Brandnew WADIA Decoding Computer

They had a prototype at CES a few years ago, I guess this is the finished product.

Without any accounting for different rooms, speakers, electronics, etc., at the time I fould the sound produced by the Meitner system to be superior. They would have to be placed in the same system, of course, for a true test.

I believe that I qualified my statement by saying "Without any accounting for different rooms ... " Surely that states that I am only giving an opinion of complete systems, and an opinion that was shared by the majority of the people that I spoke with.

As for my own personal opinion? I've never heard the Meitner in a system that I'm familiar with, but I have A/B'ed the Wadia 861se against an ARC CD3 and, according to my ears, the ARC beat the Wadia in every way imaginable. As far as I'm concerned, Wadia is an effort of great design and poor engineering.

Could Themadmilkman please explain what exactly he´s heard???

Simple. I find the Arc to be sublime, inviting, and a pleasure to listen to. I find the Wadia to be flat, uninvolving, and overpriced. But this is simply an opinion based on my listening preferences. I certainly have no concern for what anyone else likes or purchases. But in the test system (ARC Ref3 --> Theta Dreadnaught --> Vandersteen 5A) switching from the CD3 to the 861SE seemed to pull the life and passion out of the music. Was it a question of synergy, listening bias, etc.? Who knows, I can only comment on what I heard, and in my mind the CD3, at least in the system used, is superior.

I do admit, however, that Wadia makes some of the best looking gear in the industry. I wish that more companies would try and imitate that aspect.