WADIA 121

Pre owned. In good condition. Shows some signs of wear. Includes remote control, accessory and original packaging.

Compact D/A converter belonging to the Series 1 range, a line that combines Wadia’s traditional approach with more recent solutions dedicated to digital audio. The design integrates a conversion section and comprehensive digital input management into a compact chassis, retaining the technical features developed by Wadia throughout its experience in the field.

The core of the digital processing is Wadia’s proprietary DigiMaster algorithm, developed for signal oversampling. The system reconstructs the waveform in the time domain through interpolation based on twelfth-degree polynomials, generating new samples between the original ones. With a 44.1 kHz signal, 31 new samples are generated for each original sample, increasing the sampling frequency to approximately 1.4 MHz. Processing is handled by an Altera Cyclone II processor capable of performing the calculations required by DigiMaster in real time.

D/A conversion is handled by the 32-bit Sabre ES9018S manufactured by ESS Technology, while digital signal management is entrusted to an XMOS US1219L interface for the asynchronous USB input and a Cirrus Logic CS8416 for the coaxial and optical inputs, with particular attention to jitter reduction.

The rear panel features an asynchronous USB input supporting up to 24-bit/192 kHz signals, along with RCA coaxial, BNC coaxial, Toslink optical and AES/EBU XLR digital inputs, also supporting signals up to 24-bit/192 kHz, including the 176.4 kHz sampling rate. RCA and XLR analogue outputs are also provided and can be used simultaneously. Power is supplied through a seven-pin connector connected to the external 12 V power supply.

The USB input operates without drivers on Mac OS X 10.6, while Windows systems require the installation of the appropriate driver, which is also supplied on a USB flash drive. The unit’s functions are controlled via the supplied remote control.

The metal chassis features a coarse-grain surface finish and follows the proportions and aesthetic approach of the other Series 1 components. The front panel maintains a clean design, with a black background and a series of small blue indicators. On the left are the power LED and the headphone output on a jack connector, while three rows of indicators on the right show signal level, sampling frequency, selected input and phase status.

The headphone section is one of the functions integrated into the 121 and is managed directly by the unit. The listening tests reported in the sources describe reproduction characterised by tonal naturalness, a high level of detail and a wide, well-focused soundstage. The cohesion of the different spectral components contributes to the reproduction of voices and acoustic instruments, while the soundstage stands out for its depth and precise positioning of individual elements.

The high-frequency range is described as having a slight attenuation at the upper end, without resulting in a closed sound. Harmonics remain present in significant quantities, although they appear slightly recessed. The headphone output also performs well, offering good dynamics and a high level of detail.

Technical specifications:

• Sampling frequency and resolution: 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.4 kHz, 192 kHz; 24 bit
• Digital inputs: AES/EBU (XLR), coaxial (RCA and BNC), Toslink Optical, USB B
• Analogue outputs: XLR, RCA
• D/A conversion: ESS Sabre ES9018S, 32 bit
• Oversampling: proprietary DigiMaster algorithm up to approximately 1.4 MHz
• Headphone output: 6.3 mm jack
• Power supply: external 12 V power supply
• Dimensions (W x H x D): 203 x 68 x 223 mm
• Weight: 2.5 kg