Stereophile
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<p><img class="story_image" src="http://www.stereophile.com/images/713wadia.promo_.jpg" /></p>
For the audiophile modernist, a DAC with volume control is the straightest path between the music server or network stream and your amp and speakers. If you've fully embraced networked audio, there's no need for fussy preamps with their analog inputs, analog volume controls, and [<i>gasp!</i>] phono stages. Find a digital source, a DAC with volume, and go.
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Several of the DACs I've recently reviewed include a high-performance volume control; three that spring to mind are the NAD M51 Direct Digital ($1999, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-m51-direct-digital-da-converter">July 2012</a>), MSB Diamond DAC Plus ($21,995, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/msb-technology-platinum-data-cd-iv-transport-amp-diamond-dac-iv-amp-da-converter">October 2012</a>), and Resolution Audio Cantata Music Center ($6495, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/resolution-audio-cantata-music-center-1">November 2011</a>). Each is an excellent-sounding DAC topped off with digital-domain attenuation. Other than the NAD, each also comes with a somewhat steep price tag.
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<b>Enter Wadia</b><br />At $1299, the Wadia 121decoding computer is more in line with M2Tech's Young DAC ($1499, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/m2tech-young-da-processor-amp-palmer-power-station-battery-power-supply">May 2013</a>), which I've also been listening to recently
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/wadia-121decoding-computer-da-processor]
For the audiophile modernist, a DAC with volume control is the straightest path between the music server or network stream and your amp and speakers. If you've fully embraced networked audio, there's no need for fussy preamps with their analog inputs, analog volume controls, and [<i>gasp!</i>] phono stages. Find a digital source, a DAC with volume, and go.
<p>
Several of the DACs I've recently reviewed include a high-performance volume control; three that spring to mind are the NAD M51 Direct Digital ($1999, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/nad-m51-direct-digital-da-converter">July 2012</a>), MSB Diamond DAC Plus ($21,995, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/msb-technology-platinum-data-cd-iv-transport-amp-diamond-dac-iv-amp-da-converter">October 2012</a>), and Resolution Audio Cantata Music Center ($6495, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/resolution-audio-cantata-music-center-1">November 2011</a>). Each is an excellent-sounding DAC topped off with digital-domain attenuation. Other than the NAD, each also comes with a somewhat steep price tag.
</p><p>
<b>Enter Wadia</b><br />At $1299, the Wadia 121decoding computer is more in line with M2Tech's Young DAC ($1499, <a href="http://www.stereophile.com/content/m2tech-young-da-processor-amp-palmer-power-station-battery-power-supply">May 2013</a>), which I've also been listening to recently
[Source: http://www.stereophile.com/content/wadia-121decoding-computer-da-processor]