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ESOTERIC, WADIA -- How do they really sound?

I have read and heard that upgrading your source to the highest level possible will make the greatest difference. This makes sense, in that once information is lost or poorly decoded, it cannot be regained.

BUT, I am dumbfounded at the opinion of expensive digital players out there. I did an exhaustive search on the forums on Esoteric and Wadia, and was shocked to find some very strong criticisms of deficiencies in products from both these companies, and Levinson and others.

Yet, you can find bang-up magazine reviews on all these products (no surprise, right?).

My concern is that some of the criticisms are rather severe, and surprising in items of this price caliber. For example. The soundstaging is pushed together, the tonal balance is off, the dynamics are compressed, the treble is bright, the sonics are thin, the bass is lacking, the digital volume control degrades the sonics, etc.

If you are buying used, and don't have dealers to take these pieces home, or feel unethical in doing so, how can you make any decisions based on this quagmire of information?

HELP!
saxo

Showing 1 response by wenrhuang

wenrhuang
37 posts
 
Saxo,

In my experience with Wadia 270SE transport, what you read---good or bad---are probably correct. The transport is excellent in many ways, I was thrilled when I first got it, but after the initial "wow" factor is over, I noticed it has an "edgy" treble character, which was most obvious in playing violin type of music, it made the violin sound hard and metalic. On the other hand, in playing rock and jazz, it was not objectionable. Then I tried a 270SE with GNSC mod, it is a whole lot better with much more natural---less digital---presentaton.

If you are not able to audition before purchase, I would say take everything you read into consideration, and then make your own judgement. I would also agree buy used so you do not have to stick with a wrong decision.
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