Wadia 170iTransport - To mod, or not to mod?

Wow, the TADAC solved everything I wanted solved in my system.

I had Wadia > Onkyo 885 > Sunfire TGA-7400 > Salk SongTowers.

I wanted to improve the already great sounding digital path of music in 2 channel audio while keeping it all user friendly (WAF).

I added a TADAC with HT bypass: Onkyo pr-sc885 Pre > TADAC > Sunfire TGA-7400 > bi-wired to Salk SongTowers (because TGA-7400 has current source and voltage source outputs).

The TADAC, as far as I know, is the only DAC with HT bypass available. It also is a superb preamp, re-clocks the incoming music data (de-jittering), and offers beautiful tube sound.

Thumbs up TADAC: Wow, wow, wow.
I thought my system sounded good before .

Improvements: detail, texture, separation, LIVE-liness !!!

Positives:

* Sound, sound, sound.
* HT bypass working flawlessly. The TADAC can be ON or OFF and HTbypass works perfectly.
* No problems, hum, difficulties.
* It is all working via Harmony remote (turn on Activity "Digital Music" and the Onkyo 885 preamp shuts off and the Harmony uses the TADAC's volume control and mute. Turn on a DVD or TV, etc., and the Onkyo comes on and feeds front channels though the TADAC which has stayed on but the music was stopped automatically.
* Sound, sound, sound.

Negatives:

* It's not the prettiest.
* It does not power on/off via remote but by a large toggle on the rear.
* To keep the signal path short, the outputs do not mute when the headphone jack is used. You have to unplug the outputs to use headphones. Mine are hard to reach so it's a good thing I rarely want to use headphones. When I do, maybe it will be extra great with the short signal path....

Last positive: Paul is great to order from. He designs and builds the TADAC and he answers all questions via email.

Last negative: Paul has stopped building the TADAC but the good news is that he is building a new "PreDAC" which I assume will be similar but better?!

For me this answers the question to mod or not. At least for now. The music is so much improved.

I need to fix something in my last post (and don't see a way to edit).

After adding the TADAC, the stereo path is: WADIA/Ipod (not Onkyo) > TADAC > Sunfire TGA-7400 > bi-wired to Salk SongTowers (because TGA-7400 has current source and voltage source outputs).

I will continue to watch for other iTransport improvements such as Nrostov's great results with Wadia mods (linked above). Keeps me wondering how much better SQ can get?

Noshortcuts,

One mod I didn't get because I didn't feel like spending the money was to mod the Wadia so that it is battery powered. Even though I am using a Shunyata python as a power cord, and running it through a Shunyata V-Ray, I would imagine taking it completely off the electrical grid would be an improvement. Given my setup though I don't know how much of an improvement it would be. Is say a 3% improvement in sound quality worth an extra $695? In these tougher economic times these are the things I think about. Even though I can afford it I always ask is it worth the money.

MY WADIA 170T ALL MOD
1 POWER UNIT AC/DC CONECT WBT
2 CLOCK 12.0000 MHZ 0.001 PPM
3 CLOCK POWER 5V CONECT RCA
4 4 DIGITAL OUT(AES,RCA,OPTICAL,BNC)
5 WORD SYNC CLOCK , IN AND OUT

ALL MY DIY