Wadia Digital – Upgrades
Wadia issued many updates over the years and their model numbers can get quite confusing. To add to this, some players came as standard with digital inputs and outputs, and/or USB, and Wadia was not consistent with the naming of models that did or did not have digital inputs and outputs.
The 850 for example was always available without digital inputs and outputs and was known as the 850 standard. It was available either with inputs, outputs or with both. The 861 was initially only available as one model, complete with digital inputs and outputs. Wadia later decided to add a Basic model for the 861 with no digital inputs or outputs, calling it the 861 Basic.
The 581 was available as the 581 Basic (no digital inputs and outputs) and the 581i (with digital inputs and outputs). Adding to the confusion, the i would later also include USB for some models, from around 2011. The s7i was never available without the i, and as far as I know, the model has always offered digital inputs and outputs, in addition to USB.
While I tried to capture all of the available upgrades that were available over the years, the list might not be 100% complete.
1000 decoding computer upgrade
Details unknown (perhaps 1000 to 64.4)
2000T transport upgrade
Details unknown
850 digital inputs
1.542 euro
850 digital outputs
771 euro
6i
Updates to DSP, DA, PS and analog output section
2.813 euro
15i
Updates to DSP, DA, PS and analog output section
3.403 euro
16i
Updates to DSP, DA, PS and analog output section
3.403 euro
21i
Updates to DSP, DA, PS and analog output section
2.813 euro
i upgrade for 27
Adds Clocklink
2.042 euro
x upgrade for 860
Adds 24/96 capability
211 euro
x upgrade for 27i
Adds the latest generation software featuring increased memory and user selectable up-sampling algorithm’s processed in DSP
857 euro
1 upgrade for 860
Elevates performance and functionality to that of the Wadia 861 CD Player
1.656 euro
v upgrade
Adds v3.0 for 27ix
616 euro
p upgrade for 830
Adds a second power supply PCB to enhance the sonic performance of the main decoding circuit
p upgrade for 301
Adds a second power supply PCB to enhance the sonic performance of the main decoding circuit
u upgrade version 1 for 381i, 581i, 781i, 860x and 861
Adds USB input
581i and 781i players before 2011 did not have USB as standard
1390 euro
u upgrade version 2 for 521, 27ix and 931
Adds Clock-linked USB input
I’m not sure if this upgrade ever materialized
i upgrade for 381, 581, 781
Adds inputs/outputs and USB
581i and 781i players from 2011 already had USB in addition to regular digital inputs and outputs
2398 euro
SE for 270, 861, 861b, 850
Update to transport and software
Approximately 3500 euro
Series 2 upgrade for 921
Upgrades the power supply and output section and brings the 921 up to the latest 922 mono decoding computer spec
SE for 581
Brings 581 or 581i up to 581SE or 581iSE spec
i inputs/outputs for 581
781iSE
Brings 581iSE to 781i spec
Beste heer,
Graag zou ik de kosten willen weten om mijn Wadia 16 (reeds voorzien van een total recap) te laten upgraden naar een 16i
Met dank en vriendelijke groet,
Raymond Monsjou
Beste Raymond, HFA doet geen reparaties of upgrades. De info die ik beschikbaar heb aangaande deze upgrade staat hierboven: “16i Updates to DSP, DA, PS and analog output section – 3.403 euro”. De upgrade omhelst vermoedelijk replacement van 1 of meerdere boards en een EEPROM update. Bij mijn weten is deze upgrade echter niet meer beschikbaar, tenzij de huidige importeur (Savor Audio) nog iets heeft liggen. Aangezien Audiac onlangs failliet is gegaan en de boedel is geveild lijkt me die kans echter klein. U zou ook kunnen informeren bij Wadia USA (hoewel die ook van eigenaar zijn gewisseld) of wellicht de Duitse importeur.
Hi,
Is it still possible to get an upgrade for Wadia 27ix?
If yes, please let me know how to proceed. Thanks!
Best regards
Jo
It’s been some time since Wadia changed owners and the new owners likely don’t have any parts left of the classic components. Your best shot would be to contact distributors, starting with Audio Reference in Germany. Alternatively, you could try repair shops that do Wadia products. The same goes for firmware updates.
Hello,
Is it still possible to get an upgrade for Wadia 860x?
If I can buy you an upgrade kit for 860x, I think I can fix it in Korea where I live. Can I buy the part? Thanks.
I think these upgrades are long gone but your best bet is to check a few Wadia distributors and hope someone still has these old parts lying around. I think the chances of finding them second-hand are very slim. Note that the upgrade not only entails swapping a board, but you will also need to update an EEPROM or something of the sort, to make it work. It’s probably easier to try and find a second-hand 861.
Thank you for your reply. I have wadia 860. Isn’t it hard to upgrade wadia 860 to 861? I would greatly appreciate it if you could let me know where I can get the used parts I need to upgrade to wadia 861
I don’t think the upgrade parts are still available unless a dealer has old stock. Best thing I can advise is to check with international distributors but chances really are slim, I’m afraid. I’ve never seen these parts come up in the used market. The upgrade should be relatively simple but will also requires flashing an EPROM or equivalent programmable chip which is not something most people have the equipment for or know how to do.
I wonder if it is possible to source the upgrade for a 301 for Digital Output so I can use it as a Transport and add a Chord Qutest dac
I’m afraid it will prove near impossible to find the upgrade parts. I don’t have the sales numbers on it but since I don’t know anyone who has a 301 and never see it anywhere, I have a feeling that the 301 was rarely sold, let alone the upgrade parts for it. Checking my price lists, I do not see the 301 digital output option. To be honest, I was not aware that the player was also sold without a digital output. In any case, you’re probably better off sourcing another player to use as a transport.
Hello, I use Wadia 860 cdp. Is there a way to setup a Wadia 860 so that the volume is set to 100 when it powers up? I am using a preamp so I would like the Wadia to be at 100. I only. The wadia 860 always turns the volume to zero at its initial value when it is powered off and on. I want to know how this initial value is 100 even if I turn it off and on again.
Alas, his is not possible. Wadia indicated that they do this to protect the speakers (in case of direct power amp connections)