Wadia Digital – DAC

The DAC above is the 27ix with GNSC Statement Upgrade. The costly GNSC upgrade does indeed make the DAC sound even better, without losing its Wadia signature. Steve Huntly used to work for Wadia and is considered to be a specialist who knows precisely where the products can be further improved. Alas, GNSC stopped providing their famous upgrades for Wadia components.

Wadia DACs sound special in part thanks to their DigiMaster algoritm, but as later post Fine Sounds DACs show, DigiMaster itself is not necessarily responsible for classic Wadia’s typical solid and sonourous sound. It’s also not due to discrete transistors in the output stage, as Wadia have always used OpAmps, except in the very earliest DACs such as the 2000. What is it then, that creates the trademark Wadia sound? This will probably remain anyone’s guess but it must be the combination of several elements.

Please note:

Unknown values are marked “xxxx”. Years with a question mark are not confirmed but likely close. Do please drop me a line if you have any of the missing info!

DAC

2000
1988-xxxx

Original Retail $7.000
The famous Wadia that started it all

Inside pictures

1000
1988-xxxx

Original Retail $5.000
More “affordable” version of the 2000

Inside pictures

X64.4
1988-xxxx

Original Retail xxxx
Successor of the Wadia 2000

Inside pictures

Pro DAC
1990-xxxx

Original Retail unknown

Exterior pictures

X32
1991-xxxx

Original Retail $2.500
Successor of the Wadia 1000

Inside pictures

9
1992-2000

Original Retail 19.058 euro
Still found by many to be the ultimate Wadia components

Inside pictures

12
1994-at least 1996

Original Retail 2.246 euro
The smallest Wadia DAC until the W121 came along
The only Wadia labelled simply “DAC”, not “Decoding Computer”.

Compact Review
Inside pictures

15
1993-xxxx

Original Retail unknown
Natural partner for the W8 transport

Inside pictures

26
1995-1997

Original Retail 3.607 euro
Could be seen as a more elaborate version of the W12, but sounds closer to the 25, with much more solid bass and better focus than the 12.

Compact Review

25
1996-1998

Original Retail 6.330 euro
Different in circuitboard design from the W27, with quite a different sound.
Very similar, maybe even identical, to the DAC section of the W16 CD player.

Extensive Review

27
1997-1998

Original Retail 10.210 euro
Unique, elaborate DAC section (not used in any Wadia CD player), with oversized power supply and fuller sound than a W861 CD player.
Up to 24bit 48kHz only

Extensive Review of the 27ix
Wadia 27ix GNSC inside pics
27, 27i and 27ix inside pictures

27i
1998-2003

Original Retail 12.615 euro
Unique, elaborate DAC section (not used in any Wadia CD player), with oversized power supply and fuller sound than a W861 CD player.
i Upgrade adds Clocklink for slaving the W270 to the W27
Up to 24bit 48kHz only

Extensive Review of the 27ix GNSC
Wadia 27ix GNSC inside pics
27, 27i and 27ix inside pictures

27ix
2003-2011?

Original Retail 12.900 euro
Unique, elaborate DAC section (not used in any Wadia CD player), with oversized power supply and fuller sound than a W861 CD player.
x Upgrade adds 24/96 capability

Extensive Review of the 27ix GNSC
Wadia 27ix GNSC inside pics
27, 27i and 27ix inside pictures

931
2005-2011?

Complete set (931 + 2x 922)
Original Retail 39.990 euro
Controller for the 921 and 922 mono DACs

921
2005-2009

Only available together with 931
Mono (single channel)
Must be paired with the 931 controller

922
2009-2011?

Only available together with 931
Mono (single channel)
Must be paired with the 931 controller
Improved power supply and analog section

521
2007-2014

Original Retail in the Netherlands 7.490 euro
Successor to the W27
More or less comparable to the DAC section of the S7i
24/96 max
No USB input (but rumoured clocklinked USB upgrade)
No Clocklink

Extensive Review

121
2011-2014

Original Retail 1.399 euro
USB input (excellent implementation)
Early 121’s had both 3,6mm and 6,3mm headphone jacks, older units had the small one replaced with a lamp.

There were apparently plans for two versions: $999 for the basic unit and $1,499 for the base unit plus a built-in headphone amp designed by Ray Samuals.

Extensive Review
121 reviewed in context of a computer setup with Genelec 8050s

321
2014-2015

Original Retail 3.699 euro
Successor to the W521 but with entirely different electronics
Sabre ES9018S DAC
USB input
24/192 max
Part of new range of products under ownership of Fine Sounds since 2011.
New enclosure of extruded aluminium and smoked glass, built by McIntosh.
Equivalent of the McIntosh D100 but using different versions of ESS Saber chips and different digital filters, resulting in different sound.

di122
2014-present