Wadia 170 iTransport true digital system for iPod
discman -- Sun, 04/06/2008 - 10:21
This iPod D/A conversion system (unique I believe in not requiring modifications to access the digital signal from the iPod) was to have shipped by now. Has anyone tried it?
http://www.wadia.com/library/press_releases/170i%20Press%20Release.pdf
Not tried it, so can't really help, but the hype is there.
I don't even know if they really exist, as every Wadia dealer I've asked laughed when I mentionned this product, telling me to join the queue :)
That could be due to the fact that Wadia said at CES that the product would ship in March.
discman wrote:That could be due to the fact that Wadia said at CES that the product would ship in March.
I'm hearing that it's more like June now. We'll see.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
We've been trying to get a review sample, but production has been delayed. It's a very interesting product---the first officially sanctioned iPod dock that taps into the bitstream.
robert_harley6 wrote:We've been trying to get a review sample, but production has been delayed. It's a very interesting product---the first officially sanctioned iPod dock that taps into the bitstream.
I think that' true-As I understand it, even the elegant Krell Kid uses the iPods internal D/A.
Neil Gader Associate Editor The Absolute Sound
Channel Island have introduced the VDC 9.0, an upgraded power supply for the iTransport and the Squeezebox Duet. Has anyone had the opportunity to test this upgrade with either of these two devices?
Bob
I have the Channel Islands power supply hooked up to my Logitech Squeezebox Duet.
I plan to blog about it in the near future.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
I'm looking forward to reading your comments about the Channel Island power supply. where can I find them?
Bob
I just purchased the Wadia I70 doc, a new ipod Classic (my first) and then two days later, ordered and received the Channel Islands upgraded power supply for the i70 doc. I am very pleasantly surprised by the difference the new power supply has made. When I first brought the doc and ipod home, I was not very impressed by the general sound (I am using full resolution WAV format for storing the music). I thought it was okay, but the high frequencies were plain irritating. The lower registers were also a bit thin compared to just spinning the CD's using my Cambridge 840c (I am using it's input and DAC's to process the signal from the Wadia Doc).
The base is much fuller and better defined using the new power supply. Generally a more natural and flowing sound. More "pure". The doc alone is a great product, but it sounded overly digital and sterile alone in my set up. The channel Islands power supply is definitely a worth while upgrade if you own a Wadia i70 doc.
System:
Primaluna Dialogue Two, Cambridge 840c, Audioquest Jaguar and Panther cables, VPI Scout/Sumiko Blackbird cartridge/Sutherland PH3D, B&W 805s speakers wired with two runs of Audioquest CV-8's (bi-wire). Wadia i70 doc (now with Channel Islands Power SUpply) connected via Kimber Kable DV30 interconnect.
Hope this helps...
Steven,
I just read your review of the Channel Islands Audio VDC 9.0 in Enjoythemusic.com. You reported improvements to the sound produced by your Logitech Duet when using that device's analog outputs, but not with its digital outputs.
Jason's posting reports improved sound quality from the use of the VDC with the Wadia 170 iTransport, using the Wadia's digital output. Have you assessed the impact of using the VDC 9.0 on the Wadia for yourself?
Thanks!
Bob
I do not have a Wadia to put into my system. Also my review was based on using the Channel Islands power supply with the Squeezebox Duet, not the Wadia 170. GIven the differences between Duet and Wadia 170 it doesn't surprise me that someone would find the power supply makes an audible difference with the Wadia 170 while I found no difference using the digital outs of the Duet.
For those who wish to read my review at ENnoyThe.Music.com, the link is here.
Steven Stone
Contributor to The Absolute Sound, EnjoytheMusic.com, Vintage Guitar Magazine, and other fine publications
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