Wadia 861SE with GNSC Statement Upgrade

Chadeffect,

To some degree it appears we are in agreement. Resolution is definitely an important characteristic of a front end's presentation but as noted above, imo, it's not so important that it renders everything else secondary.

With regard to disparaging products due to their age, you're on a *very* slippery slope and not particularly well placed to be the poster child for that movement.

Chadeffect,

Everyone has differing tastes but if you're going to attempt to slam something at least put some effort into making your "critique" credible.

With regard to the 861se GNSC Statement, I still own it as I have yet to hear a one-box that imo out performs it (some players do some things better but I'm speaking of an overall presentation) in the 15K and under range (I've heard the Esoteric X-01 Ltd, Meridian 808.2i, dCS Puccini, newest version of the Burmester 001 (this was 23K I believe) and Levinson 512). As has been stated above, the players I've heard would be a lateral move at best (and some would be a downgrade imo).

I've run the player direct for some time and again, your description of the player's attributes is completely out of line with what I've experienced (and those of practically all others including, recently, Hi-Fi+).

With regard to a preamp, try the Ayre KX-R, there's no downside ime.

Chadeffect,

Let's leave it at you heard something generally inconsistent with what everyone else is hearing.

You appear to be fixated on resolution and in that regard some players do improve upon the Wadia but overall these players are generally at the same level as the Wadia since the Wadia does other things better than them (this is what I was talking about earlier).

As to the single box players that I've heard recently, scroll up to my first post in this thread.

I haven't. When I was making the decision to purchase the 861se Statement I had the option to pick up a 581 Statement, but given the problematic transport (which appears to be resolved now) I made the decision at that time to steer clear of their new line until they implemented a proper transport. This will happen with the 981 and it is likely that the 981 Statement will be the next front end in my system.