Priaptor

Agree. My query was strictly because they had their premium Reference 600K+ product set up in the same system, so an A/B I thought, would be a natural at an introduction of such a unique product

Thanks Chris. Curios in that jpeg, I see the full blown WADAX. Did you have a chance to A/B it with the studio player? Look forward to your further reports. As I have indicated, I am hoping to have a session with the Studio player and compare it to my current CH 1.2 on Oct 9th when I get my Riviera stuff delivered.

Thanks. Looking forward to it. Hoping to have a personal demo of it when my Riviera Pre and dual monos get delivered Oct 9th and will compare the Wadax to the CH 1.2

any first impressions?

Hi Chris, Let us know what system you are listening to it with as well as the unit has been ROON upgraded as they said it would be at launch. Also, if you have any chance to listen to similar cuts on CD/SACD v. Files that would be great as well. Look forward to your listening impressions. I'm hoping to have an evaluation in my system Oct 9th

I agree I have BEEN THERE and done that as have you and having been in this game since the 80s one thing I have learned is that a short or relatively short audition may not be enough. even now with my “experience” sometimes it’s hard to differentiate “different” from “better” which very often requires a long audition which may or may not be available to most.

Don't disagree with anything you said. There will definitely be a market among end-users especially early on with pent up demand most from those with upgrade paths. My only point was that the designers and manufacturers of these uber expensive DACs have the luxury of limiting their risk on these products, with a built-in customer base of dealers, reviewers and other manufacturers before an end-user even buys one.

Agree my only point was the risk to the manufacturer of developing and selling these products to an extremely small market place is highly limited by their main clients, namely dealers, reviewers and other manufacturers

I think one thing that is important to remember regarding these uber expensive DACs (as well as some other components) is who is really supporting the cost of the R&D? Now I know lots of people will start with the Asia, etc. but when you have DACs at price points of 300+k to 600+ and above there really is a limited end-user market. Just look at WBF, a forum with some of the most expensive equipment, just not many with a 600K WADAX. HOWEVER, the speaker makers, the electronics (amp/preamp) manufacturers, reviewers, and of course the dealer really buffer companies like WADAX and now MSB and dCS from the otherwise massive exposure they would otherwise have. When you go to a show it is impressive how many are showing with a 600K WADAX they own. Now they are getting it at a fraction of what I would have to pay for it but even a fraction covers the manufactures overhead and buffers the losses they would otherwise be exposed to IF they were strictly dependent on the end-user consumer.

I just find it interesting that WADAX, who in my opinion hit the market just right for a 500K+ DAC with their cables and now with what may be a softening economy are releasing a trickle down "reasonably priced" DAC whereas MSB and DCS are catching up to WADAX with their version of the super expensive DAC. Interesting times in the DAC world.

Hi Chris, Thanks I am eagerly looking forward to your review on this. I am very seriously considering this. In the process of finishing my room. As you know, my friend is the importer for Gobel speakers. In the process of trading out my CH precision M10 and L10 for the Riviera dual mono and preamp. Still have the C1.2 DAC but am very interested in this Wadax. My understanding is they will be implementing ROON compatibility at or shortly after they start shipping. I'm hoping to have one for a trial as well sometime in Sept.

I couldn’t agree more this bickering is so petty. In reality, take any “audiophile” with just about any equipment out there today and properly setup and almost all would be extremely happy from the most affordable to most extreme. I’m amazed when I see these prejudices going to the extreme because as you stated it’s all pretty remarkable these days.

How a “show” is covered by a “high-end site”, the site I reference I will leave BLANK. It all starts out cordially, with the initial contributors being humble, unbiased, and giving a gestalt perspective of what they have seen, some kind enough to show some pictures, recognizing the limitations of show conditions but giving their opinions with the caveat of hearing them in show conditions. Next phase, owners, dealers, and distributors enter, whether at the show or not and criticize the “initial contributors’ opinions”. The slings of you didn’t listen long enough, no horn ever sounds as good as the best box speakers, you obviously didn’t listen properly to those ribbons, I have heard Wilson/Magico/Fill-In-The Blank and IMHO I respectfully disagree and think they are junk, etc. Next phase becomes overtly hostile with those owners, distributors, self-proclaimed experts, and dealers becoming overtly polarized and not just criticizing any equipment they don’t own or sell but only recognizing their own as worthy and all other doesn’t live up to the standards of that equipment. Last phase are the fights, condemnation of any opinion other than their own with outright threats and hostility and calls to shut down any poster, with each poster thinking they are on the side of righteousness.

It hasn’t been but am open to anything at this point. I’m in no rush as the C 1.2 is a great performer as my interim. I’ll listen to what others have to say about it before exploring

Totally agree. As I said to my pal from Bending Wave, “the industry” has lost all sense of and grasp on reality when a 40k CD player and streamer is looked upon as a “bargain” and because of the bargain it is void of basic capabilities almost all of us require. I was pretty disappointed at the news.