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<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12232" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/wadia-121-decoding-computer/attachment/1-85/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12232" title="1" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/1102.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="407" /></a>With a number of stratospherically priced DACs on the market, it’s exciting to see DACs priced between $1,000 and $1,500 offering so much performance.* Reminiscent of the horsepower wars of the 1960s, it seems that every time a new standard of DAC performance is reached the bar is raised even higher.* This time, Wadia—a company known for decades for its innovations in the realm of digital audio and, more recently, for its game-changing 170i iPod dock—delivers world-class sound at a very affordable price tag with its new 121 Decoding Computer.</strong></p>
<p>Much like phonostages, you can purchase an outboard DAC for a couple hundred dollars and it’s a great way to embrace computer audio.* Outboard DACs can also serve as an upgrade to a budget CD transport.* Jumping to the $500 level brings more musicality and the ability to play high-res files, but going to the next level (the aforementioned $1,000-to-$1,500 range) is very exciting and, in the opinion of this reviewer, where the game gets seriously intriguing.* Combining a computer source and a great $1,500 DAC with your choice of high-performance playback software (like Pure Music, Amarra or one of the other current favorites) puts you in close proximity to what would have cost $10,000 two years ago.</p>
<p>Having used Wadia gear as a personal reference for years, I was excited to hear the company’s new S7i digital player during a recent visit to Sumiko’s sound room in Berkeley, California. *Immersed in the sound of the $200,000-per-pair Sonus faber flagship speakers and*two*towers of REL G-1 subwoofers, driven by Pass Labs monoblocks, I felt in familiar territory. *Yet, when I commented on how great the S7i sounded, I was instantly corrected. *“That’s the new 121,” a Sumiko representative informed me.* So, in the context of a major six-figure system, the 121 playing 16-bit/44.1-kHz files via a computer sounded*damn*good.</p>
<p>Imagine an S7i with no disc drawer, shrunk down to Barbie-Dream-House size.* That’s the 121—in general.* It does use an external wall-wart supply, but that’s the only place Wadia really scrimped on the design.* I’m sure making a super-high-zoot external supply would wring more performance out of the 121, but then it would probably cost twice as much.* (Mod-crazed audiophiles take note: *Sumiko’s John Paul Lizars made it very clear to me that the series 1 Wadia products would not be receiving upgraded external power supplies.)</p>
<p>Expensive power supply or not, the 121 is a serious DAC—or, as Wadia calls it, a digital decoding computer—which quickly becomes apparent when perusing its front and back panels.* Rather than work with the same chipsets used in many other DACs, the 121 uses Wadia’s patented DigiMaster*circuitry to upsample the incoming digital data to a 32-bit, 1.40-MHz bitstream.* All inputs accommodate up to 24-bit/192-kHz data and the USB input is asynchronous.</p>
<p>Wadia also built a headphone amplifier into the 121, with a 1/4-inch jack on the front panel.* Running the gamut of headphones at my disposal from Grado, AKG, Sennheiser and Audeze proved enjoyable.* The 121 easily passes muster as a first-rate headphone amplifier.* It also makes a perfect system for playing music from portable devices when paired with Wadia’s 170i or 171i iPod dock.* The 121’s small footprint makes it an easy fit on a desktop next to your computer or on a nightstand for after hours listening.</p>
<p>But what really separates the 121 from the rest of the comparably priced herd is its 32-bit digital volume control, making this a true digital preamplifier, not just a DAC with an attenuator slapped on the end of the output stage. *Wadia includes a full-function remote to complete the package.</p>
<p>The 121 is a perfect example of the dividends reaped when a company building top-shelf products applies its expertise to something at this level.* “We incorporated as much functionality as we could into the 121,” notes Wadia CEO John Schaffer.* “We didn’t want to just put a few DAC chips on the board and slap a Wadia badge on the front.”</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12233" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/wadia-121-decoding-computer/attachment/2-83/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12233" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/295.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="373" /></a>Back at the Mothership</strong></p>
<p>It’s tough to argue with the performance heard at Sumiko, as the system was one of the best I’ve heard, but it’s always good to audition gear in familiar surroundings.* Plugged into my main reference system, comparing it directly to the Wadia 381i that I’ve owned for some time now, reveals the difference between the big box and the 121.</p>
