Wadia? Should You Go Direct In Or Preout

First off, the 2 volt setting is with the #2 switches in the off or flipped (from factory setting) position. I found I had to do this with my Classe PREAMP in order to match the voltage and use volume levels above 12, which is low, and as it states in the Wadia manual, this could cause distortion at any listenig level. When I lowered the voltage, the sound was noticably much better and cleaner, and volume was now in the 20s, with a max of 60. I have an 830, and was driving it direct. It was harsh, aggresive and lacked air. I found a good preamp such as the Classe CP50 was much better. I think it is important to check the voltage with and without a preamp. I was told this by Robert at Classe Audio, and when I checked the manual, there it was. I believe the factory setting is 4.5 volts.

I want to add that Wadias method of setting voltage is that the correct voltage when going direct, is that seven LEDs should be lit when you are listening at normal levels. There are stetting for each voltage.

My info about settings above relates to my Wadia 830.