Meridian Unplugged - Powered by MrTechGuy.co.uk Forums Discussion Meridian - Systems Wadia ipod Dock

I use my iMac, with an AirPort Express... iMac located in study, wireless to G68 and DSPs. Controlled all via iPhone and 'Remote' app. Works seamlessly. The only complaint I have, is that the DSPs are so good, that it shows up all the imperfections with the rips I have made - .MP3 (yes, yes, shudder)

If you have a wireless router, I would hope you are still fine. My timecapsules are set up for wireless, but my iMac has airport turned off. The wireless router handles my second wireless appleTV, while the connection from my iMac to the router is wired. I would think that your iPhone could do the same - wireless to your router, then ethernet to your iMac.

The dock made sense for me in our bedroom system because I can go to sleep w/o having to go downstairs and turn off the computer. Makes for a self-contained, compact and musically packed digital transport w/a 160gig iPod using Apple lossless.

Only flaky thing I've found is that I have to reset the iPod before redocking if I've used it out and about as a portable player.

I have SBs and an AE in other parts of the house as digital feeds -- I'll compare one of these days and see if I hear any difference. Am doubtful I will.

FWIW. I do not use a Wadia with my Meridian set up. I did, however, pick one up for my girlfriend who has a modest two-channel system with Rotel and B&W 600 series speakers. Since she has a two-channel receiver I had to get an external DAC as well. So the combination is the Wadia with a Musical Fidelity A-DAC. I was shocked at how good it sounds.

The only drawback I can see is that there is no way to access the iPod menus remotely. All you can do with the remote is jump forward or backward one track, play or pause. You have to get up and go to the iPod for all other operations.

As far as I know the Wadia is the only docking station on the market that bypasses the iPod's crappy DACs.

It really sounds terrific but perhaps it goes without saying that you should make sure that you do the connections with quality cable.

The issue I have with the Wadia solution is that by the time you have bought the thing, then added a DAC (for most people), you've spent multiples of the cost of the iPod itself. You'd also have spent at least twice the price of a Squeezebox 3 plus a wireless router. What's the point, or am I missing something here?

Cheers

George

Why not just get a Sqeezebox? For some people it is easier to keep using the iPod since they already have music ripped in itunes. Squeezebox is an entirely different endeavor. It's a relatively cheap and simple way to have a music server on one's system without a lot of fiddling. You just plug in a few cables and you are good to go. Again, for me the biggest drawback is that you do not have full remote control over the iPod and you can't see the album art/information without going up to the iPod.

Regarding the comment that the Wadia didn't sound very good, it seems to me that would be an issue with the cables and the external DAC that is connected. AFAIK the Wadia is not doing anything. It's value added is in bypassing the iPod's DACs. I know someone who got one and hooked it up to his Linn system. He was dissapointed too until he swapped out the cable for a better one and now he is very pleased with it.

There's the thing...since the Squeezecentre software reads directly from the iTunes library, and utilises all the existing playlists, why bother with the Wadia?

Still perplexed!

George

Well maybe a lot of people don't want to fiddle with extended LANs, routers, etc. Probably the participants in this forum would not find any of that a problem but there really are a lot of people out there that don't mess with computer stuff more than is required.

The advantage of using the iPod is that your friends can bring theirs around and play music through your system. It is a lot easier than carting CDs around.

"There's the thing...since the Squeezecentre software reads directly from the iTunes library, and utilises all the existing playlists, why bother with the Wadia?"

I don't think it's an "or" purchase. I have two server options, but I also own three iPods. I wouldn't mind having the option of the Wadia for whenever I wanted to use it. Agree though that I wouldn't use it instead of the server options.

I moved info about buying Wadia to Restaurant

http://meridianunplugged.com/ubbthreads/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=88539#Post88539

Because it's just a fun little gizmo to have!

Not much more than that. I don't use mine much but it's fun to have when
I feel like using it and it always impresses my daughters friends when they
plug their iPods into my system and see how good they can sound...

I've used mine with modest DAC's, but also with a Meridian 808.2i, the Wadia 781i SE
and the Burmester 016 with excellent results.