Wadia modification

I have done business with Great Northern Sound and Steve Huntley(spelling?). I purchased a modified Wadia 850 from him. I am VERY pleased with the performance of the 850. It is very musical and sounds like live music in my system (Linn Klout amp and Magnaplanar 3.6R speakers). Steve helped me with a small problem I had with the player (my fault, not the 850's or Steve's) and was very friendly and knowledgeable. Steve is great to deal with and know's his stuff. The quality of his work is tops. The Wadia 850 CD player I purchased from his is the best sounding player I have heard. I recommend him without reservation. His prices are not cheap, neither are his modifications ("sonic-improvement-wise"). I have yet to hear or read of a complaint about Great Northern Sound.

I am not sure if it is worth the trouble ie the modification of the Wadia 850 when there are already superior technologies waiting at the sidelines such as the upsamplers and oversamplers that sound so much better. Modifying the red book format would only give you give you a different sound, it doesn't guarantee more musicality.

I have had Steve Huntley modify 5 pieces of audio gear in the last year--three for me and two for my brother. The results have been nothing short of spectacular. This is especially true of his mod to my Wadia 830, which has been the largest single improvement in my system in recent memory. Furthermore, he is one of the more likeable and trustworthy individuals I have met in the audio business. Regarding some of the above comments, several things must be kept in mind. Steve is essentially a one man operation. He has been inundated with service requests for Wadia equipment. Prior to Wadia's demise, Steve usually would respond to e-mails the same day. Recently, some of mine have gone unanswered too. I finally called him yesterday, and he confirmed the issues I have mentioned, and apologised more than was necessary. As far as other CD formats are concerned, no one knows where this one is going to land, and the issue of available media must be given due consideration. If some are content to confine their listening to a dozen sonic spectaculars, so be it, but if I had a stock Wadia player, I would have Huntley modify it in a heartbeat. I remain truly amazed at how much better my 830 sounds, and it's been over 4 months. (It's so good I'm about ready to throw caution to the winds and go visit Carl Eber for a shootout with his RA 50...oops, just kidding Carl!)

Is Steve doing 24/96 upgrades to wadia 850 players? Does he have the boards? Also, what other type of performance upgrades is he offering?

Just corresponded with Steve and did ask him about the 24/96 upgrade. He said, however, that he did not see the value of the upgrade and it would be a patent infringement should he tries to do it with the 850. He prefers to work on areas such as the analog section & power supplies (amongst other things) that would yield more tangible sonic benefits. As it stands right now, there are a few who has vouched those improvements. Talk to him; he seems like a nice guy!