Qobuz ad banner
Qobuz ad banner
Products
Used Deals
Brands
Dealers
Record Stores
News
Spotlight
Articles

Authorized dealers for Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION

  • The ASOC Gallery of Fine Audio — in-store — Stratford, Ontario, Canada (website)
  • Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
  • American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
  • Anagram Audio — online and in-store — Bury St Edmunds, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio Ultra — in-store — Tacoma, Washington, United States (website)
  • Audioplus Hi End — in-store — San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche, Italy (website)
  • audioxperience — in-store — Nuenen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (website)
  • Bending Wave USA — in-store — Davie, Florida, United States (website)
  • Command Performance AV — in-store — Falls Church, Virginia, United States (website)
  • David Michael Audio — online and in-store — Detroit, Michigan, United States (website)

and 14 more verified dealers

Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION #1
Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION variant 1
Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION variant 2
Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION variant 3
Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION variant 4
Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION variant 5

Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION

Spain flag

The Wadax Studio Player fuses rich tonal density, explosive dynamics and holographic spatial precision into a formidable one-box digital front end. Robert Harley praised its warm, grain-free musicality and expansive imaging, while Audiodrom found its streaming, CD/SACD, DAC and direct-volume capabilities remarkably complete. Modular upgrade paths add long-term appeal.

View at Wadax
Specifications16 reviews & sources

WATT RECOMMENDS

Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.

Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.

95/100
Rating for STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION

Deliciously Crispy

Sound Quality

96/100

Build Quality

96/100

Features Usability

92/100

Value for Money

96/100

Pros

Rich, full bass, dense natural tone and smooth, detailed treble create an exceptionally relaxed yet involving presentation.

Outstanding dynamics, timing and transient articulation deliver punchy rhythmic drive without sacrificing refinement.

Deep, layered soundstaging with precise image placement and tangible air around performers.

Comprehensively integrated streamer, DAC, CD/SACD player and volume control, with meaningful external clock and PSU upgrade options.

Cons

No USB input, limiting direct connection of computers, external drives and flash storage.

The disc tray feels comparatively inexpensive and operates more noisily than premium Japanese transports.

Its revealing treble and transient performance can expose harshness or production flaws in weaker recordings.

WATT RECOMMENDS

Save your favorites. Compare them anytime.

Create a free HiFi Hub account to save products to your Wishlist and compare your favorites side by side.

What Reviewers Are Saying

"Until then, the Studio Player remains a king of integrated digital devices and one of the most competent and superb-sounding players available today."

— Audiodrom

SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 96/100

Reviewers describe an unusually complete digital source: warm and richly embodied without sacrificing extension, speed, or transparency. Disc and streaming playback are reported as exceptionally clean, spacious, dynamically convincing, and highly resolved.

Tonal Balance Musicality

96/100

The Absolute Sound heard rich, full bass and midbass, a dense but not over-romantic midrange, and smooth, extended treble. Audiodrom likewise found a subtle warmth and liquidity without digital grain, while praising a powerful, dynamic and effortless presentation.

Resolution Detail

96/100

Audiodrom reports abundant resolution from both streaming and disc playback, with a pristine, organized presentation. The Absolute Sound highlights exceptional depth, layering, air around images, and precisely separated instruments; its video review calls the Studio's retrieval of musical information top-notch.

Digital Performance

95/100

Wadax's musIC 3 time-domain feed-forward error-correction system is repeatedly identified as a central part of the design. Reviewers hear the resulting playback as notably free of grain, highly dynamic, and unusually convincing in timing, transient expression, and spatial precision.

FEATURES USABILITY PERFORMANCE 92/100

This is a highly integrated source combining streaming, CD/SACD playback, DAC functionality, volume control, and upgrade paths for an external PSU and clock. Its connectivity is extensive, though the lack of USB input limits direct connection of computers and local USB storage.

Streaming Software

90/100

The Studio Player supports direct playback through Spotify, Qobuz, and Tidal, along with UPnP, AirPlay, Roon Ready operation, and over-the-air updates. The Absolute Sound calls it convenient and easy to use, and the touchscreen offers extensive setup adjustments; the reviews say less about long-term app stability and library management.

Features Connectivity

95/100

The feature set is unusually broad for a single chassis, including CD/SACD playback, streaming, DAC operation, remote-controlled digital volume, balanced analog outputs, and AES/EBU, RCA, and BNC digital outputs. External clock and power-supply connections add meaningful upgrade flexibility, although there is no USB input for a directly attached computer or drive.

Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.

Build Quality

96/100

Construction receives direct and emphatic praise. Audiodrom calls the 30kg player tank-like inside and out, while The Absolute Sound cites more than 4,500 parts across 40 circuit boards and describes the fit, finish, and overall execution as exceptional.

Value for Money

96/100

At roughly $38,500 to $49,200, it is firmly a luxury purchase, but reviewers repeatedly frame it as unusually compelling among ultra-high-end digital sources. Audiodrom calls it one of high-end audio's most sensational buys for its capabilities, while The Absolute Sound calls it a bargain relative to the Reference-derived technology, sound, upgradability, and all-in-one convenience.

