Wadia 861i Impressions?

[DaveF]

Anyone got much experience of the Wadia 861i player? I've acquired quite a lot of SACD hybrid discs over the last few years and would like a SACD capable player if a second hand one came up at the right price. Previously I compared the Wadia 301 with my own Opus21. At the time I thought that the Opus21 just shaded it overall but in some areas the 301 had the edge.
On one of the old forums I seem to remember that a few had said that the 861i knocked the Opus out of the park. Now I realise that jumping up to this level of player may only yield small gains.

[Diapason]

Does the 861 play SACDs? I thought they only introduced that capability with the 581?

In any case, I'm biased cos I have a 581SE, but for me it was quite different, and a good bit better than the Opus when I tested. Of course, your ears may vary!

[DaveF]

ah balls, no SACD? Well that rules that out then.

[Diapason]

Don't take my word for it, I may be entirely mistaken!

[DaveF]

no I think you're right. None of the specs mention SACD capability and its always listed as a CD player not a CD/SACD player. I've just noticed that Cloney have a second hand one for sale. Upon further research I see that the 861 is discontinued and the 781 or 581 replaces it and a whole other bunch of decoding computers etc etc?

[Diapason]

My 581SE was for sale for a while... :-)

[Fran]

What about something like an oppo player into the digital in of your opus?

Fran

[DaveF]

My 581SE was for sale for a while... :-)

I remember. But I went for a turntable in the end! ;-)

[DaveF]

What about something like an oppo player into the digital in of your opus?

Fran

Not sure if that would give me much improvement Fran. Only one way to find out I suppose. I already use the digital in of the Opus for watching DVD's and it does sound very good.

[Fran]

An awful lot of DVD players will decode SACD - maybe just try it and see?

And then I suppose you have to ask yourself - is the benefit worth it.


Fran