2. digital
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Comparing Wadia vs. Meitner

I believe that this represents the pinnacle of CD playback. Jerry, a fellow audiogoner was gracious enough to allow me to audition his broken-in Meitner CDSD / DCC2. In my system, the boxes were switched with mine, so they each had the same cables, power conditioning, power cords, and stand. Both were run directly into the amp without a preamp. My CD playback system includes the Wadia 27ix / 270se with the latest software and full modifications from Great Northern Sound. Also included are Elrod Statement power cords, a Hydra conditioner, and a Mana rack.

In short, I think that these are both excellent units. They are also very different in what they do. In my system, it was easy to distinguish between the two within several minutes. It probably comes down to personal preference in deciding which is best here. I’ll just simply say that I’m keeping the Wadia because I think it is a perfect match for my musical preferences, my system, and what I appreciate in music.

What I love about the Wadia is its ability to convey an (absolutely) astonishing amount of detail without being harsh or fatiguing. Not only is the melody and rhythm imaged with speed and coherence, but you can actually appreciate the musicians technique, the weight and color of the instrument(s), and the ambience of the recording venue. It simply presents a convincing image of a live event. The emotional quality is all there. You can understand what separates a great and (justly) famous professional musician from a pretty good one. Everything is properly proportioned, the soundstage is appropriate and believable, everything is audible, and the background is silent. From complex orchestral pieces and opera, to vocals, to solo instruments, I do not believe there are any weak spots. Again, it simply convinces and fools the mind into believing that you are sitting in front of the performance. I have frequented the concert halls, and I’d hate to say it but sometimes the recording is better.

I think that just about anybody could probably be happy with either of these 2 systems. Of course, curiosity makes us wonder if the grass is greener. I am just very content with where I am right now. I'd invite Jerry to make some comments when he gets a chance.

Rob
rtn1
audiobugged
528 posts
 
GNSC, Steve join the club as I've been mistreated, I've been abused, I've been struck downhearted baby, I've been confused! Wadia say Steve, think that the Meitner digital flavor of the month, is going to slow things down at GNSC upon returning from vacation?

Rtl- Rob, Thanx for re-inviting me to this tread! However I now feel like a Red Headed Step Child with Dumbo like ears for having a non-positive 4 week Shrilling in the Highs redbook experience of the DCC2/SACD 1000 combo. With Wadia I was hearing every detail of Igor Stravinsky, not sonically fatigued, & short changed by having to settle for Stravinsy!

I will still e-mail you my detailed thoughts between Meitner -vs- Wadia, & will not post here as it's just not worthy! I was however more bias about the Phillips as a transport, & it may have been the Weakest Link? If it was ice cream it would have been "Rocky Road", as it did not add the "Everything But The Kitchen Sink" kind of ingredients to this combo!

Maybe the CDSD has changed things somewhat? Maybe in an all tubed warm, non-revealing, non-high resolution system the combo mates well for sonic utophia? Maybe I just needed more Q-Tips? Whatever it was I'm not ready to use my Wadia for a boat anchor just yet! I am now retreating back to the Golden Ear Lepercy Colony, shunned for simply having an opinion!

P.S. Next to a cure for Lepercy, I have contacted the Make A Wish Foundation for the term "analog like" to stop being used for Digital. Even SACD is not "analog like", it's just a hi-rez extension of Digital. A up/over/downunder sampling Cdp, or Dac may offer non-digititus sound qualities for redbook yet is still not the answer towards "analog like". However if your ultimate continual digital front-end upgrade quest is for true "analog like" sound then STOP & buy a TURNTABLE!
audio999
178 posts
 
Audiobugged,nuf said.

"A cdp may be non-digititus sounding. However if your continual digital upgrade quest is for true "analog like" sound then buy a TURNTABLE!"

Now we're talking...
panorama
74 posts
 
I think everyone is now in agreement. This thread is dead. It agonizingly died some time ago.
robm321
932 posts
 
I agree with audio99, all the wonderful words aren't going to make the meitner as good as analog.

I believe there are people who have spent a tremendous amount of money thinking they could have the best of the best with Meitner.

When in the back of their minds (or a troll under their bridge, if you will) saying you could have an incredible sounding TT and CD player as backup, instead you have all digital and you are still out the money.

This gentleman who started this thread says that to his ears the Wadia sounds better. Why is he getting attacked by the Meitner crowd? I think there is purchase justification going on.

Rob
audiobugged
528 posts
 
The Meitner crowd will fall to side lines soon just as the old Perpetual Technologies crowd did. Divorcing the Meitner to capture the next Precious Holy Grail Dac to Marry to their systems. Then we will have to listen to the whole ordeal all over again as they parade around their next New Trophy Wives! It seems that among this crowd / cult of followers, that gone are the ol'e days when a man purchased a Corvette for Bragging Rights when his libido went south?
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