<p>While it is unfair to compare the 121 to the $10K 381i, it’s fascinating to witness how much performance Wadia*has*been able to squeeze into this diminutive box, which is the exact same size as the 170i and 171i iPod docks.* When listening closely to the finger snaps in Giant Giant Sand’s “Ready or Not” (from the*Tucson*album) it is clear that the 381i delivers greater amounts of air and a longer-lasting decay, but the 121 handles the tonality amazingly well, while also presenting a big soundstage.* When listening casually to less-than-stellar program material, and not directly in the sweet spot, it’s easy to confuse the 121 for something much more expensive.</p>
<p>The 121 validates itself instantly when listening to how it delivers classical or acoustic music.* Spinning Itzhak Perlman’s*Live in the Fiddler’s House*instantly reveals this DAC’s ability to convincingly render the violin. *You can hear Perlman gently fingering the violin, with way more texture than you would expect at this price point and with ample air and decay.* It’s easy to forget what you are missing until switching to the 381i.* Yet, once switching back from the big-bucks DAC, the 121 continues to satisfy.* And this is in the context of a six-figure system, made up of all Audio Research reference components.</p>
<p>Placing the 121 in a system comprised of appropriately priced components—a PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium integrated amplifier and a pair of Vienna Acoustics Mozart speakers—is the right move.* High-resolution digital files via a MacBook Air and Amarra software meet or exceed the musicality delivered by a Rega RP3 turntable with Exact cartridge.</p>
<p>Blasting through a series of Blue Note XRCDs uncovers the same level of tonality:* Drums have the proper amount of attack and the standup bass is weighty as well as defined.* Wynton Kelly’s piano on Hank Mobley’s*Soul Station*floats in between the speakers, defined in it’s own space. *It’s not so much the jump between the $10K DAC and the 121 that’s tough to swallow; it’s going back to a budget DAC after listening to the 121 that proves there’s just no music in the inexpensive stuff—no life, no air, etc.</p>
<p><strong>Compare and Contrast</strong></p>
<p>The fairest comparisons for the 121 are the amazing Rega DAC for $995 and the Benchmark DAC1 USB at $1,195, especially given that the Benchmark can be used as a preamplifier.* It features a volume control (albeit an analog volume control, where the 121’s volume control operates in the digital domain) and headphone output.* All three DACs can handle 24-bit/192-kHz files.* Although neither DAC adds romance or sterility to the sound, the Rega has a slightly warmer, more romantic sound, while the Benchmark is straight-up—it’s a great “just the facts, ma’am” kind of DAC.</p>
<p>The 121 is closer to the Benchmark in tonality than the Rega, and each will appeal to a certain listener, but the Wadia’s edge is three-fold:* It has the widest dynamic range, more low-level-detail retrieval and more weight in the LF spectrum than the other two—again, very similar to my 381i.* Having lived with Wadia digital players for many years, I can tell you that the big, dynamic, weighty feel that Wadia DACs produce is easily recognizable—which is also the case with the 121.</p>
<p>In terms of connectivity, the TOSLINK input provided a slightly less-resolving presentation than the others, though it was still impressive and handy, should you have an older CD player that you would like to perk up.* A vintage Sony ES player, only having a TOSLINK output, showed a marked improvement via the digital output and the 121.* Comparing USB, SPDIF and the AES/EBU connections via 24/192 tracks, courtesy of the Aurender S10 server, revealed no anomalies between connections.* This plethora of inputs makes it easy to switch between a transport, music server and digital files on an iPod/iPhone via a Wadia dock—which makes the 121 perfect for the digital music lover with multiple sources.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12234" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/wadia-121-decoding-computer/attachment/3-71/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12234" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/384.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="577" /></a>All You Need</strong></p>
<p>As great as the 121 performs in DAC mode, it’s the perfect hub for your music system.* The DigiMaster volume control is effective and sonically transparent, all the way down to the lowest range.* If there was some degradation of the original signal, we weren’t hearing it when I assembled the troops for a listening session.</p>
