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
Actually, I am the guy who took the Wadia 861 w/ GNSC statment mod to Frank P's house. As much as I loved my moded Wadia (and I did love it), the DCC2 is certainly a few steps up (I sold the Wadia for a DCC2 and have not looked back). The ease, detail, and transperency of the DCC2 is just amazing. The inner detail of the Wadia is what I loved, but it does not match the DCC2. I believe I posted on this topic before on the Asylum. If you do a search, you should be able to find them. I would strongly recomend anyone looking into a one box player to consider the Wadia, but it is not the eqivalent of the more expensive DCC2 + Transport. All five people who heard the comparison agreed on this.
This is getting to be one chewy, & juicy thread! Wadia sounded "blah" "lifeless" and "dull!" Where all Hearing Aid battery levels checked prior to this audition??? Was the Wadia run though a Pre-amp, or Direct?
Well Audiobugged, since you clearly have superior hearing and a golden ear, suppose you enlightened all of us hearing impaired morons what such a highly gifted expert such as yourself heard when you compared the lowly Meitner and the oh-so-much better Wadia?

FYI, after I shut off my hearing aid, adjusted my Depends and my pacemaker, we ran the Wadia BOTH direct and through the EMM Switchman and it lost badly both times - but then again, that was to us daft idiots with no sense of hearing or music - you know, all six of us who conspired to bad mouth the Wadia.

Please fill us in oh exalted Audio God!
Another point to remember is cost involved, If I remember right the cost of the Wadia 27ix & 270se and the GNSC Mods are much higher than the DCC2 and Mod Philips.
Fmpnd, My appologies as I wasn't being sarcastic! And frankly Frank I do not appreciate such hostility in return. As I am all ears on this thread, just had a few additional questions. However since you started time to change your Depends, as the $#!+ sounds like it may be getting deep from here on?