Wadia 861 GNSC Reference Upgrade

Hey Philefreak,
How bout them Eagles? I have a Wadia 861 with a GNSC statement upgrade and I have changed every piece in my system over the last couple of years with the exception of my Wadia. Yes, I've had it modified, but every time I send it to Steve for something, I get it back sounding better than ever. Some day I plan on having the SE upgrade done. In the meantime, I have experimented with algorythm changes and I ultimately ended up on A.

algorithm A PERIOD

I would agree that if you are doing an upgrade, you might as well go the whole hog. I have the SE with statement mods which I shipped half way round the world. I wouldn't change my Wadia for anything. I use algorithm A. B and C seem flat and lifeless in my system. The only thing that improved my Wadia was the addition of a Supratek preamp. Now that I'd recommend!

I agree that algorithm A gives the music sparkle and life that doesn't seem as apparent in B and C. The difference is quite subtle, and perhaps I'd be hard pressed to guess which mode I was in if blinded. My general sense is that the top of the frequency is rolled-off slightly and more progressively with B and then C. This is in contradiction with the product manual, which claims 'an extended top' with B and C. On the 27ix, there is also a resolution enhancement, which I turn off. This enhancement gives the effect of more 'air', but I find it adds an unnatural decay to the instruments.

Rob

A second to Mejames' and Markvetnz's statements: "A" is my only choice, and my Supratek Chenin made a pre-amp vs no pre-amp believer out of me.