I have a Wadia 581i SE and an Oppo 95. I spent most of this weekend doing comparisons between both. I hooked them up to a McIntosh pre C2300 and a BAT VK600 SE, with Analysis Audio Omega speakers, via XLR connections.
ALthough I agree with Mike regarding some roughness coming from the Oppo I have also to recognize that dynamics and bass extent are both better in the Oppo. The Wadia is clearly more refined, with better soundstage and more flesh to show but, however, it sounds analytical and too laid-back in comparison with the "joie de vivre" of the Oppo player. Taking into account that the Wadia costs 10 times more, and that the Oppo is still burning in, I have to recognize that the $1000 player is astonishing, and specially in SACD reproduction. I want now to hear to the new Mcintosh player, the 1100, since it uses the same SOTA dacs of the Oppo,multiplied by 4 and on a high-end platform.
ALthough I agree with Mike regarding some roughness coming from the Oppo I have also to recognize that dynamics and bass extent are both better in the Oppo. The Wadia is clearly more refined, with better soundstage and more flesh to show but, however, it sounds analytical and too laid-back in comparison with the "joie de vivre" of the Oppo player. Taking into account that the Wadia costs 10 times more, and that the Oppo is still burning in, I have to recognize that the $1000 player is astonishing, and specially in SACD reproduction. I want now to hear to the new Mcintosh player, the 1100, since it uses the same SOTA dacs of the Oppo,multiplied by 4 and on a high-end platform.