Wadia 121, Manual

Page 1: ...121DecodingComputer manual ...

Page 2: ...ecoding Computer will bring you many years of musical pleasure and satisfaction We understand how eager every new owner is to begin listening but we want you to become familiar with the full capabilities of the Wadia 121Decoding Computer Before powering on the device we encourage you to read this manual and pay special attention to the sections highlighted with an ...

Page 3: ...essories 8 Installing Battery in Remote Control 8 Connecting to AC Power 9 Using Surge Protectors 9 Output Connections 10 Back Panel 10 Input Connections 12 Connecting through USB 13 Using the Remote Control 15 Front Panel 16 Headphone Output 18 Optimizing the Output Level 19 Frequently Asked Questions 21 Troubleshooting 23 Warranty 25 Specifications 26 ...

Page 4: ...n compared with the technology available in other areas of digital design In response they founded Wadia Digital a company based on the philosophy of applying advanced technology to improve the performance of digital audio components Wadia s first product the Wadia 2000 Decoding Computer was an absolute breakthrough in digital audio For many discerning listeners it proved that Digital Audio was a ...

Page 5: ...to apply glass fiber optics to home audio First to recognize jitter as a source of audible distortion First to perfect digital volume control First high end CD player competitive with expensive separates First company to provide bit perfect digital audio output from the iPod While Wadia s digital expertise and track record exceed those of any audio company technology alone does not guarantee an im...

Page 6: ...d these instructions Keep these instructions Heed all warnings Follow all instructions Do not use this apparatus near water Clean only with dry cloth Do not block any ventilation openings Install in accordance with the manufacturer s instructions Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators heat registers stoves or other apparatus including amplifiers that produce heat 5 ...

Page 7: ...rotect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs convenience receptacles and the point where they exit from the apparatus Only use attachments accessories specified by the manufacturer Unplug this apparatus during lightning storms or when unused for long periods of time Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel Servicing is required when the apparatus has been d...

Page 8: ...BNC Toslink Optical USB B Analog Outputs one pair balanced XLR one pair unbalanced RCA Analog reference output level is fully adjustable via IR commands to properly match with system sensitivity Single ended and balanced analog outputs can be used simultaneously Wadia SwiftCurrent current to voltage output stage creates a Class A output Headphone output stage utilizes SwiftCurrent technology and d...

Page 9: ... easily and safely shipped if the need arises Do not tip the unit onto the back panel This can damage input and or output connectors Accessories Provided with the Wadia 121Decoding Computer are the following accessories Power Cord Power Adaptor USB Thumb Drive Remote Control Installing Battery in Remote Control The Wadia 121Decoding Computer remote control will ship with the required battery prein...

Page 10: ...e obtained when your Wadia component is plugged directly into the wall with the power cord provided Your Wadia product has an overall protection scheme designed to meet all safety requirements Using AC Line Conditioners and Surge Protectors External surge protectors power conditioners or aftermarket power cords can be a mixed bag of benefits and limitations particularly those which limit current a...

Page 11: ...Power Amplifier or Powered Speakers We strongly recommend that you use your Wadia 121Decoding Computer connected directly to your power amplifier Even if you purchased your Wadia 121Decoding Computer with the intention of connecting it to your preamplifier we suggest that you try direct connection to your amplifier Many listeners are surprised by the improvement in performance over even the most e...

Page 12: ...Mute mode see Mute Modes page 17 To connect your Wadia 121Decoding Computer to a power amplifier or powered speakers ensure that your power amplifier is turned off then connect your analog interconnects either balanced XLR 1 or unbalanced RCA 2 from the Wadia 121Decoding Computer analog outputs to the amplifier s inputs Using the Wadia 121Decoding Computer with a Preamplifier While the Wadia 121De...

Page 13: ...ecoding Computer circuitry to lock up see TroubleShooting Lock up page 23 Inputs and outputs can be safely connected to the Wadia 121Decoding Computer 1 Before the unit is powered up 2 When the unit is in Mute Mode see Mute Modes page 17 The Wadia 121Decoding Computer has five digital inputs AES EBU with XLR type connector Coax 1 RCA Coax 2 BNC Plastic Optical TOSLINK USB 2 0 To connect a digital ...

Page 14: ... driver The set up program and driver is on the Wadia thumb drive included with your 121Decoding Computer see accessories The set up program and driver is also available on the Wadia web site www wadia com products 121 Please read all of the instructions and the information on the Wadia 121Decoding Computer driver installation web page before installing drivers that match your specific computer op...