<p>Thanks to TOSLINK, BNC, RCA, AES/EBU and an asynchronous USB input, there are no limitations to what the 121 can use as a source.* We achieved excellent results using a Mac mini and MacBook Air, both running the latest version of Amarra; Wadia’s own 171i dock with an iPhone 4S; and an old Pioneer CD player as a transport.* The only thing keeping the 121 from appealing universally is its lack of a single analog input, which Benchmark incorporated into its highest-end version of the DAC1 PRE. *Including a single analog input gives someone wanting to integrate analog into their system the option to use the 121 as a full-function preamplifier.* For now, the 121 performs this task perfectly in an all-digital system.</p>
<p>The 121 does have fully balanced analog outputs that handle long cable lengths admirably.* The 121 has no problem with a 20-foot length of AVID SCT cable running from the rack to a bevy of awaiting power amplifiers.* Even terminating the amplifier end of the cable, with a Cardas balanced-to-RCA adaptor ,was no problem.</p>
<p>We paired the 121 with at least a dozen amplifiers, including tube, solid-state and class-D, and they all work equally well in terms of frequency range and drive.* However, this tube-lover favors the 121 with a number of low-power vacuum-tube amplifiers when using it strictly as a preamplifier.* Personal bias admitted, a touch of tubeyness goes a long way with digital sources.</p>
<p>Paired with the 121, the updated Conrad-Johnson MV50 tube power amplifier and Dynaudio Confidence C1 II speakers make for a fantastic, all-digital system, with more than enough resolution to easily discern between Red Book and high-resolution digital files, and compare various Amarra settings.* The 121 was no slouch driving the mighty Burmester 911 power amplifier directly; though, at this level, I did prefer having an active preamplifier in the signal path.* The bottom line:* With the 121, we have a $1,295 DAC that can hang with some pretty expensive company.</p>
<p>This is why we’ve determined that the Wadia 121 is more than worthy of one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2012.* Whether seeking a high performance DAC or a fully functioning digital preamplifier to build your system around, your search is over. *<em>-Jeff Dorgay</em></p>
<p><strong>The Wadia 121</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $1,295</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wadia.com">www.wadia.com</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="5"><tr readability="2"><td>Speakers</td>
<td>GamuT S9 * *Magico S5 * *Dynaudio Confidence C1 II * *Vienna Acoustics Mozart SE</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Preamplifiers</td>
<td>ARC REF 5SE * *Burmester 011 * *Conrad Johnson PV-12C1</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Amplifiers</td>
<td>ARC REF 250 monoblocks * *Burmester 911 * *Conrad Johnson MV-50C1 * Pass Aleph 3</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Integrated Amplifiers</td>
<td>Primare I22 * * PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Digital Sources</td>
<td>MacBook Air (w/ Amarra) * * Sooloos Control 15 * * Aurender S10</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/wadia-121-decoding-computer/]
<p>Much like phonostages, you can purchase an outboard DAC for a couple hundred dollars and it’s a great way to embrace computer audio.* Outboard DACs can also serve as an upgrade to a budget CD transport.* Jumping to the $500 level brings more musicality and the ability to play high-res files, but going to the next level (the aforementioned $1,000-to-$1,500 range) is very exciting and, in the opinion of this reviewer, where the game gets seriously intriguing.* Combining a computer source and a great $1,500 DAC with your choice of high-performance playback software (like Pure Music, Amarra or one of the other current favorites) puts you in close proximity to what would have cost $10,000 two years ago.</p>
<p>Having used Wadia gear as a personal reference for years, I was excited to hear the company’s new S7i digital player during a recent visit to Sumiko’s sound room in Berkeley, California. *Immersed in the sound of the $200,000-per-pair Sonus faber flagship speakers and*two*towers of REL G-1 subwoofers, driven by Pass Labs monoblocks, I felt in familiar territory. *Yet, when I commented on how great the S7i sounded, I was instantly corrected. *“That’s the new 121,” a Sumiko representative informed me.* So, in the context of a major six-figure system, the 121 playing 16-bit/44.1-kHz files via a computer sounded*damn*good.</p>
<p>Imagine an S7i with no disc drawer, shrunk down to Barbie-Dream-House size.* That’s the 121—in general.* It does use an external wall-wart supply, but that’s the only place Wadia really scrimped on the design.* I’m sure making a super-high-zoot external supply would wring more performance out of the 121, but then it would probably cost twice as much.* (Mod-crazed audiophiles take note: *Sumiko’s John Paul Lizars made it very clear to me that the series 1 Wadia products would not be receiving upgraded external power supplies.)</p>
