Larger View (Open a new Window)

The upgrades focus on removing power supply noise from the unregulated and regulated DC supplies, improving bypassing and decoupling throughout the circuits, removing jitter from the local clock and eliminating jitter at the digital output.

We also highly recommend upgrading the switching power supply to a very high quality linear type. The TeddyDock  linear power supply based on the SuperTeddyReg discrete, ultra-low noise regulator. Unlike other linear power supplies based on LM78xx or LM317 varieties, the SuperTeddyReg is far superior at rejecting ripple noise and achieves a much lower output noise, output impedance. Adding the TeddyDock to the Wadia 171i is a major upgrade by itself, combined with the 171i modifications they form a tour de force for computer audio.

Wadia 171i Transport Upgrades

The 171i upgrades are available in 3 performance levels, levels 1, 2 & Signature. The sound quality improvements are scalable moving up from level-1 through to Signature.

The first level-1 upgrade kicks off with improvements to the DC power supplies. The stock unit uses standard LDO regulators from ROHM, the BD39350 (3.3V) and 05CC0 (5.0V). The ripple rejection of these regulators in a poor 58 db up to 500 Hz which is reduced on the frequency range to a very poor 25 db at approx. 22 KHz. The output noise level is not quoted but we can calculate from the ripple rejection that noise is in the region of 60µV and increasing with frequency in the audio band. We replace these regulators with “Super-regulators”, now in version 3 these discrete regulator’s have excellent rejection of noise at the input and delivers a wide bandwidth, clean, accurate DC output. Next we replace the stock Tantalum bypass capacitors with Speciality Polymer capacitors (S-CAP), this type of capacitor uses a uses a conductive polymer as its electrolyte and is superior to any Tantalum. The benefits are ultra low ESR, excellent transient response. Similarly, we upgrade the Tantalum capacitors with S-CAP which de-couple the PCM2706 chip, lowest noise here is crucial to execute the USB to SP/DIF conversion without losses. In addition to lowering the noise of the DC supply rails we add a Bybee Slipstream purifier to the unregulated DC supply line.

The level-2 upgrades the internal clock of the PCM2706 chip with a ultra-low jitter external clock, the Superclock 4. This removes jitter and noise at all digital processing and analogue levels of the PCM2706 enabling more accurate, error free processing. We add  a Bybee Slipstream purifier to the digital output to ensure the cleanest digital signal. To finish we further upgrade Tantalum decoupling with the S-CAP capacitors.

For the ultimate Ipod dock we have the Signature upgrade. This installs a reclocking board for the S/PDIF using the WM8804 eliminating jitter at the digital output. We then add RF absorbing techniques are employed in key locations to ensure the cleanest environment for digital playback.

Wadia 171i Level-1 Upgrade

■ Super-regulator 3 for +3.3V supply
■ Speciality Selected Low Noise Regulator for +5.0V supply
■ Polymer S-CAP capacitors for regulation bypass.
■ Polymer S-CAP capacitors for PCM2706 decoupling.
■ Polymer S-CAP decoupling capacitors.
■ Bybee Slipstream purifier for DC supply.

Wadia 171i Level-2 Upgrade

■ Super-regulator 3 for +3.3V supply
■ Speciality Selected Low Noise Regulator for +5.0V supply
■ Superclock 4 ultra-low jitter clock.
■ Polymer S-CAP capacitors for regulation bypass.
■ Polymer S-CAP capacitors for PCM2706 decoupling.
■ Polymer S-CAP decoupling capacitors.
■ Bybee Slipstream purifier for DC supply.
■ Bybee Slipstream purifier for digital output.

Wadia 171i Signature Upgrade

■ Super-regulator 3 for +3.3V supply
■ Speciality Selected Low Noise Regulator for +5.0V supply
■ Superclock 4 ultra-low jitter clock.
■ Polymer S-CAP capacitors for regulation bypass.
■ Polymer S-CAP capacitors for PCM2706 decoupling.
■ Polymer S-CAP decoupling capacitors.
■ Bybee Slipstream purifier for DC supply.
■ Bybee Slipstream purifier for power ground.
■ S/PDIF Re-clock board for digital out to eliminate Jitter.
■ RF absorbing techniques are employed in key locations.
■ WBT NextGen RCA phono.