Wadia Digital – (SA)CD Player
While the S7i pictured above with its StreamUnlimited transport is definitely a very good CD player, I still have a soft spot for the older 861 with its less resolving but fuller sound and super-sturdy, indestructible transport.
Model numbers
The model numbers can be confusing. While the “i” stands for “inputs”, Wadia started with CD players without an “i” that nevertheless had all inputs and outputs. In response to demand for more affordable products, they issued a “B” (Basic) model for the 861 that omits the extra connectivity. Still later they omitted the extra inputs and outputs on all normal models except for the ones with an “i” suffix. For example the standard 861 has all inputs and outputs, 581 only has analog out and 581i has all inputs and outputs.
Transport types
From the start and for the longest time Wadia used a Teac VRDS transport. It was only when Teac stopped producing it that Wadia needed to look elsewhere. The Pioneer Stable Platter mechanism was used in a few models, and the 302 even featured a Philips transport, but the audio world was changing and at a certain time audio-only transports were virtually at the point of being extinct. This is when Wadia resorted to CD ROM and DVD ROM mechanisms, and the StreamUnlimited transport as used for example in the S7i, which utilises an optical mechanism sourced from Sony with custom StreamUnlimited servo and loader mechanism.
SE
Special Edition, or, perhaps, Second Edition. Applies only to the 861 and the 581. In case of the 861 this marks the change from standard Teac VRDS CMK-3.2 transport to an upgraded Teac VRDS S-type transport, which is a CMK-3.2 + new bridge and brushless motor. In case of the 581 this indicates no performance update but an update that added better stability and reliability. Not all SE models were exactly alike however, and later SE models could be recognised by the slits in the sidepanels for improved ventilation.
VRDS
While the VRDS system is invented and produced by Teac, not Wadia, I do think that Wadia have actually helped establish the good name by using these transports in many of their products. Think about it: music lovers and audiophiles on a budget who heard about Wadia’s greatness would buy into the more affordable Teac VRDS players, hoping that it would give them a slice of that great Wadia sound. But while the transport is indeed the very foundation of CD reproduction, being responsible for a very large chunk of the eventual sound, there’s more to great sound than the quality of the transport alone. For me it is the combination of a VRDS transport and a Wadia DAC that makes the magic.
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!
(SA)CD Player
6
1992-xxxx
Original Retail $4500
Teac VRDS CMK-4 transport
Sony KSS-151A laser unit
16
1995-xxxx
Original Retail 9.756 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-3.2 transport
Sony KSS-151A laser unit
21
1995-xxxx
Original Retail 7.147 euro
VRDS CMK-4 transport
Sony KSS-240A Laser-unit
23
1995-xxxx
Original Retail 3.607 euro
Pioneer PEA1030 Stable Platter transport
850 standard (basic)
1997-2002
Original Retail 7.169 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-4a transport
Sony KSS-240A laser unit
No digital inputs or outputs
850 Inputs
1997-2002
Original Retail 8.531 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-4a transport
Sony KSS-240A laser unit
Digital Inputs (2x BNC, ST, Toslink)
850 Outputs
1997-2002
Original Retail 7.709 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-4a transport
Sony KSS-240A laser unit
Digital Outputs
850 Inputs and Outputs
1997-2002
Original Retail 9.071 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-4a transport
Sony KSS-240A laser unit
Digital inputs (2x BNC, ST, Toslink)
Digital outputs (ST, BNC)
860
1997-2002
Original Retail 10.799 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-3.2 transport
Sony KSS-151A laser unit
Digital inputs and outputs
830
1998-2000
Original Retail 4.537 euro
Pioneer PEA1343 Stable Platter transport
Digital inputs and -outputs are optional
831
Mystery Component
The Wadia 831 is mentioned in various places on the internet but I am quite sure that the 831 was never released as such, but as the 301 instead. Look at the prototype images… aren’t all buttons and displays in exactly the same position as for the 301? John Shaeffer commented that the 831 would feature a stunning new design. Well, for me it’s clear that this must have become the 301, which indeed has a radically different design.
861
1999-2006
Original Retail 11.500 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-3.2 transport
Sony KSS-151A laser unit
Digital inputs and outputs
Successor to the 860
Reworked DAC board compared to the 860
Extensive Reviews:
Compared to Krell, Meridian, CEC, Audiomeca
Integrated vs Trans-DAC
Compared to S7i
301
2002-2003?
Original Retail 5.400 euro
Pioneer PEA1343 Stable Platter transport
Digital out on coax
Digital inputs are optional
861 Basic
2002-2006
Original Retail 8.500 euro
Teac VRDS CMK-3.2 transport
Sony KSS-151A laser unit
No digital inputs or -outputs
Extensive Reviews:
Compared to Krell, Meridian, CEC, Audiomeca
Integrated vs Trans-DAC
Compared to S7i
302
2003-2007?
Original Retail 5.900 euro
Philips VAM1250 transport
Digital out on coax
Digital inputs are optional
861 SE
2003-2006
Original Retail 12.900 euro
Teac VRDS S-type transport (CMK-3.2 + new bridge and brushless motor)
Sony KSS-151A laser unit
Various digital in- and outputs
581 Basic
2006-2010
Original Retail 9.990 euro
Sanyo SF-HD65 CD-ROM mechanism
Multi-format: CD/SACD
Transport manufactured in Korea with optics manufactured in Japan, With modifications to the mechanism as well as the servo board, along with an additional board to help control the operational functions.
No Digital in- and outputs
Extensive Review
Compared to 781i
581i
2006-2010
Original Retail 11.990 euro
Sanyo SF-HD65 CD-ROM mechanism
Multi-format: CD/SACD
Transport manufactured in Korea with optics manufactured in Japan, With modifications to the mechanism as well as the servo board, along with an additional board to help control the operational functions.
i adds Digital in- and outputs
Extensive Review
Compared to 781i
581i SE
2007-2010
Original Retail approx 14.000 euro
Sanyo SF-HD65 CD-ROM mechanism
Multi-format: CD/SACD
Transport manufactured in Korea with optics manufactured in Japan, With modifications to the mechanism as well as the servo board, along with an additional board to help control the operational functions.
SE wasn’t a performance update but an update that added better stability and reliability. Later SE models could be recognised by the slits in the sidepanels.
781
2008-2010
Original Retail 12.800 euro
CD-ROM mechanism
No digital inputs or -outputs
Extensive Review (781i compared to 581)
781i
2008-2013?
Original Retail 17.990 euro
CD-ROM mechanism
i adds Digital in- and outputs (not USB though)
Optional USB input (U-upgrade)
Extensive Review (781i compared to 581)
381
2009-2013
Original Retail 8.990 euro
StreamUnlimited CD-ROM mechanism
Multi-format: CD/FLAC (no SACD)
No Digital in- and outputs
Based on the 581SE (but different transport)
Said by some to sound even better than the 781 with CD’s
381i
2009-2013
Original Retail 10.490 euro
StreamUnlimited CD-ROM mechanism
Multi-format: CD/FLAC (no SACD)
i adds Digital in- and outputs
Based on the 581i SE (minus SACD playback)
Said to sound even better than the 781i with CD’s
S7i
~2010-2013
Original Retail 16.490 euro
StreamUnlimited CD-ROM mechanism (Sony KHS313 or SF-HD870 optical pickup)
No SACD, but focus on best possible CD replay
981i
Mystery Component
The new SACD player that never made it past the prototype stage, which is a pity because it would feature the new 9 series design and if the picture is anything to go by it was going to have a “proper” optical transport.