Can the RA Opus 21 rock better than a Wadia?

Hi Raymond,

I haven't heard the Wadia's so I can't really compare them, but I have owned a couple of Resolution Audio Opus 21's so I can provide an opinion of it.

The RA Opus 21 is a very good CD player IMHO. I've owned 5 or 6 different high-end CD players and the RA Opus 21 is the one that I've preferred by a good margin. It is fairly analog sounding in my setup and it does have a very rhythmic sound. It has great bass definition and bass lines are very easy to follow, where they were somewhat muddled on some of my other CD players.

As Kurt stated, RA has a 30 day return policy and would only charge a 5% restocking fee if you returned it. I have owned 2 different Opus 21's that I bought used on this site. Both were perfect. The first one I re-sold at zero loss and I ended up buying another used one as I was unhappy with the interim player (a different brand) that I bought.

You may want to consider a used one since they seem to hold their value very well once the initial depreciating kicks in. A quality used one can be purchased for under $2500. You might get lucky and get one for around $2000 (as I did). Anyway, if you go used, make sure it is a very recent model with the "new" quiet transport and direct access remote control.

BTW, I use mine connected directly to my power amps using the built-in analog volume control. I save a bunch of money by not needing a comparably good pre-amp in my system.

Enjoy,

TIC

Thanks for all your helpful insight.

The Opus 21 is seriously tempting. Any Wadia users out there compared the two and have a take on this?

Give Steve Huntley at GNSC a call. He mods both, as well as being a dealer for RA, and a straighter shooter was never born! He'll give you very precise advice, I'm sure.

Here is a guy on Audio Asylum who compared the RA Opus 21 to the Wadia 301.

RA Opus 21 review

(There are several reviews of the RA Opus 21 on this site actually.)

Hope this helps.

PS The noisey transport issue was solved long ago, so unless you buy a used early model, it is not relevant.
Also, the new remote does have direct track access as well.

I'd take an Opus 21 over a 301 anyday. I prefer the RA21 over the 302 and by a safe margin to boot. I preferred the the Jolida 100 over the 302 but... That was highly system dependent and I had pain stakenly chosen my (emphasis on MY) favorite tubes for the Jolida. In a different system that outcome may have been just the oposite. Meaning, the Wadia was excellent but didnt make the midrange magic. I think due to its highly resolving nature.

The RA 21 on the other hand, does make that midrange magic and has resolution too. I have a RA CD55 and it is of the 21s pedigree. I can tell you that its no slouch at all. Without doubt the 21 is better than the 55. Much better.

Steve at GNSC was one of the most memorable and straight shooting guys I have ever spoken to. If I read bewtween the lines well enough, he has a preference for the Opus. If I were buying new, he would be the guy for me. ...And if memory serves me, Steve worked for Wadia for some time.

As far as the RA21 outperforming the 861? Hmm, well the stock 861 is a fine machine and that would be a tough call. In the right system the 861 can perform magic. But then again you can have a GNSC modded RA21 for about the same price and although I havent heard one... I bet it sounds great!