Page 15: ...cables especially USB are required to support higher data rates 176 4kHz or 192kHz data rates can be transmitted via Coaxial and AES EBU balanced digital cables but one must choose cables that will transfer higher data rates without signal loss Toslink connections are not rated for data files exceeding 96kHz Again we highly recommend that you take advantage of your dealer s experience and most imp...

Page 16: ... the Input button is pressed the next input is selected For example if the AES EBU input is currently selected pressing the Input key on the remote control will advance to Coaxial 1 and so on After the USB input the list will begin again with the AES EBU input When the Input button is pressed the display will change to the next input LED The front panel displays information about the input current...

Page 17: ... is 60dB and is divided into 120 0 5dB steps Those steps are represented by the 6 LEDs on the front panel Whenever the Volume Up or Volume Down buttons on the remote control are pressed the volume on both channels will be increased or decreased by an increment of 0 5dB Not every volume control press will result in a corresponding change in the LED display 16 1 5 4 6 2 3 ...

Page 18: ... balance the volume LED display on the front panel will indicate the current balance setting When the upper three LEDs are illuminated the balance is set to the right When only the lower three LEDs are illuminated the balance is set to the left The system is balanced when both of the center LEDs are illuminated Mute The Wadia 121Decoding Computer has a mute setting that electronically reduces the ...

Page 19: ...ne headphone output may be used at any one time The Wadia remote control volume buttons control headphone volume Wadia provides 2 selectable sensitivity adjustments to best match the system with a wide variety of headphones To optimize headphone output sensitivity use the following sequence of commands 1 Press the four step command PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAY The USB LED will begin to flash indicating the...

Page 20: ...ncorrect output for your headphones could lead to damage to the Headphones Optimizing the Output Level Best performance is obtained when operating the Wadia 121Decoding Computer Volume Control near the top of its range If needed the maximum output level of your Wadia 121Decoding Computer can be adjusted to match the overall 4v Maximum output setting approx 12dBV 2v Factory default setting approx 6...

Page 21: ... level during critical listening is below the 3rd LED on the LED display it will be advantageous to use a different setting To change the output level use the following remote control sequence 1 Press the four step command PLAY PLAY PLAY PLAY The current output level is displayed on the top three Volume LEDs The three LEDs correspond to 4 0v 2 0v and1 0v 2 Press PLAY to move the output level to a ...

Page 22: ... using the unbalanced outputs In addition the Wadia 121Decoding Computer output stage is capable of driving both types of outputs simultaneously Why should I bypass the Preamplifier A preamplifier is unnecessary when using your Wadia 121Decoding Computer The Wadia 121Decoding Computer provides all the necessary control functions of a preamp while the signal is still in the digital domain This avoi...

Page 23: ...l filtering algorithm produces a 32 bit output This high resolution signal is then used in the computations that in turn reduce the volume level This new signal is fed directly to the DAC chips Through this innovative method the Wadia 121Decoding Computer maintains high resolution even at the lowest volume control settings Can I bypass the Wadia Volume Control Because the Digital Volume control do...

Page 24: ...p A new unit will undergo more dramatic changes when power is applied for the first time If you turn off your Wadia 121Decoding Computer for more than an hour you will find that the unit will undergo a similar but less dramatic improvement once power is reapplied Appendice Troubleshooting Lock up If the Wadia 121Decoding Computer experiences a powerful static shock or sudden AC surge it is possibl...

Page 25: ... use the Licensed Software only on this Wadia 121Decoding Computer At Wadia s sole discretion Wadia may provide customer with updates of the Licensed Software Wadia retains the right to provide the Licensed Software updates for a fee The customer may refuse to accept such Licensed Software updates Environmental Care Wadia makes every effort to be an environmentally conservative company We apprecia...

Page 26: ...ble product at no cost to the owner for labor materials and shipping charges from Wadia 5 Wadia shall not under any circumstances be liable for any incidental or consequential damages arising from the loss of property or other damage or losses due to the failure of a Wadia 121Decoding Computer Wadia will not pay for loss of use or inconvenience caused by the failure of a Wadia 121Decoding Computer...

Page 27: ...Data Rates 44 1kHz 48kHz 88 2kHz 96kHz 176 4kHz 192kHz up to 24 bits Analog Outputs One Pair Balanced XLR One Pair Unbalanced RCA Both outputs simultaneously active Headphone Outputs One 1 4 output One 3 5 mm mini jack output Only one output active at a time Headphone Sensitivity Adjustable 16 600 Ohms Dimensions 2 7 x 8 x 8 in 6 68 x 20 32 x 20 32 cm Weight 2 5 lbs 1 13 kg Finish Black Powder Coa...