Reviews & Sources

Professional reviews and sources for this product's Watt'n Potatoes analysis.

Online Reviews & Mentions

YouTube Reviews

Forum Mentions

No forum mentions found yet

store
store
store
store
store
store

Specifications

Dimensions
Studio Player / Studio PSU: 48 cm (W) x 35 cm (D) x 20.4cm (H) Studio Clock: 48 cm (W) x 35 cm (D) x 16.2cm (H)
Remote support and OTA upgrade
Software upgradeable over the Internet Internet connection is required with a minimal bandwidth of 20Mbps
Output Level
1V / 2V / 4V
Output impedance
0.4 / 7.4 / 7.5 / 8.2 / 8.3 / 8.7 / 8.82 / 9.84 / 10 / 28.57 / 30 / 46.15 / 50 / 66.67 / 75 / 600 ohms
Digital outputs
1xSPDIF RCA (32KHz-192KHz, 16-24 bits) 1xSPDIF BNC (32KHz-192KHz, 16-24 bits) 1xAES-EBU (32KHz-192KHz, 16-24 bits)
Supported disc standards
Red Book (CD) and Scarlett Book (SACD)
Support streaming services
Spotify, Tidal HiFi ,Qobuz Connect, Audirvana, uPnP
Certifications
MQA Certified. Roon-Ready.
User interface
5 inch capacitive touch full-colour display 800×480
Connections
1 Wadax Akasa DC socket (for the optional external Power Supply – Studio PSU) 2 BNC input sockets (for the optional external clock – STUDIO CLOCK) 1 Ethernet socket Audio output: 1 pair of XLR
Net Weight
Studio Player: 70,50 lbs / 32Kg. With packaging and shipping pallet: 121lbs / 55Kg (80x50x58.5cm) Studio PSU: TBD Studio Clock: TBD
SACD Playback
CD Playback
Balanced Output
MQA Decoding
Roon Ready
Touch Screen
Display
Ethernet
Network Audio
Spotify Connect
TIDAL Connect
Clock Input
DSD Support

Manufacturer's Description — Wadax

STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION

WADAX revolutionized digital music reproduction with the groundbreaking Atlantis Reference line, elevating every aspect of the musical signal to unprecedented heights and redefining the boundaries of sonic excellence. As the undisputed standard bearer for years, Atlantis Reference remains unrivaled, serving as the pinnacle against which all others are measured. Drawing from the wealth of expertise amassed through extensive research endeavors, WADAX proudly introduces the Studio • Player Collection.


The Studio • Player Collection is based around the Studio • Player as the core of the ecosystem.

The Studio • Player seamlessly integrates WADAX technology into a single chassis, combining the functionalities of a CD/SACD disc player, streamer, and DAC for unparalleled convenience. Built upon the same digital-to-analog circuitry as the acclaimed Atlantis Reference DAC, Studio • Player delivers uncompromising performance within a streamlined design. Its user-friendly interface ensures effortless operation, allowing users to immerse themselves fully in the listening experience.

Designed for expansion, add-on components like the Studio PSU, Studio Clock or the Akasa DC Studio cable further elevate performance, ensuring Studio • Player evolves alongside your system. Offering a listening experience unmatched by any other multifunction digital component, Studio • Player unlocks the full potential of your system, enabling you to experience music like never before.

Experience music in a league of its own with Studio • Player—a testament to innovation, performance, and the pursuit of musical perfection


Streaming Made Easy

Studio • Player offers a streamlined playback experience, designed for maximum simplicity and ease of use. Instead of relying on additional streaming management software, Studio • Player has been certified by Spotify, Tidal, Qobuz, Audirvana and Roon for direct connect playback. Other streaming services will be added. This means that users can effortlessly connect to Studio • Player using the original app from their preferred streaming service. Switching between streaming services is as simple as changing apps. The use of the native app for each streaming service ensures that Studio • Player does not require frequent updates to stay current, reducing downtime for software maintenance and allowing users to spend more time enjoying their music.

Additionally, this configuration enables any device running a streaming app to function as the controller for Studio • Player. Users can conveniently view artwork and control volume from the comfort of their listening chair. Backed by technology developed for the renowned Atlantis Reference Server, Studio • Player promises seamless playback with a level of musical engagement and performance that only WADAX can deliver.


Play all your Discs

The compact disc was introduced over forty years ago and, since that time, a lot of music has been encoded to this format that is not available elsewhere. Studio • Player incorporates a disc player which reads both Red Book (CD) and Scarlett Book (SACD) discs so you can play back music no matter the format. Combining an optical disc transport with advanced technologies from WADAX once again yields a naturalness and organic quality unavailable in other digital music playback systems.

Featuring industry-leading jitter reduction and the feed forward musIC topology exclusive to WADAX, Studio • Player transforms the data from your optical media into an engaging and palpable listening experience.


