Hi I've never heard the Wadia. but have a Krell kid, just a few days ago I connected the krell kid to my bel canto ref1000 straight via balanced output using the Krell kid just as a preamp and it just knock my socks off the sound was excellent I think that from now on I will use it just like that. the music is as good as a very good cd player and I own a Sony SACD-1. and now I listen to the Krell kid more often. is very well made my set up is Sony SACD-1, Magnepan MMG speakers,Bel Canto Ref1000,Krell KID,and Nordost Quattro fill balanced cables.and by the way try to rip your music Lossles or better it pays off good luck.