<p>Expensive power supply or not, the 121 is a serious DAC—or, as Wadia calls it, a digital decoding computer—which quickly becomes apparent when perusing its front and back panels.* Rather than work with the same chipsets used in many other DACs, the 121 uses Wadia’s patented DigiMaster*circuitry to upsample the incoming digital data to a 32-bit, 1.40-MHz bitstream.* All inputs accommodate up to 24-bit/192-kHz data and the USB input is asynchronous.</p>
<p>Wadia also built a headphone amplifier into the 121, with a 1/4-inch jack on the front panel.* Running the gamut of headphones at my disposal from Grado, AKG, Sennheiser and Audeze proved enjoyable.* The 121 easily passes muster as a first-rate headphone amplifier.* It also makes a perfect system for playing music from portable devices when paired with Wadia’s 170i or 171i iPod dock.* The 121’s small footprint makes it an easy fit on a desktop next to your computer or on a nightstand for after hours listening.</p>
<p>But what really separates the 121 from the rest of the comparably priced herd is its 32-bit digital volume control, making this a true digital preamplifier, not just a DAC with an attenuator slapped on the end of the output stage. *Wadia includes a full-function remote to complete the package.</p>
<p>The 121 is a perfect example of the dividends reaped when a company building top-shelf products applies its expertise to something at this level.* “We incorporated as much functionality as we could into the 121,” notes Wadia CEO John Schaffer.* “We didn’t want to just put a few DAC chips on the board and slap a Wadia badge on the front.”</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12233" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/wadia-121-decoding-computer/attachment/2-83/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12233" title="2" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/295.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="373" /></a>Back at the Mothership</strong></p>
<p>It’s tough to argue with the performance heard at Sumiko, as the system was one of the best I’ve heard, but it’s always good to audition gear in familiar surroundings.* Plugged into my main reference system, comparing it directly to the Wadia 381i that I’ve owned for some time now, reveals the difference between the big box and the 121.</p>
<p>While it is unfair to compare the 121 to the $10K 381i, it’s fascinating to witness how much performance Wadia*has*been able to squeeze into this diminutive box, which is the exact same size as the 170i and 171i iPod docks.* When listening closely to the finger snaps in Giant Giant Sand’s “Ready or Not” (from the*Tucson*album) it is clear that the 381i delivers greater amounts of air and a longer-lasting decay, but the 121 handles the tonality amazingly well, while also presenting a big soundstage.* When listening casually to less-than-stellar program material, and not directly in the sweet spot, it’s easy to confuse the 121 for something much more expensive.</p>
<p>The 121 validates itself instantly when listening to how it delivers classical or acoustic music.* Spinning Itzhak Perlman’s*Live in the Fiddler’s House*instantly reveals this DAC’s ability to convincingly render the violin. *You can hear Perlman gently fingering the violin, with way more texture than you would expect at this price point and with ample air and decay.* It’s easy to forget what you are missing until switching to the 381i.* Yet, once switching back from the big-bucks DAC, the 121 continues to satisfy.* And this is in the context of a six-figure system, made up of all Audio Research reference components.</p>
<p>Placing the 121 in a system comprised of appropriately priced components—a PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium integrated amplifier and a pair of Vienna Acoustics Mozart speakers—is the right move.* High-resolution digital files via a MacBook Air and Amarra software meet or exceed the musicality delivered by a Rega RP3 turntable with Exact cartridge.</p>
<p>Blasting through a series of Blue Note XRCDs uncovers the same level of tonality:* Drums have the proper amount of attack and the standup bass is weighty as well as defined.* Wynton Kelly’s piano on Hank Mobley’s*Soul Station*floats in between the speakers, defined in it’s own space. *It’s not so much the jump between the $10K DAC and the 121 that’s tough to swallow; it’s going back to a budget DAC after listening to the 121 that proves there’s just no music in the inexpensive stuff—no life, no air, etc.</p>
<p><strong>Compare and Contrast</strong></p>
<p>The fairest comparisons for the 121 are the amazing Rega DAC for $995 and the Benchmark DAC1 USB at $1,195, especially given that the Benchmark can be used as a preamplifier.* It features a volume control (albeit an analog volume control, where the 121’s volume control operates in the digital domain) and headphone output.* All three DACs can handle 24-bit/192-kHz files.* Although neither DAC adds romance or sterility to the sound, the Rega has a slightly warmer, more romantic sound, while the Benchmark is straight-up—it’s a great “just the facts, ma’am” kind of DAC.</p>
