Quote Originally Posted by atomicAdam
Wadia Digital

Sorry, I didn't get the name of the bookshelf speakers being used, maybe someone can let us know.





I think Wadia might be onto something with this set up. I heard the 171i iPod transport with a 151 PowerDAC. Cost is somewhere around $600 (if I remember correctly) for both the 50Watt Integrated Power Amp/DAC and the iPod Transport. I'm sorry I don't know the speakers, I'm sure someone here does. Everyone in the room I was in was very pleased with the sound, and I have to say, for the cost and the size (i really love how dang small this set up is) it was very pleasing. Now, comparing it to some higher cost components, the sound was clear and bass was extended and the sound was very solid. It was present in the room and not airy or dispersed. The problem I had with it was it sounded too clean and there was little depth to the sound. For an analogy to help explain, it was like seeing a photo of the Grand Canyon, but if you've never been, you don't really get the feel for how amazing it is. Most of the folks in the room were talking about the system and were pleased, but they also agreed with my analogy. But, lets face it, for the iPod generation this maybe one more tool and an affordable price point that can get them into hi-fi.

The speaker, I think, they were pretty bling bling for bookshelfves if I remember correctly. They are great looking and had a pretty trick grill. The lack of depth in the mids made the music a bit too clinical for me, but the highs weren't piercing in the least and the lows were present and engaging.

I can say I was impressed with this set up, but it is something I'd never have in my house. Its sound is the complete antithesis to what I love about vinyl.
Wow, I hated the sound of this set up, and so did my buddy. Too much midrange, too clinical, too etchy, and just plain too cold for my taste. My mini-monitors are smaller than these speakers, and my buddy just kept commenting on how much better my speakers sounded compared to these. The crispness of these speakers might appeal to those who have lost the high end of their hearing, but I am not one of those people, and neither apparently is my buddy.