Why do Asian looks for old Wadia CDP at high price?

jl351,643 posts09-27-2017 7:01amWhat are some of the R2R Wadia models?  Thanks

These are some Wadia's that use Multibit:
The one with my favourite Multibit chip being the latest PCM1704

WADIA 9

8 x PCM63P-K + DSP – CS8412-CP

It's a DAC

WADIA 15

4 x PCM63P-K + DSP – CS8412-CP

It's a DAC

WADIA 16

4 x PCM1702-K + DSP – CS8412-CP

VRDS CMK-3.2 – KSS-151A

WADIA 25

4 x PCM1702-K + DSP

It's a DAC

WADIA 27

PCM1702 / PCM1704 + DSP

It's a DAC

WADIA 302

2 x PCM1704-K + DSP

Philips VAM1250

WADIA 381i

4 x PCM1704-K + 2 x DSP56004FJ50

StreamUnlimited

WADIA 521

4 x PCM1704-K + 2 x DSP56004FJ50

It's a DAC

WADIA 581

4 x PCM1704-K + 2 x Motorola DSP

Sanyo SF-HD65

WADIA 781i

4 x PCM1704-K + 2 x Motorola DSP

 

WADIA 830

4 x PCM1702U + Motorola DSP

Pioneer Stable Platter PEA1343

WADIA 831

PCM1704

Pioneer Stable Platter

WADIA 850

2 x PCM1702-K + Motorola DSP

VRDS CMK-4-a – KSS-240A

WADIA 860

4 x PCM1702-K + 2 x Motorola DSP

VRDS CMK-3.2 – KSS-151A

WADIA 861

4 x PCM1704-K + 2 x Motorola DSP

VRDS CMK-3.2 – KSS-151A

WADIA 861SE

4 x PCM1704-K + 2 x Motorola DSP

VRDS S-Type – KSS-151A

Cheers George

Thanks 

VRDS they don't make them like that anymore.

I sold it after auditioned with a Berkerley DAC Alpha 2. It made me couldn’t listen to my 861 anymore due to the Berkerley DAC has much much more details and sonics. The presentation that I have never had with 861 previously, things becoming unreal.

I'm looking forward to upgrade for an Emm labs DAC now

There are current manufacturers that use very old DAC chipsets because they sound better.  These include Naim, Zanden and Audio Note, among others.   Some of these old chips are expensive because they are coveted.  The priority for modern chips is to be very small and use very little power for use in mobile devices, and sound quality is not much of a consideration.  I have an older CD player (still in production) that utilizes the 1704 chip and it still sounds really good.

I also like a number of DACs that use resistor ladder multi-bit conversion, but, I don't know if this is the reason they sound good.  I owned a Wadia a long time ago and it sounded good and worked flawlessly.  Still, I am not certain I would get one unless I knew the transport was in really good shape or replacement parts are still available.  

I also wonder if there is such a thing as a different, "vintage" sound to DACs.  I know a dealer who hates the sound of most modern DACs, particularly when utilizing USB connection.  He thinks most sound to analytical, and while detailed sounding, that is accomplished by sounding bright and tizzy.  I have not looked into this myself to any great extent, but, I do know from my own experience that some highly regarded DACs, players and streamers are not to my particular taste.