Wadia 171i Digital Transport Sound Issues

I use the i170 with a 160gb iPod Classic, and find it very sensitive to PC and digicable. With a Kharma Grand ref digicable (which I had lying around) and a Nordost Brahma PC connected to an adaptor for the Wadia electrical input, I get very near CD quality sound, especially with a FLAC download converted to iTunes.

It may not make much sense to use a PC and digicabkle that cost multiples of the i170 itself, but I had the wires anyway and the convenience and reliability is worth it! And a lot simpler, cheaper and more reliable than (ugh!) computer audio.

Neal

My quest to get what i think to be the best possible sound quality out of the Wadia ended up indeed to be the cable connection between itself and my DAC, it is sensitive in this regard. I learned a great deal about digital cables along my way and why they sound different, not enough space here to get into that, but bottom line I found my invisible cable! This cable blew away all others I tried some insanely $$. The cable I suggest you try for $25 is the latest Have/Canare GEPCO VSD2001 high definition 75ohm serial digital coax terminated with Canare's latest crimped, no solder, 75ohm RCA terminations. The cable is all business and nothing else, just a wire and terminations, they don't even add a braid over the cable which would make it more attractive, but so be it. Give it a try if you can handle $25 and be prepared to be blown away! Not only is this cable a champion on the test bench as it is designed primarily for the transmission of digital data, it killed all of the other cables in sound quality I tried and I tried many. Lastly, I think even though I finally achieved the best out of my set-up, I don't think I would recommend the Wadia, overpriced and I have heard trumped by other companies offerings, perhaps Wadia was in too bit of a hurry bringing the 171i to market?

RGP
I have a similar set up using the Wadia 171 being driven by a CIaudio 9v power supply. My electronics are the Benchmark Pre DAC, Sony 999es cd player, Esoteric AI-10 intergrated Amp with an on board Esoteric DAC and Esoteric MG-10 speakers. I use iTunes all recorded in the Wave format. My preference is a sound that more transparent bordering on electrostatic feel and a precise sound stage.The Esoteric MG-10's have a limited bottom end of 45hz but once i introduced the power supply the bass was more than adequate. In fact I have been by passing up my Sub woofer for a tighter but defined lower end. I am running my music now thru the Esoteric DAC. I feel that i am achieving a better resolution than CD quality sound. As luck would have it I just ordered a Have/Canare digital cable before I try a Nordquist Cable. I am on the edge of buying the Bryston BDP-1 server. I don't have much to add to your threads. I am not as well versed as many of the above but enjoy the comments.

I'm having trouble with the 171i recognizing my iPod. The screen in the iPod says "This architecture does not support the connected equipment." Does anyone have a solution for this problem?

Just reclock it. Jitter is the problem, particularly with HF detail and depth/imaging.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio