Hello,
I recently had my 861 modified by Steve. I chose his statement mod package. The sonic improvements include a smoother , more relaxed, more natural sound. Dynamics are still there, but now the player is not in a rush to deliver the goods.
The modded player seems to get me closer to the performers in a more real and fleshy kinda way. I can now feel the performer more instead of just hear the music. Its hard to explain.
When I first decided to pony up the dough for the mod, Steve said that I would forget about SACD. I said to myself, "Yeah right Steve! SACD is the bomb! How could this be. I really didn't expect the player to better an SACD player. I just wanted the best Wadia 861 or redbook player I could afford.
The modded player does not sound necessarily "better" than SACD. But, I don't play my SACD's much anymore. I don't even worry about it anymore. My 80's soft rock music now sounds like music or shall I say more like music. Some of those recordings really suck. Vocals with both jazz and rock sound incredibly real on most of my recordings now.
All in all, the Wadia is still the Wadia in everyway. Bt it's more refined now. It has better manners. It also sounds way better direct to my amps now. Even low level listening sounds fine. Nevermind losing bits. I get deep base and articulation at very low levels with amazing clarity. There is no grit or grunge going direct anymore. ..just music. The player also seems to play quieter if you can believe that!
Anyway, my upgrade was costly. But I dont miss the money because Steve did exactly what I had hoped for. He beautified the sound while retaining the dynamic character that is the trademark od Wadia. I hope this helps.
I recently had my 861 modified by Steve. I chose his statement mod package. The sonic improvements include a smoother , more relaxed, more natural sound. Dynamics are still there, but now the player is not in a rush to deliver the goods.
The modded player seems to get me closer to the performers in a more real and fleshy kinda way. I can now feel the performer more instead of just hear the music. Its hard to explain.
When I first decided to pony up the dough for the mod, Steve said that I would forget about SACD. I said to myself, "Yeah right Steve! SACD is the bomb! How could this be. I really didn't expect the player to better an SACD player. I just wanted the best Wadia 861 or redbook player I could afford.
The modded player does not sound necessarily "better" than SACD. But, I don't play my SACD's much anymore. I don't even worry about it anymore. My 80's soft rock music now sounds like music or shall I say more like music. Some of those recordings really suck. Vocals with both jazz and rock sound incredibly real on most of my recordings now.
All in all, the Wadia is still the Wadia in everyway. Bt it's more refined now. It has better manners. It also sounds way better direct to my amps now. Even low level listening sounds fine. Nevermind losing bits. I get deep base and articulation at very low levels with amazing clarity. There is no grit or grunge going direct anymore. ..just music. The player also seems to play quieter if you can believe that!
Anyway, my upgrade was costly. But I dont miss the money because Steve did exactly what I had hoped for. He beautified the sound while retaining the dynamic character that is the trademark od Wadia. I hope this helps.