Upgrading Wadia 170i IDoc to new 171 IPod dock

Wadia's iTransport has always garnered a wide array of opinions and, it seems, results.

I have had a 170 since the day they were available and like a couple others here, I have had zero issues with using it, I use an iPod Classic.

Also, some report not getting as good results as they do with their CDP. When I purchased my 170 I was using a Meridian G08 CDP and spent a lot of time comparing, in various ways. In the end I could not distinguish between the two if blind folded. My personal opinion is that results vary based on the DAC used and one is best served by using a DAC that does a great job at re-clocking the signal, if so one will garner great results. (My opinion.)

I can't imagine having to go back to a stand alone CDP again.

Disagreements about function and performance of the iTransport have been around since day one, I do not see that changing.

Dear Brian, you may have answered my original question about upgrading my 170i to the 171i transport. Does the new product sound better than the 170i? Like you said, with a good DAC you could not tell the difference between the CDP and the iDoc yet the On-Line dealer info said the new product plain sounded better, to sound better than what we have leaves me with the interpretation that it would sound better than the CD, maybe it's possible, but it leaves me with a sense of doubt. Sure it has a better remote and features, all of which I have no need. Lastly, I too love my iDoc as a music server with my IPod, i rarely play disks, only when I receive a new one and take a listen on my CDP to decide if i want to RIP it to my IPod. Thanks for your help!
Rpg

Rpg, I have had the exact same questions as you about it, with my thoughts being, given paired with a good re-clocking DAC and if it does sound better, why? That said, the better remote does interest me, but it would be a heavy price to pay for a better remote.

When you say, "...leaves me with the interpretation that it would sound better than the CD, maybe it's possible, but it leaves me with a sense of doubt."; I am not sure what you mean by that.

Brian, i read in a well known rag that the reviewer could not tell the difference between his 170i Doc and his 7K CDP playing the same disk he ripped to his IPod. So when I read in a mail order mag that the new 171i sounded better, how could it be? I think there is a huge factor here and that is the quality of your DAC. Right now, I can not tell the difference between my CDP and 170i, so if the new Doc sounds better, it raises an eyebrow. By the way, you can purchase just the improved remote, contact a dealer or Wadia.
Rpg

Rpg, I follow you now.

Was the review apples-to-apples? Was he reviewer using a separate DAC or the one in the CDP for compare.

Also, a thought is that you can store the music via iTunes using error correction and receive consistent and possibly better results.

There is much more to digital than I know for sure; I recall a reviewer reviewing a very expensive transport, around $15k I believe, and he found that without question a transport can make a difference, I don't know the "why's", but like you have questions.

What I do know is that I achieved equal results using my 170 and DAC when compared to my CDP, enough for me at this point.

Thanks for the tip on the remote.