Wadia 861 CD player / DAC / preamp with 24bit / 96kHz inputs

Further Information: 

This is a re-post of the original ad with the only difference being, that it is now converted to 240V AC.

The original transformers are still in use and the only change was in shifting of couple of links on AC filter board.

This is commonly acknowledged as the best player Wadia has ever made.

Comes with original double box, manual, original remote, spikes - full works.

I cannot say it is unmarked, because used stuff never is, but it is very close to it.

Local, cash (or bank transfer) paying buyer, will enjoy unconditional 12 months warranty. 

For those who worry about lasers, I have plenty of spare KSS-151A units, including a Brand New one, so this player can be kept going forever. The laser in it however, is less than 10% used up, so it is not an issue to be concerned with.

I bought it for myself in USA as my end game player but times are tough, so I am offering it for sale. It has never been repaired and I think I was the first one to open it up to take pictures.

The unit started its life as Wadia 860 (and this is what it says on the front panel), but has been factory upgraded to Wadia 861 (and hence it became 24/96 capable player / preamp / DAC (it has a set of inputs).

The R.R.P. in Holland was €11,500 which in 2004 equated to over $A20,000.

Features:

• 4 x Burr-Brown PCM-1704 DAC chips. These are laser trimmed, resistor ladder DACs and are the last multi-bit DACs made, before the arrival of current, cheap, Sigma-Delta rubbish. 
• Sony KSS-151A magnetic drive laser mechanism with Esoteric VRDS disc drive.
• 4 Digital Inputs allowing this unit to be used as DAC. These are: 1. Glass Optical (pro ITT connector), 2. AES / EBU (XLR), 3. SPDIF (BNC) and 4. Toslink (plastic optical)
• 4 Digital Outputs allowing use as Transport. Same connectors as Inputs above.
• Wadia Digimaster DSP signal processing (done prior to signal entering the DAC).
• Choice of 3 DSP individual profile Algorithms.
• Wadia Clock-Link. This is sometimes used in top end gear between transports and DACs and allows the DAC to control the transport's mechanism to minimise jitter. Here it is 1st time used in single chassis player
• Fully balanced, dual differential topology. 6 audio channels (4 for Hot and Cold balanced outputs on XLRs and 2 for Single Ended outputs on RCAs).
• Variable analogue outputs which allow the player to be used as both source and pre-amp and to be connected straight into a power amplifier (which Wadia recommends).
• Faraday cages employed throughout, separating and encasing power filter, transformers and servo board.
• Signal Polarity control from remote
• Huge and heavy (25kg) chassis. Spikes.
• Now professionally converted from 120V to 240V AC operation.

Apologies for poor quality pictures, but the unit is sitting on top shelf and it is two men job to take it down.

Top row are Analogue Outputs with white & green Oyiade cables

Middle row are Digital Inputs with AES / EBU red cable is visible (and partially Toslink)

Bottom row are unpopulated Digital Outputs. Left to Right AES / EBU, Toslink, SPDIF (BNC) and covered Glass (ITT Optical).

Booting up

ClockLink engaged on Internal VRDS CD Drive

Volume controls set to full scale (100).

Triple boxed as it arrived from USA. The seller from Colorado encased Wadia's double box in a third one.

Edited 22 minutes ago by rockeater