THE UNIQUE musIC FEED-FORWARD ERROR CORRECTION PROCESS

Conventional digital decoding struggles to achieve its theoretical performance: components and circuits never behave ideally, generating a complex, polluting mix of nonlinearities that contaminates the delicate audio signals during and AFTER conversion.

The delicate micro-information and expressive nuances in the musical signal are obscured by inter-reactions between power supplies, clocking, grounding, analog circuitry and the digital to analogue converter. To further complicate things, these non-linearities and error mechanisms are load dependent, varying with signal amplitude. Together they form the core of what we have all come to recognize as "digital sound."

WADAX technology is founded on the unique musIC process, a sophisticated feed-forward error correction system that operates in the time domain. By mapping the error mechanisms of a chosen DAC chip under load using Adaptive Delta Hilbert Mapping, we can develop an algorithm that examines the incoming signal and calculates the induced error (both linear and nonlinear) that will result. By applying an inverse signal at the input we can real-time correct for the time and phase error that is so musically destructive in other, conventional decoding systems.

This process requires a massive number of mathematical operations and considerable data transfer: 12,8 GBytes/s. Processing is done at 128 bit internal resolution to precisely render the output and generate the smallest feed-forward corrections. The result is measurably and audibly the most natural and musically communicative digital decoding currently possible – something that's obvious as soon as you hear the Studio • Player.


Studio • Player in numbers:

The design of the chassis is critical and has a major influence in the final performance. It's an extremely complex design and each unit is made of 620 custom machined parts and a total of 14 different materials and alloys have been employed to manage resonance and vibration channeling.

  • 40 individual printed circuit boards.
  • More than 4500 discrete parts.
  • Dual-differential musIC 3 fixed point 128-bit-feed-forward error correction process.
  • Fully balanced, dual mono design with complete physical and electrical separation of left and right channels (digital and analog).
  • Digital circuitry time aligned to 100ps.
  • 0.5uV of total rail noise (1Hz-100KHz): ultra sophisticated power supply with distributed regulation topology.
  • 30 local regulation stages, 5 stages of DC regulation.
  • User-adjustable gain and output impedance.
  • With optional Studio • Clock: only 20fs total jitter.

Experience a [R]evolution – This time, raised to the power of three.

At WADAX, excellence is not merely a destination—it's a relentless pursuit. Staying true to our mission of redefining performance and setting new standards in high-end audio, we proudly unveil the results of years of uncompromising research and development. Introducing groundbreaking core technologies in power supply and clock generation—innovations that redefine the boundaries of digital playback. The first products to embody these revolutionary advancements are the Studio PSU and the Studio Clock.

The Studio • Player offers unparalleled performance and functionality, featuring a design that evolves seamlessly alongside your system. Its modular architecture and upgradeability ensure that the Studio • Player remains a steadfast centerpiece in your audio setup for years to come. Equipped with fully replaceable Atlantis Reference DAC modules, the Studio • Player guarantees continuous access to WADAX's latest technological advancements.

Moreover, the Studio • Player can be upgraded with the addition of the Studio PSU, the Studio Clock, and the Akasa DC Studio Cable, specifically designed to interconnect these units, forming the integrated Studio • Player System.

The Studio PSU incorporates next-generation power supply technology. While its performance alone is remarkable, its impact on musical reproduction is extraordinary. The Studio PSU features two outputs, delivering dedicated power to both the Studio • Player and the Studio Clock. The connection between these units is made using the specially developed Akasa DC Studio Cable, completing the cohesive ecosystem.

The Studio Clock distinguishes itself as a True MasterClock, surpassing the compromised world-clock concept commonly available on the market. Equipped with six configurable BNC 75-ohm outputs, each individually adjustable across various signal parameters. The Studio Clock significantly enhances sound quality and it serves as an essential tool for optimizing the performance of the Studio • Player. When configured as part of the integrated Studio • Player System, the resulting musical expressiveness is simply unmatched.

Wadax logo

Verified Dealers

Online Dealers

All Dealers

Zoom out the map to see more dealers

Authorized dealers for Wadax STUDIO · PLAYER COLLECTION

  • The ASOC Gallery of Fine Audio — in-store — Stratford, Ontario, Canada (website)
  • Addicted to Audio — online and in-store — Epping, Victoria, Australia (website)
  • American Sound — in-store — Richmond Hill, Ontario, Canada (website)
  • Anagram Audio — online and in-store — Bury St Edmunds, England, United Kingdom (website)
  • Audio Ultra — in-store — Tacoma, Washington, United States (website)
  • Audioplus Hi End — in-store — San Benedetto del Tronto, Marche, Italy (website)
  • audioxperience — in-store — Nuenen, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (website)
  • Bending Wave USA — in-store — Davie, Florida, United States (website)
  • Command Performance AV — in-store — Falls Church, Virginia, United States (website)
  • David Michael Audio — online and in-store — Detroit, Michigan, United States (website)

and 14 more verified dealers