Manage updates with the Download App
-
"Great sound but interface and build quality need work"
on by rickallen81Pros Open, spacious sound plus mids and lows more defined vs. standard dock. Synced up my iPod touch to Pandora and it made an awesome combination. Doesn't force you to use a remote like some docks.
Cons Power cord connection was finicky and disconnected frequently. Remote has 4 buttons that do nothing (?), build quality feels cheap for such an expensive product though it does look nice.
Summary I was excited to see a true iPod dock that could make my music sound better than a headphone cord could do. The sound quality didn't disappoint when I compared the two. The Wadia enabled sound that was obviously more refined and detailed. Background voices and instruments that faded away over RCA stood out much more over S/PDIF.
The power cord looks a lot like an S-video port and I had a lot of trouble getting it to fit securely. I had to get the cord just right to get a good connection only to be halfway into an air guitar solo and have the song cut out from the cord disconnecting. This isdisappointing since the box was nearly $400. The overall build quality is in the same category. The box is light and feels and sounds completely hollow. The materials look nice but don't feel as good as they look.
The remote is also poor for the price. It's small and sexy, but it's size makes it easy to lose in a couch cushion. Also, only 2 of the buttons even function. The manual says these buttons are for future functions. Likely, they just didn't want to make a new remote and borrowed one from another project. The buttons also had a delay that was unreliable so most times I just use the iPod to change channels and skip songs.
Overall, though, I think it's a great product. A few shortfalls make it a pain to use sometimes, but when it works as intended I'm a happy camper. -
"best product on the market for the iPod or iTouch"
on by CCeastsidePros looks good, a WADIA PRODUCT for under 400 bucks!!! excellent sound, easy to use
Cons mickey mouse remote, way to small, heck you could lose the darn thing!!
Summary i have a ASi Teknologies modified Wadia 170i with a built-in {state of the art} DAC by Doug Jesse, also with digital in and a swicth to go from the Wadia to the CD player all running through the DAC on my Wadia, and my CAL CL-10 can't come close to what this Wadia produces...WOW unbelieveable sound stage and depth in the music, these must be used with a DAC and Doug at ASi are one of the only people building these with the ON BOARD DAC... the best product with the best mod for them... you will not believe what these will sound like, they are HIGH END units for HT... finally someone has done it.... just go get one....
i forgot to tell evone that the iTouch flash drive is the way to go when running the Wadia 170i...you can use mt all iPods but it's not as good of sound with the hard drive units....
Updated on Jun 15, 2009 -
"Excellent Ipod dock from Wadia"
on by ecat124Pros Ease of use and enhanced sound quality.
Cons Limited functionality of remote control.
Summary I love this product because of what it does to the Ipod itself - it makes the Ipod sound quality rival those of CDs in a hi-fi stereo or H/T system by outputting pure digital data from the Ipod (thus bypassing the Ipod's inferior DAC) and sending the signal to the digital input of an outboard DAC, A/V receiver, or a preamp/processor where the conversion to an analog signal can be done. Since dedicated DACs and most receivers' on boad DACs are far superior to the Ipod's internal DAC, the sound quality is much, much, much better.
I used to have an Onkyo DS A2 dock hooked up to my receiver (Onkyo TX-SR 705) and I must admit that the sound quality was terrible. This is because the DS A2 dock simply transmitted the analog signal created by the Ipod's onboard DAC.
After purchasing the Wadia and hooking it to the receiver's digital input, I noticed a significant improvement in sound quality. This is because the Onkyo's on-board DAC was doing the digital to analog conversion, not the Ipod.
The sound quality got even better (CD quality) when I got myself a dedicated outboard DAC (PS Audio Cullen-modified DL III). Now, I'm extremely happy that I can enjoy transparent, detailed music in my system using my little Ipod nano.
Write a Review
Sponsored Premier Brands on CNET
