Headphone Amp/DAC Reviews

Wadia 121 Decoding Computer Specs

Specs
Compatible Playback Formats: Up to 24-bit/192-kHz resolution
Internal Processing: 32-bit/1.4-MHz
Dimensions (W x H x D, inches): 8 x 2.6 x 8
Weight (pounds): 2.5
Price: $1,299

Connections
Digital Audio Inputs: USB (1), AES/EBU (1, XLR), optical (1, Toslink), coaxial (2, BNC/RCA)
Analog Audio Outputs: Stereo balanced (XLR), single-ended (RCA), quarter-inch headphone

Company Info
Wadia Digital
(763) 577-0593
wadia.com

COMPANY INFO
Wadia Digital
(763) 577-0593
wadia.com
ARTICLE CONTENTS

COMMENTS
Kris Deering's picture
Submitted by Kris Deering on March 18, 2013 - 11:16am
Great article Mark! Any chance for a comparison with our just reviewed Oppo BDP-105? It has dual digital inputs (coaxial and SPDIF) along with an asynchronous USB input and a built in headphone amp. Sounds like it would be a great comparison piece. Also, do you know what DAC the Wadia is implementing? The 105 is using the SABRE32 Reference DAC in a stacked configuration and sounds incredible.
Mark Fleischmann's picture
Submitted by Mark Fleischmann on March 22, 2013 - 1:47pm
I'd love to add a BDP-105 to my rack but the existing BDP-83 SE will probably hold on for a long time given its build quality. The manufacturer just fixed a sticky disc drawer for me at no charge. I think of it as a longterm relationship. I don't like to change reference components too often -- the record holder was the Rotel RSC-1165 receiver which lasted eight years and succumbed only because it was pre-HDMI. According to a post on head-fi.org the Wadia 121 also uses the SABRE32. Though I'm reviewing a few standalone DACs, I think the future for home theater systems is to build the USB DAC into surround receivers. Pioneer has already done it in the Elite SR-68 and Cambridge Audio in the Azur 751R. So soon it'll be more a feature than a product, except in the two-channel and desktop domains.
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