This review is for the 'upgraded by Wadia' 301.
Strengths:
The transport, from Pioneer is excellent;
The bass are the best I heard from a CD-Player (ex-aequo with Krell SACD);
Variable output level;
Weaknesses:
The medium-highs are weird, un-natural. They are difficult to describe. They are not very detailed, not 'agressive' per se, but fatiguing and 'artificial',

Great balance between resolving the music and ease of listening. PRAT

The display is not reader friendly, but no big deal to me.

Just a fantastic CDP that fit perfectly in my system. Very natural resolution, without any harshness. The 301 has a great sense of rhythm and pace that just feels natural to the senses. Expensive? Yes, but this player really got me enjoying my redbooks ceedee's. Built like a tank, with a transport that is solid and dependable. The newer 302 has a transport that belongs on a computer (like the Classe cdp10), that might be good, but for me it just didn't have that confident feel to it.

Similar Products Used:

Classe cdp 10 MF trivista Rotel

Transparent, detailed, great soundstaging, natural timbres, musically involving. Just an all around terrific player. Metal remote well made and excellent layout. Ability to run direct.

Display of tracks a little small, but not a big problem.

Awesome CDP that is truly special in my system (Proac/Pass Labs). World class sound. It is extremely high resolution - I have heard things on CD's I have never noticed before on other well regarded players. It is very natural sounding and never dull. Some audiophile players are too laid back and trying to hard to sound analogue-like. This player just makes great music - vibrant, clear, exciting, but never harsh or atificial sounding. Expensive, but well worth it, even at retail. I have also heard the new Wadia 302 in a system similar to my own, and it sounds strikingly similar to the 301. The display on the new model is a bit larger, but the new Philips transport looks and feeld way too cheap. The Stable platter of the 301 seems much better made.

Similar Products Used:

Meridian 508.24, ARC CD-2, Sonic Frontiers SFCD-1, Wadia 23

Built like a tank, upgradeable, (But can't imagine it!)and analog characteristics from a reliable company. Their products are expensive, but worth it!

None.

The most incredible player I've heard to date! Digital done right! 3D, sweet yet detailed, incredibly dynamic/lifelike! I feel lucky to have gotten this at a closeout price! If you're considering one, jump on it! Nobody does digital like Wadia!

Similar Products Used:

Audio Research CD-2, Rotel 991 AE Etc.

Extraordinary resolution of detail

Works best when driving the power amp direct - good if you have only one source, but hard to integrate into multisource systems without losing the advantages of direct driving the amp

This is a superb CD player - but then I would say that, I bought it. I have auditioned many many CD players in the last 2 years, most underwhelming. The Wadia was very good indeed when placed in my original system, which included a less than powerful tubed integrated. When I traded that in for a BAT VK250 and drove it direct from the Wadia, the result was astounding. Vivid palpable midrange, sweet highs, deep controlled bass, rhythm and tonal accuracy in spades. And the detail! - just brilliant. Never knew there was so much on my CDs. It isnt cheap, but then quality rarely is.

Similar Products Used:

Simaudio Moon Nova, MF Trivista (player and DAC) Naim CDSII