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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
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MicrosoftInternetExplorer4
Any chance of TAS reviewing the new Qsonix music server with Wadia Digital making the Digital output on these? Has anyone bought this product. Any thoughts by those who own this? It appears to be a state of the art implementation of music server with Digital out by Wadia (Wadia already has an exceptional reputation in digital audio). Robert Harley, any chance of a follow up on this server? you reviewed the older model a few years ago. (Sooloos seems to have amazing software but it seems like its designed to work best with Maridian products/speakers as far as audiophile sound quality is concerned). How does the new Qsonix/Wadia combo sound in comparizon to a sate of the art Transport?
http://www.qsonix.com/Public/v5/ProductQSeries.aspx
http://www.qsonix.com/Documents/QsonixNews_WadiaDigital.pdf
I spoke with Qsonix today; as they are local to me; it seems like they took an already great product and improved the digital output cards and sound; and increased flexibility to output to two zones with digital at same time(same play list), but they have options for having independant play lists...still needs to be connected to good outboard dac for best sound; they recommend aes balanced digital connections.
They appear to working on an upgrade path for us current uses of the current 100's series products to get us into their new 200 series, don't know pricing yet..
should be interesting to compare to Sooloos, but I'm no longer a fan of Meridian gear, the interactive features and ease of use with Qsonix is simply the best...now the sound will get up to enhanced digital playback level; which is what I'm looking forward to.
mribob
mribob, if you audition one or get some new info please share with us. It would be interesting to know how they upgrade the older models. From the website it appears they build the new 205 ground up as far as the digital out portion goes by Wadia digital company. I wonder how big of a jump in improvement this new AES/EBU out digital connection is?
Sam;
Sorry I was not more clear. I believe that Qsonix will assist owners of the initial 100 series trade in their pieces; and provide a credit adjustment to allow them to purchase the brand new 200 series units at a type of discount; I guess in a similiar vein that Meridian did to owners of the 861.4.2 to help them step up to the $25k new 861 v6. The hardware differences between the two units makes it impossible to upgrade the old units. They also said that there may be a program to facilitate and transfer all the stored music files onto the new box; so you would ship in the old; they would transfer the music files onto the new hardware; and send it back...cost not yet determined.
I think that shows tremendous support and concern to their present customer base; no one wants to have spent this type of money on a quality product and find out its now a 'boat anchor'. I too am looking forward to my evaluation and anticipated upgrade path. Not sure if there are any plans on Wadia to have an IS2 hdmi connection to help reduce jitter; like PSaudio did with their dac/transport units...glad to see that the new outputs are all digital; I'm hoping to be able to evaluate right after Labor day, more to follow.
mribob
Mribob, any new info on the 200. Did u get urs upgraded? Ur impressions.
Sam;
Yes; I purchased the new Qsonix 205 after trading in my older 1oo series unit. They transfered all my stored files; maintained all my home
network configurations; and it was plug and play. The new unit has 4 different type of digital output sources; all 'hot' including aes/balanced; spdif, usb, and
toslink. I ran this into the PSaudio perfect wave dac using the recommended aes balanced connection; and the sould quality; detail; spacial cues, and everything was outstanding; and much improved from the basic unit. This unit has no fan noise; is quiet, and functions better and smoother than the new unit. With their new 2.9 software release; which came automatically to my unit via the web; it now handles the metadata on HDtracks much better than earlier versions. I still think their gooie user interface is the best in the industry; and now their sound matches that. I was blown away with the improvement in all aspects of my listening experience. Clearly better in all aspects than the Sooloos; and a much recommended component for those wishing to have a integrated music server in their system that easily handles redbook cd's and 24/96 hi-res downloads. I believe it handles the higher source 24/192, but I don't have any of those sources in my library. I'm pleased with my decision to upgrade.
mribob
MRIbob, what are the other components in ur system other than pwd? And what digital cable do u use?
Sam; I have just completely modified my system. I now have a VAC Phi Beta tubes preamp, the PSAudio perfect wave dac/transport, the Qsonix 205, Bryston 28sst mono's powering MBL 111'es. My digital cable is the Purist audio preastus revision aqueous balanced, with Purist audio same IC's from dac to preamp, a very nice improvement over the Harmonic tech digital cable I was using. system is now as good as I can hear; everything sounds just right to me; no more digital harshness; tones, decay, staging all open, rich, clear, precise. I'm now done working on the system; and will start to enjoy scrolling thru my play lists, and enjoying listening to my music collection, and trying to find more good music to listen. these changes have resulted a huge improvements over my prior rig, which was based on a Meridian 861 processor, and no external dac, and average digital cables. The hi-res CD,
Stile Antico, 'Song of Songs', recorded in 24/88 from HD tracks is simple captivating in sonic purity, one of the best I have heard, friends get enraptured when I play this thru the system; sounds unbelievable. Please try that download, you may like it; its renaissance clerical singing in Latin, with just 7 people, but unbelievable...Hope my impressions in my system helps..no difference now at all in sonic texture/quality between a 16/44.1 rredbook cd played on PS audio perfect d/t combo vs the Qsonix now...its all equal and very good.
mribob
MRIbob, what's the exact configuration (disk size, screen size) and price of ur qsonix system? Their website doesn't allow u to do that any more. I would like to know how much I'm looking to spend on the new revamped wadia qsonix. If you can please write. If not no biggy.