Switching Wadia 581 between CD & SACD layers?


Hi folks,

I recently bought a Wadia 581; great player, great sound, but the manual and the player's quirkiness are driving me nuts. Hybrid discs are a toss up, sometimes the player selects the SACD layer for weeks at a time and suddenly, should my luck change, selects the CD layer out of the blue. SACD only discs work fine, nothing else to select!

The manual does not mention how I can control switching between layers. I have the later version of 581 with the side vents and the "much vaunted" ability to switch between SACD and CD layers. For 8 large, it should be able to do that!

I will really appreciate any guidance on this problem. It would be good to know I am not the only long-suffering Wadia owner out there. I have written to Wadia on the matter, but since they took a "mere" 8 months to ship my player to me, my expectations are hardly sky high.

Thanks and cheers,

Khalid
aurlieus

Showing 5 responses by aurlieus

At one point a month ago I would play a normal CD and then hybrid after hybrid and it would play only the SACD layer. However, now that it has started only playing the CD layer of all my hybrids, I still get a sudden reversion to SACD layer out of the blue. However, I will try your experiment with SACD only discs followed by a hybrid to see if there is a pattern here.

BUT, all this would really be academic if I could CONTROL my own musical destiny!!!!!

Thanks and cheers,

Khalid
Hi Stan,

There must be something wrong with my laser, I do have a mode button but it simply loads hybrids in CD mode and even after pressing the mode button several times as you explained above, it keeps replaying the disc in CD mode.

Ack! I think I may have to get the player replaced!

Thanks very much for your help.

Khalid
Hi,

I agree with you on the substandard remote! I have tried the method that Stan recommended, but to no avail. I know that the player is receiving my remote control's instructions, but it is simply switching back to CD layer from CD layer.

I have talked to my dealer and he feels that the transport may have been damaged during shipping. Or else Wadia still have a lot of technical problems to solve at their end.

Sure the player sounds great, but nowadays, even $50 SACD players from China can switch between SACD and CD.

Khalid
Hi Stan,

I will give this a try. If not, it is getting packed up and going back to Wadia. Ack!

Will let you know shortly.

Thanks

Khalid
Hello All,

Just wanted to post an update. Unit has been upgraded to 581se. Works flawlessly! All software and playback issues have been resolved and player has no issues. Want to thank Keith at Wadia. I take back what I said above, it would be unfair and dishonest of me not to!

Cheers!

Khalid