the new Wadia 861x due out in the next 30+ days. He feels that Wadia CD players are more musical, open and more natural than the BAT CD Player is (is this true?). While I am happy with the BAT, I am willing to review other alternatives. Wadia has discontinued the Wadia 850 that seems more reasonably priced than the 861 is. Assuming the new 861 is priced at around $7,000 (?), this would be an expensive upgrade for me to take. This means any change to the Wadia 861x would require major sound improvements based on the (huge) increase in price. It is unfortunate Wadia dropped the 850 since, price wise, this might be more reasonable. Any comments on the BAT VK-D5 vs. the Wadia 860x (861x) CD Player? I know that the new 861 is scheduled out shortly so your comments should be based on your experience with the Wadia 860 vs. the BAT VK-D5 (or SE). thanks