[Review] Shootout No.390S, Wadia 830, CEC+Ack, Arcam

Shootout No.390S, Wadia 830, CEC+Ack, Arcam

I have done a shoot out yesterday with some friends, featuring:

- Wadia 830
- Mark Levinson No390S
- CEC TL-2x + Ack dAck 1.2d
- Arcam CD23

The ML had the best presentation by far, it is technically simply purrrfect... Not to my taste however. I found the CEC+Ack simply the most involving, although technically least accurate (although most natural highs, very good ambient detail retrieval, very smooth and involving vocals). The Wadia had something going for it compared with the Arcam, but it didn't touch the ML.

What I need is a better NONOS DAC!!

 

I wouldn't expect the 830 to, you would need to compare it to an 860/1

 

How would you rate/classify the 860/1 in comparison with the other players mentioned? Will it have a more fluid, less 'mechanical' sound than the 830?

 

Just slightly

 

Was that a joke wadia-miester? I own an 830, and I would like to know......

 

What do you wish to know Eric?

 

garmt, with that brief - fluid, less mechanical - you need a wadia 16.

 

Well, of course I know the only way to judge a product is to listen. But there are only a few Wadia dealers here in The Netherlands, so that is not that easy. I would like to know the main differences between the 830 and 860/861, both in character and in quality. And is it really a major step, or a nice upgrade? And what currently available CDP (any brand) would be comparable to the 830 (if such a comparison is possible at all)?

I know, a lot of questions

 

Main differenices,
Realism, palpability, depth, detail, flow, solidity and musicality and REAL BASS.
The 830 is a good first rung on better cdp ladder, but is quite away off the top.
A maxed out tweaked version, might just stay with a 860 with a swish power lead on stillpoints.
They are a different character to the 830 (philips Mech) as opposed to the TEAC unit
The 301 I'm not particularly fond of, however it can be made to sound good.
The 302 is imho Pants
The 860/1 is far more resolved and cohesive sound, much much better depth and realism, solid imaging, bass to make you smile, tight too.
Though the 830 is a little more funky, they are best run direct (imho) into a transparent power amp.
The last question depends on how you like your music?, are you a presenation guy
groove or staging?

 

Funny, I have heard the 302 and indeed thought it was crap, even after many, many hours of running in and pampering.

Interesting...

If I may speak for me: naturalness, flow, fluidity, 'magic'. As totally opposed (IMHO) to a 390S, but in the shootout, me and another guy were the only ones who liked the CEC+Ack better than the 390S.

I will let Eric speak for himself here.

 

Thanks for the tip!

 

What I want is of course also naturalness, flow. But also 3D soundstage, focus (I listen to large orchestra, e.g. Mahler etc.), control...

 

WM
What do you think of the Wadia 6 I own , in comparison to the 861?

 

Peter,

The i version is more akin to the 850, but slightly faster and not as full in the bass.
Nice flow to the music.
Against an 861, hum its a way off in all depts. but it is musical
Though I prefer it to the 301/2 no problems at all.

 

WM,

How would you rate my 830? Would modifying it help (for example, Wadia offers a "p" (power supply) upgrade)? Or would it be wiser to go for a 860/861 to get more performance (quite a step though, I bought my 830 some months ago for about 1100 Sterling, a serious mod would be cheaper than buying a 861 (not less than 3500 Sterling I'm afraid)).

 

You could consider an 850 aswell, around 2k

 

Hi Eric,
Yes Wadia have now starting doing a psu board for the 830/301, it improves the sound in all areas, particularly innthe bass and definition.
However, there are a few modifiers that have been doing this for more than a few years now, its a great start point!!!
The 830 needs analogue stage output mods, opamp replacement, more power filtering, PLL mods, damping, cap changes, quality input power etc.
Though for me the overidding factor is the Poineer stable platter drive, for me It doesn't produce the true wadia sound, only the Vrds does that, Plus the drive is now obsolite.
Yes an 860 would set you back around £2600-£3200, you could try an 850 a very natural and analogue sounding player, great presence coupled with a very musical flow. Also worth investigation is the Wadia transport and dac combo of the 20/25, the later 25's have the 860 dac board inside. Wm

 

WM,

Thank you for your answer. Would you be able to give some estimate about the performance level of the 830 with all mods you mention compared to buying a non-modified 850? And (apart from the problem that I live in another country and would need to have it shipped to you, or find someone in NL that could do it) what would be the cost of the mods (the Dutch Wadia distributor would charge £540 for the "p" upgrade)? One of the reasons I consider modifying my 830 instead of buying an 850, is that I have spent quite some money on hifi last years. And carrying in again another new box (the 850) would lead to more problems (wife acceptance) than sending the 830 away for "service". Stupid maybe, but that's how it is

 

ERic,

The 850 uses the same dac board as the 830 unless its the later one.
The modded 830 would be better in performance virtually every where than a stock 850, though the bass the 850 has is quite unique (groovy wise) took a while to replicate it even on the SE.
My main thought is the transport, the 830/301 are very difficult to source componantes for not impossible but difficult.
The new wadia 302 uses a PHilips pro drive, and its really not the same, its pretty bad imho.
If you wish to go into great detail, could you mail me on the webisute please Eric many thanks Wm

 

I'll do. AFTER I had posted my reply, I realized that talking about prices etc. is maybe not a very good idea to do here.