Wadia 151 PowerDAC Mini Digital Integrated Amplifier - Black

The Wadia 151 Power DAC is a 25 watt per channel integrated amplifier with a DAC. I am using it in conjunction with a Wadia 170i transport and a pair of high quality Opera speakers, in a desktop configuration--supposedly the set up for which this amplifier is optimized. I found the sound quality to be unremarkable. Mind you, it does not sound bad by any stretch of the imagination, but I found nothing particularly spectacular about the bass response, midrange clarity, or high frequency output of this amplifier,given its price. It has what I consider to be two design flaws.(1) The power switch is located on the rear of the unit, right above the power cord input. If you run this unit with a 170i stacked on top, as I assume most will, you will find it to be awkward to turn the amp on an off. It's difficult to comprehend why the amp cannot be powered on an off by remote, given that the remote has no less than 16 buttons on it, one of which is labeled "mode" and described in the manual as "Not active"! How about activating it and calling it "power"???(2) The amplifier only accepts digital coax, TOSLINK optical, and USB B inputs. It strikes me as unlikely that many users will run multiple sources into this amp that are all digital. Given the preponderance of audio devices with RCA phono outs, you have to wonder why this unit was designed with four digital inputs, but no analog inputs. If all you want to do is plug your 170i into it, this is no big deal. However, if you want this to be the centerpiece of a larger audio system, realize that it will only accept digital sources. Finally, Wadia has a reputation for making excellent, perhaps the best, digital audio equipment from their facilities in Wisconsin and now Michigan. Be advised that this unit is "assembled in China." It is still well-built, but not on par with Wadia's legendary digital audio devices. In fairness, though, this unit is also priced at about 10% of the cost of those units. Also note that there are comparable integrated amps with DACs on the market by Cambridge, Peachtree Audio, and Teac. The Teac unit is almost identical to the Wadia in size and appearance, with a retail price tag of $500 compared to $800 for the Waida. I have not had a chance to listen to the Teac, but it would be worth at least investigating before making a purchase decision.

I used the Wadia with a pair of high quality D.I.Y. 2 way monitors and Goertz flatwire. I used a dell laptop through USB and a cheap but new model Sony BD player as a source.The sound can be very light, as in not full bodied, or shallow. The wattage output of 15wpc is not the only issue in the weak sound. Right now I am using a Topping 14wpc amp and an OPPO 103 as a source, and the sound is sufficiently full bodied. Considering my experience with the output of the Wadia, I would only recommend it for desktop nearfield (<4FT) listening with small coaxial or 2 way speakers.On the plus side the sound quality through the Wadia 151 is transparent, mostly free of grain and very natural. The left to right soundstaging is also good, but the amp stops short of being very 3d or holographic in terms of sound staging depth. I had the best luck with the USB input which worked flawlessly and was plug and play. Through the USB sound was more full bodied than through the BD player, but male vocals still didn't sound quite deep enough. When watching Captain America through the optical or coax connection the more layered parts in the soundtrack got a bit stuffy, same was true with music, instruments and vocals lost detail with difficult material. While watching the T.V. show Continuum, the Wadia sometimes lacked such body that female vocals sounded like they could have been from the T.V. speakers.If the Wadia is used with the right speakers in the right environment the sound is very good and sounds how you would expect a sub 1300$ amp to sound. At the asking price its a very good value when used in this way. But as the main system in a 200sq ft room, I had no luck.

This is exactly what in was looking for at a price I could afford. I bought and returned some other equipment you'll see listed as alterntives, they were really just not the whole package.What's it like? After a somewhat extended break in (60 hours?), I find a very nice soundstage, great clarity, surprisingly solid bass, and at any reasonable listening level plenty of depth and control. I haven't tried the USB input, maybe someday.Premium construction /build quality. Very compact.If you don't need analog input, and you aren't trying to fill a huge room with inefficient speakers, this is worth a listen...

lots of clipping when you turn it loud, sound quality is just OK. i have heard better for cheaper but not a bad product. built in dac and small footprint is nice but i was expecting something more from wadia with this unit especially for how much the msrp was. my rotel,parasound and arcam products kill this unit easily.

I bought the Wadia 151PowerDAC mini 3 years ago and have never looked back. I have it streaming Tidal (HiFi) (via Toslink) or connected to my older iPod playing high-resolution files. They are driving 1990's vintage Klipshhorns. Plenty of very true sound and enough pure power for efficient speakers. Can't ask for any more.

Works perfectly. Beautiful compact design, optically equal to the expensive Wadia high-end players. Ideal for a second setup. Do not expect high-end quallity, but the Wadia 151 sounds better than most similar products in this price range.

Im really love this wadia 151. its awsome. Now i try many bookshelf speakers as Vienna acoustics haydn grand, dynaudio x12...

SMALL BUT BIG IN SOUND!