RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC

Digital Drive

Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

In Reply to: used Bryston or Wadia DAC posted by sailor on June 2, 2015 at 10:20:46:

I am not sure exactly what you mean by "the ability to entertain for long periods." I am certain you would not find either unit lacking there. Keep in mind that as fine as the BDA 1 unit may be that Bryston is primarily an amplifier company while Wadia had been exclusively a digital specialist.

I previously owned a Model 15. That unit retailed at $4K when new which is considerably more than the Bryston is at retail in today's dollars. I used my 15 with a Model 20 Transport. I traded mine into a dealer for a 27i and the Model 20 for a 270. The 15 ran very cool while the 27i very hot. I currently own a very highly modified Model 25 which was previously owned by a technical supervisor at Wadia and is the only one in the world, originally developed as a prototype replacement for a new 27 Model. It has upscale parts which would not be cost effective in a standard production model. All the boards were replaced with those from a W861 unit.

All Wadias have a very distinctive and powerful sound which is best characterized by deep full bass, accurate midrange and clean and clear highs.

I am sorry I have no experience with the Bryston sound. However, I would not hesitate to recommend and strongly encourage any Wadia DAC purchase. I have had the Model 25 for 10 years now and have no intention of replacing it. Both the 15 and 25 Models were introduced at the same time in the mid 90's.

If you decide on purchasing the 15, I would advise you to get the best AES/EBU digital cable you can afford. I have tried everything including ST optical, BNC, RCA and Toslink cables. In my experience with all these models over the years I have found that a balanced cable brings out everything of which Wadia is capable.

I hope this helps.

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - used Bryston or Wadia DAC - sailor 10:20:46 06/02/15 (9)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - wood1 17:53:36 06/05/15 (4)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - RGA 18:34:30 06/07/15 (2)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - House13 20:21:05 06/07/15 (1)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - RGA 20:48:38 06/07/15 (0)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - House13 07:50:34 06/06/15 (0)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - RGA 22:19:56 06/04/15 (2)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - House13 08:39:27 06/05/15 (1)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - RGA 18:07:54 06/07/15 (0)

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - House13 15:09:38 06/04/15 (0)

Follow Ups

RE: used Bryston or Wadia DAC - House13 15:09:38 06/04/15 (0)

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