Replace Dac in Wadia

evo 6 · 21st December 2008, 11:38 PM

Hello.
I wonder if it is possible to replace the BB pcm 1702 20 bit dac chip in my Wadia 860x with a BB pcm 1704 24 bit chip.
Can i just unsolder the 4 1702 and replace them with 4new 1704? and will the 1704 work with the rest of the components in my cd player or will i have to change something else?

jitter · 22nd December 2008, 12:28 PM

No.

I just put the datasheets of both next to eachother. The PCM1702 and the PCM1704 are not pin-for-pin compatible.

So, it's no "swap'n'play" upgrade.

The PCM1702 expects 20 bits on the DATA pin, the PCM 1704 24 bits. But the latter can be set to accept 20 bits, but what's the point of upgrading then?

serph1nia · 22nd December 2008, 01:37 PM

I'd say, keep the dac chips and upgrade something else.

irgendjemand · 25th December 2008, 06:19 PM

Hi EVO 6!

At least according to the following link, there is some proved way to upgrade your Wadia 860X CD-Player, so that it will work with 24/96:

http://www.aslgroup.com/dcs/upandover.htm

Actually there is much info on the web concerning the 860X; most reports describing it as a top & very advanced unit. In your case, I would very probably go for upgrading it.

Will Wadia upgrade it to the Wadia 861? Here is what Wadia says about the 861, comparing it to the 860: "Building on the technology of the Wadia 860, including the Teac CMK-3.2 mechanism, Digimaster 32x oversampling, and the classic Wadia machined chassis, the Wadia 861 also incorporates the enhanced Burr-Brown 1704 DACs and improved passive parts in sonically critical locations".

http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/dig...ages/6675.html

Might not be a simple task for a DIYer. Good luck anyhow.

IJ.

inertial · 26th December 2008, 03:51 PM

Hi guys,
I'm a newbie here and my question can appear stupid maybe but,
why do not try to improve the analogue output stage instead?

I know wadia, my friend have an old DAC 25. It sound so analogue!
So I have looking into the box and have seen that "ugly" ICs !

Why do not try a minimalistic passive I/V stage for example?
It is safe, cheap and reversible also IMO.
Excuse my OT

Cheers,
Paolo

evo 6 · 31st December 2008, 02:10 AM

Thanks for all the information. Maybe I will just send it to Wadia for an uppgrade to 861.

21st December 2008, 11:38 PM	#1
evo 6 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	Replace Dac in Wadia Hello. I wonder if it is possible to replace the BB pcm 1702 20 bit dac chip in my Wadia 860x with a BB pcm 1704 24 bit chip. Can i just unsolder the 4 1702 and replace them with 4new 1704? and will the 1704 work with the rest of the components in my cd player or will i have to change something else?

25th December 2008, 06:19 PM	#4
irgendjemand diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2007	Yes Hi EVO 6! At least according to the following link, there is some proved way to upgrade your Wadia 860X CD-Player, so that it will work with 24/96: http://www.aslgroup.com/dcs/upandover.htm Actually there is much info on the web concerning the 860X; most reports describing it as a top & very advanced unit. In your case, I would very probably go for upgrading it. Will Wadia upgrade it to the Wadia 861? Here is what Wadia says about the 861, comparing it to the 860: "Building on the technology of the Wadia 860, including the Teac CMK-3.2 mechanism, Digimaster 32x oversampling, and the classic Wadia machined chassis, the Wadia 861 also incorporates the enhanced Burr-Brown 1704 DACs and improved passive parts in sonically critical locations". http://www.audioasylum.com/audio/dig...ages/6675.html Might not be a simple task for a DIYer. Good luck anyhow. IJ.

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22nd December 2008, 12:28 PM	#2
jitter diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Eindhoven, The Netherlands	No. I just put the datasheets of both next to eachother. The PCM1702 and the PCM1704 are not pin-for-pin compatible. So, it's no "swap'n'play" upgrade. The PCM1702 expects 20 bits on the DATA pin, the PCM 1704 24 bits. But the latter can be set to accept 20 bits, but what's the point of upgrading then?

22nd December 2008, 01:37 PM	#3
serph1nia diyAudio Member Join Date: Feb 2008	I'd say, keep the dac chips and upgrade something else.

26th December 2008, 03:51 PM	#5
inertial diyAudio Member Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Italy	Hi guys, I'm a newbie here and my question can appear stupid maybe but, why do not try to improve the analogue output stage instead? I know wadia, my friend have an old DAC 25. It sound so analogue! So I have looking into the box and have seen that "ugly" ICs ! Why do not try a minimalistic passive I/V stage for example? It is safe, cheap and reversible also IMO. Excuse my OT Cheers, Paolo

31st December 2008, 02:10 AM	#6
evo 6 diyAudio Member Join Date: Dec 2008	Thanks for all the information. Maybe I will just send it to Wadia for an uppgrade to 861.

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