<p>The 121 is closer to the Benchmark in tonality than the Rega, and each will appeal to a certain listener, but the Wadia’s edge is three-fold:* It has the widest dynamic range, more low-level-detail retrieval and more weight in the LF spectrum than the other two—again, very similar to my 381i.* Having lived with Wadia digital players for many years, I can tell you that the big, dynamic, weighty feel that Wadia DACs produce is easily recognizable—which is also the case with the 121.</p>
<p>In terms of connectivity, the TOSLINK input provided a slightly less-resolving presentation than the others, though it was still impressive and handy, should you have an older CD player that you would like to perk up.* A vintage Sony ES player, only having a TOSLINK output, showed a marked improvement via the digital output and the 121.* Comparing USB, SPDIF and the AES/EBU connections via 24/192 tracks, courtesy of the Aurender S10 server, revealed no anomalies between connections.* This plethora of inputs makes it easy to switch between a transport, music server and digital files on an iPod/iPhone via a Wadia dock—which makes the 121 perfect for the digital music lover with multiple sources.</p>
<p><strong><a rel="attachment wp-att-12234" href="http://www.tonepublications.com/review/wadia-121-decoding-computer/attachment/3-71/"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-12234" title="3" src="http://www.tonepublications.com/media/384.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="577" /></a>All You Need</strong></p>
<p>As great as the 121 performs in DAC mode, it’s the perfect hub for your music system.* The DigiMaster volume control is effective and sonically transparent, all the way down to the lowest range.* If there was some degradation of the original signal, we weren’t hearing it when I assembled the troops for a listening session.</p>
<p>Thanks to TOSLINK, BNC, RCA, AES/EBU and an asynchronous USB input, there are no limitations to what the 121 can use as a source.* We achieved excellent results using a Mac mini and MacBook Air, both running the latest version of Amarra; Wadia’s own 171i dock with an iPhone 4S; and an old Pioneer CD player as a transport.* The only thing keeping the 121 from appealing universally is its lack of a single analog input, which Benchmark incorporated into its highest-end version of the DAC1 PRE. *Including a single analog input gives someone wanting to integrate analog into their system the option to use the 121 as a full-function preamplifier.* For now, the 121 performs this task perfectly in an all-digital system.</p>
<p>The 121 does have fully balanced analog outputs that handle long cable lengths admirably.* The 121 has no problem with a 20-foot length of AVID SCT cable running from the rack to a bevy of awaiting power amplifiers.* Even terminating the amplifier end of the cable, with a Cardas balanced-to-RCA adaptor ,was no problem.</p>
<p>We paired the 121 with at least a dozen amplifiers, including tube, solid-state and class-D, and they all work equally well in terms of frequency range and drive.* However, this tube-lover favors the 121 with a number of low-power vacuum-tube amplifiers when using it strictly as a preamplifier.* Personal bias admitted, a touch of tubeyness goes a long way with digital sources.</p>
<p>Paired with the 121, the updated Conrad-Johnson MV50 tube power amplifier and Dynaudio Confidence C1 II speakers make for a fantastic, all-digital system, with more than enough resolution to easily discern between Red Book and high-resolution digital files, and compare various Amarra settings.* The 121 was no slouch driving the mighty Burmester 911 power amplifier directly; though, at this level, I did prefer having an active preamplifier in the signal path.* The bottom line:* With the 121, we have a $1,295 DAC that can hang with some pretty expensive company.</p>
<p>This is why we’ve determined that the Wadia 121 is more than worthy of one of our Exceptional Value Awards for 2012.* Whether seeking a high performance DAC or a fully functioning digital preamplifier to build your system around, your search is over. *<em>-Jeff Dorgay</em></p>
<p><strong>The Wadia 121</strong></p>
<p>MSRP: $1,295</p>
<p><a href="http://www.wadia.com">www.wadia.com</a></p>
<p>Peripherals</p>
<table width="100%" align="left" class="easy-table easy-table-default "><tbody readability="5"><tr readability="2"><td>Speakers</td>
<td>GamuT S9 * *Magico S5 * *Dynaudio Confidence C1 II * *Vienna Acoustics Mozart SE</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Preamplifiers</td>
<td>ARC REF 5SE * *Burmester 011 * *Conrad Johnson PV-12C1</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Power Amplifiers</td>
<td>ARC REF 250 monoblocks * *Burmester 911 * *Conrad Johnson MV-50C1 * Pass Aleph 3</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Integrated Amplifiers</td>
<td>Primare I22 * * PrimaLuna ProLogue Premium</td>
</tr><tr readability="2"><td>Digital Sources</td>
<td>MacBook Air (w/ Amarra) * * Sooloos Control 15 * * Aurender S10</td>
</tr></tbody></table>
[Source: http://www.tonepublications.com/review/wadia-121-decoding-computer/]
