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Wadia 170iTransport iPod transport with S/PDIF digital audio output |  | Brand: Wadia
Category: CE
List Price: $379.95
Buy New: $379.00
as of 8/1/2010 01:43 EDT details
You Save: $0.95
New (3) Used (1) from $329.00
Seller: HIDEF Lifestyle
Rating:  7 reviews
Shipping Weight (lbs): 5
Dimensions (in): 10 x 13 x 3
MPN: 170iTransport Silver
Model: 170i
UPC: 089752900202
EAN: 0089752900202
ASIN: B001KOMM7Y
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
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| Features:
| • | Compatible with all docking iPods, including the 120GB iPod classic, curved screen iPod nano, and second generation iPod touch | | • | Bypasses iPod's built-in digital-to-analog converter (DAC) -- use your receiver's built-in DAC or an outboard DAC for better sound | | • | Coaxial digital output (cable included) | | • | S-video and component video output | | • | Powder-coated cast aluminum chassis |
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
The 170iTransport from Wadia is the first ever component specifically designed to transform your iPod into a high-resolution audio/video media server. The 170iTransport combines the convenience of personal audio with the performance and connectivity of your home audio/video system, delivering a bit-perfect digital audio signal via S/PDIF coaxial (RCA) output and DVD quality video via component outputs, all built on a sleek silver aluminum chassis.
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| Customer Reviews:
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
Best iPod Sound Yet! May 2, 2010
David C. Kraus
Many audiophiles have avoided hooking an iPod to their upscale systems because the sound quality was not up to their listening standards. They just ran out of excuses. The Wadia 170i Transport, played through a Music Fidelity Digital Analog Converter (both pieces cost about $675 and are available from Amazon) gives you iPod sound that's so close to the original CD you'll be pressed to hear a difference. Mine is played through Rotel two channel gear and output on Martin Logan ReQuest speakers. The sound, simply put, is extraordinary. Once I transfer all my 500 or so CDs to iTunes I'll likely sell the CDs and use nothing but the iPod/Wadia/Music Fidelity input.
 Sounds great! Not cheap, and has some minor annoyances September 26, 2009
Arthur Simon (Albany, CA)
4 out of 4 found this review helpful
This is a unique product. If you want to run your iPod through an external DAC, this is the only game in town.
I have a Trends TA10.1 class T amp and Axiom M3v2 speakers. Adding the iTransport and a $50 Muse NOS DAC with 4 parallel Philips TDA1543 chips made a dramatic improvement in the sound quality of my system. Mp3s, Pandora and streaming web radio all sound better. In fact, Pandora and some web radio now sounds better than over the air FM HD broadcasts did when I had the Sony XDRF1HD hooked up to the system. I can't see much reason to listen to over the air radio now that I can get so much more through the iPod touch.
I did some A/B tests with a skeptical neighbor, and he admitted it was a big improvement, though he remained skeptical if it was worth over $400 (including the price of the DAC).
Doing the A/B tests revealed some annoying aspects of the iTransports design. The remote is a joke. I wouldn't care, except that you are forced to use the remote to switch back and forth between the digital and analog inputs. One press of the cryptically labeled "mode" button switches from digital to analog mode. To switch back to digital, you have to remove the iPod, return it to the dock and press the mode button again. The only time you'd do this is to A/B the digital and analog outputs, or to enable video output on some iPods, but it's a pretty clunky operation. I also noticed some hum on the analog side when the iPod is out of the dock.
If you just leave it in digital mode, you can lose the remote and everything is great. The important thing is that it sounds great. And combined with the external DAC, the output is quite a bit louder than the iPods internal DAC and amplifier. That's good for me, since it compliments the meager 15 watts of my class T amp. I can really fill the room with music well before the 12 o'clock position on my volume control now.
There's no power switch or light, but there isn't on other iPod docks either. The footprint is much larger than a standard dock, which is probably fine if you are hooking it up to standard sized audio components, but both my amp and DAC have a footprint that is not much larger than a deck of cards, so I'd prefer it was smaller.
Not only does it dwarf my other equipment in size, it is the single most expensive piece of gear in my system. This is probably my biggest reservation. If you are an audiophile with a system that cost thousands, then you probably won't find the price that high. I'm not an audiophile, I just wanted to bring the iPod up to the "Hi-Fi" level. The iTransport delivers the sound quality, I just wish it were smaller, cheaper and had a decent built in DAC.
Essential equipment for the digital audiophile September 19, 2009
A Reader (North Bethesda, MD USA)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
The purpose of the Wadia 170i Transport is to bypass the iPod's cheap internal digital-analog converter (DAC) and headphone amplifier, and to extract and deliver a clean digital signal through a standard S/PDIF coaxial cable (included with the 170i). This cable can be plugged into any receiver, amplifier, or stand-alone DAC with an S/PDIF input.
This capability allows the iPod to become a source for really great sound, provided that (i) the music files stored on the iPod are high quality, such as WAV or Apple Lossless and (ii) that the DAC and other components being used downstream of the 170i are high quality also.
I plugged the 170i into a Grace m902 reference DAC/headphone amplifier and was impressed by what I heard - true audiophile sound coming from an iPod.
It is important to note that not all iPods are compatible with the 170i, although most of the newer models are. So check first!
By the way, Wadia is one of the most renowned manufacturers of high-end (meaning ultra-expensive and ultra-high quality) digital audio equipment. They know what they are doing.
Makes the difference June 20, 2009
Victor Sam (Lima, Perú)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful
I am using the Wadia 170i connected with its own digital cable to a Polk audio Surround Bar 360 DVD and connected with Audioquest copperhead rca cable to Audioengine A5, the sound of the mp3 at 320 Kbps, are really good in those systems, and the Wadia add a real plus to the sound of the mp3, the sound is clear, transparent and vivid, also you can use the Ipod and a music server.
Comparing the sound of the Ipod touch 2G and Wadia 170i with the CD player of the SurroundBar 360, the Cd player of the SurroundBar 360 sound is more punchy has better bass definition, but for casual listening the sound of the Ipod touch 2G and Wadia 170i is more than enough.
Comparing the sound of the Ipod touch 2G and the Wadia with a really cheap Sony DC/DVD player both connected to a couple of Audioenginee A5 speakers, the sound is almost equal, both have great bass, perfect to listen to Iron Maiden, Metallica and Judas Priest.
Conclusion, if you want to connect the IPod to other sources, use the Wadia makes the difference.
great value - great sound March 24, 2009
Steven E. Lee (scottsdale, az)
1 out of 5 found this review helpful
this is a wonderful product. at this price, it can't be beat. add a nice DAC, and you're ready to go... even as an audiosnob. enjoy
Showing reviews 1-5 of 7
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