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Wadax Reference Dac and Reference Server--arrived in my room.

i debated with myself whether Audiogon was an appropriate forum to talk about these products. a certain number of Audiogon members might like to hear about them, some others might like to take some target practice that such products exist. others just like to make jokes or spout nonsense. such is the way of the ’Gon. to each their own.

http://www.wadax.eu/reference/

both the Wadax Reference Dac and Wadax Reference server arrived last week, and over the weekend i had 8 visitors through my room hearing these new products compared directly with my outgoing MSB Select 2 dac, and my resident server, the Taiko Extreme.

here is a thread with pictures of the Wadax Ref dac and Ref server in my room. scroll down for more pictures.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/wadax-reference-dac-and-server-arrive.34173/#post-771357

as a result of my listening this weekend, i have purchased the Wadax Reference dac, and am in the process of comparing the Wadax Reference server to my Taiko Extreme server to determine which one will remain. the MSB Select 2 is outbound on it’s way to a new owner.

the Wadax combo is the best sounding digital music reproduction i have heard, and not by a little bit. they cross thresholds of sounding analog and like good vinyl in ways i’ve never heard before. i am stunned at how digital in my room sounds, how great redbook files i’ve heard for 30 years have now come alive.

happy to answer any questions, or maybe observe a little chaos. let the fun begin.

 

mikelavigne
headphonedreams
523 posts
 

Congrats!

All reviews I've seen of the Wadax Ref says it is something special. I will never be able to afford it but I am glad someone improves the sound from digital .

Hope it will trickle down some day. Maybe they can license their tech to others?

mikelavigne OP
2,175 posts
 

my Extreme is going to a new happy owner. i'm buying the Wadax Reference Server.

on Friday night my friend Victor, who owns is an MSB Select 2 and is an Extreme owner, came over to assist with the compare. Victor also brought a Gigaswitch and LPS to optimize the copper Ethernet that both the Wadax and Extreme would use. both the Extreme and Wadax server were sitting on Dazia's. we used TAS for the Extreme, and Roon obviously for the Wadax. Emile had optimized the USB driver for the Wadax Reference dac.

we did the compare, first three tracks with the Wadax Server, then those same three with the Extreme. i'm not going to speak on behalf of Victor. but it was a clear choice. we move on. synergy? Akasa Optical link? hard to know cause and effect exactly.

the Extreme/Wadax Ref dac is awesome in every way. the Wadax combo is better.

phantom_av's avatar
phantom_av
321 posts
 

Mike,

 

I owned the Reference DAC and preferred the Playback Design, Iv had a loaner on the select 2 from a friend for about 10 days. I still preferred the Dream Series from Playback Design. Overall i think the MSB are very nice DACs but the Playback Design was less fatiguing and DSD on the playback was outstanding.

Obviously i can not compare the Wadax to the Playback Design Dream Series but the price alone would have you think the Wadax is a better Dac considering its almost 6 times the price tag.

 

For digital i tend to lean to something that is less fatiguing and musically evolving, The Dream Series keeps getting better with every software upgrade Andreas releases.

 

I would imagine your Wadax would be the Reference DAC for the next couple of years and im not suprised about system synergy Its always better to use the Streamer and DAC from the same company.

 

The Playback Dream Series also uses its own Proprietary Fibre Optic Cable from Streamer to DAC, Iv tried a bunch of diffrence Streamers connected via USB and nothing could match the Performance of the fibre optic cable.

mikelavigne OP
2,175 posts
 

for those interested, here is where i decided between the Wadax Ref  Server and the Taiko Extreme Server.

https://www.whatsbestforum.com/threads/wadax-reference-dac-and-server-arrive.34173/page-16#post-773661

willgolf
933 posts
 

Mike

Congrats on being able to compare two beautiful systems and deciding what is best for you. I have heard your system is something to hear and behold. I am not at your level but that does not matter. We all enjoy our music to the best of our capabilities. And yes, posting on this site is totally different than WBF. I just had Audiogon take down my thread on Horizon due to the comments. Happy Listening!

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