Used Wadia 16 for $2200, can you do any better?


Spending $2200, on a used Wadia 16, can anyone think of more performance for the dollar? Is there better sound to be had from any new or used cd player for this amount of money? Curent system ARC LS25MII, Classe CA-300, McIntosh MCD 7007 CD, Vandersteen 3A Sig w/2wq subs, MIT cable and Transp XLR int.
The weak link is the McIntosh.
What would you do with $2200 to improve the sound, I have a used Wadia 16 available to purchase?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts!
lpquick

Showing 1 response by dennis_the_menace

I was considering exchanging my Wadia 860x with a Wadia 16, and contacted Steve Huntly for his opinion, and here is what he had to say comparing the two:

I think that an "i" version of the 16 can be brought well beyond the
performance of an 860 but in all honesty it would be trade-offs to some
degree between a regular 16 modified to Reference level vs a stock 860x.
Personally I think the modified unit would be more musical, more dynamic,
more involving, but I would still have to say that the 860 would be a bit
more open, more transparent, a bit more detail, etc. Which choice is right
depends on your musical priorities and your system I guess.