Upgrade Conundrum..Pairing Wadia+Classe

[dhyantyke]

I am looking at changing my Lavardin IT amp for a pair of ClasseCam 400 monoblocs, to drive 802Di speakers. My current cdp is Wadia 861.
While the makers reccommend that the cdp be used at or near the max volume setting, that would just about blow out the windows. Some recordings need to be played at single figure volume settings rather than the max level of 100 on the Wadia.
Anybody been down this road?
It seems there are two options: an internal adjustment to the player'
Or the introduction of a preamp.
Any experience/wisdom on this?

[DaveF]

I've had a similar Wadia before and I do think it sounds best when playing up near the top of its volume range. I was using a preamp and I thought that the combo of the Wadia-preamp-poweramp was a bit better than the Wadia direct into the poweramp.
I think you can internally modify the Wadia alright but I reckon that volume control is probably best handled by a separate preamp unit.

[dhyantyke]

I've had a similar Wadia before and I do think it sounds best when playing up near the top of its volume range. I was using a preamp and I thought that the combo of the Wadia-preamp-poweramp was a bit better than the Wadia direct into the poweramp.
I think you can internally modify the Wadia alright but I reckon that volume control is probably best handled by a separate preamp unit.

That's interesting to hear. I was worried that I might lose something of the Wadia sound by going through a preamp, but it seems your experience is otherwise.
Can you say what pre(s) you used or experimented with?

[DaveF]

I've had a similar Wadia before and I do think it sounds best when playing up near the top of its volume range. I was using a preamp and I thought that the combo of the Wadia-preamp-poweramp was a bit better than the Wadia direct into the poweramp.
I think you can internally modify the Wadia alright but I reckon that volume control is probably best handled by a separate preamp unit.

That's interesting to hear. I was worried that I might lose something of the Wadia sound by going through a preamp, but it seems your experience is otherwise.
Can you say what pre(s) you used or experimented with?

I was using the Music First Audio Silver preamp. Its quite a neutral and transparent preamp. The Kharma preamp that's in Cloney's is a very transparent preamp too but it is expensive.

[dhyantyke]

Thanks

[dhyantyke]

Anybody experienced the Classe cp500 pre?

[Diapason]

I think the Wadia adjustment to bring it into a sensible volume range is reasonably trivial, and I also think that the gain on the power amps isn't as much as you might think, so it may not blow the lights out at all. I once heard CAM350s driving 802's from a cd player without volume control and no pre. Sure it was loud, but nothing like I was expecting, and it was quite listenable.

Actually I loved the CAM/802 combo. The 400s with the D would be superb I'd say.

[DaveF]

The CAMs would be the natural partner for the 802s alright. What are you driving them with now?

Mods, shouldnt this thread be in the General area?

[dhyantyke]

The CAMs would be the natural partner for the 802s alright. What are you driving them with now?

Mods, shouldnt this thread be in the General area?

First of all. a disclaimer: I have no technical understanding of HIFI and little experience.!!

My starting point, just over 2 years ago, (having auditioned a bunch of set ups at Cloneys and ending up spending double my intended budget!) is:
Wadia 861, Lavardin IT, 802 Diamonds.
I was happy enough initially but became more and more dissatisfied with the bass sound.
I listen at pretty low volumes (preference, sensitive ears, and room size) and found bass got very 'muddy' and indistinct particularly in certain frequencies, and increasing volume led to boom in those frequencies. I could hear bass clearly when standing up but hardly at all when sitting. I eventually ended up with the speakers towards the middle of the room which sorted the standing up/sitting down issue, but not the muddiness.
Eventually, I figured perhaps the Lavardin didn't have enough power to deliver/grip/ control the bass into the 802Di's.
So I am currenly auditioning the Cam400's from Cloneys.
I have also, at the same time, moved the speakers back within 3ft of the wall and spiked them.
And changed speaker cables to Nordost spm reference from MusicWave Transparent AudioLabs
and using Blue heaven power cords.
The bass seems a definite improvement with more definition and separation of sounds in the lower registers.
Obviously, I have changed a few variables at once and need to pick through it, but my sense is the Cams are the way to go.
Regarding the volume issue, I played a pretty tame but tight piece (July Flame by Laura Veirs) last night and comfortable listening level on the Wadia was at 08, whereas Wadia reccommend the player be used Over 75 and as close to 100 on the player volume as possible. So I don't think that is a runner.
To complicate things a bit more, I decided to also audition the Meridian 808.3 : this decision was driven mostly by the fear that the Wadia/Classe/802di's would be a bit too 'bright' for my taste and the Meridian would possibly be kinder on the ear. (This thinking was 99% driven by impressions gained through previous reviews of these players on the forum)
My impression to date however is that I prefer the WADIA sound, even at the low player volume.
My impression initially was that the Meridian was a more relaxed listening experience, but as I listened to a wider range of music, particularly some choral pieces (TE Deum, Part) I felt the Wadia delivered a more clear and differentiated sound.
The danger is that I am heading into HIFI purgatory I suppose. I am keen to try the Wadia at the reccommended player volume level, and I think this means the preamp route.
I spoke with Ivan in Cloneys about the internal adjustment of the Wadia: his view is that it can be done but at quite a significant loss of 'headroom' on the player...basically doesn't reccommend it.
Sorry if this is a long answer to a short question, and waffly...see disclaimer above

[dhyantyke]

And, yes, i'm sure this should be in the 'General' area, not sure how I got here.