background image

581 Disc Player

14

Configuring Digital Inputs for ClockLink 

(Wadia 581i Only)

To utilize ClockLink with an external processor, the Wadia 581

i

Disc Player digital inputs must be configured for

ClockLink as described below.

Use the Enter button to scroll through the display menus until you reach the configuration menu for the input
you wish to configure. Shown below is the configuration menu for Input 1:

Use the Volume Up or Volume Down button to change to ClockLink ON. Press the Mute button to save 
the configuration.

Note: Using ClockLink with a source other than the internal transport will result in unpredictable, 
degraded performance.

ClockLink should only be used when using an external processor which is being fed by the 581

Disc Player

internal transport. For all other applications, inputs should be configured with ClockLink OFF.

The Wadia 581

Disc Player has several features to prevent ClockLink from being engaged when it should not

be. First, whenever the input signal is other than 44.1 kHz sampling frequency, the Wadia 581

Disc Player will

automatically revert to recovered clock mode. Second, if the internal transport is not running, the Wadia 581

i

Disc Player will revert to recovered clock mode.

Note: All inputs on the Wadia 581i are factory configured for ClockLink OFF.

ClockLink Status Indication

When the Wadia 581

Disc Player is operating in ClockLink mode, the Input screen will indicate as shown below:

Even if an input is configured for ClockLink, the Status screen will only indicate ClockLink if it is currently
engaged. For example, if an input is configured for ClockLink, and the Wadia 581

Disc Player’s internal transport

is turned off, then the display will not indicate ClockLink.

!

!

7

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use a Balanced or Unbalanced connection?

If your amplifier has a true balanced input, we recommend you use the balanced analog output from your
Wadia 581 Disc Player. All things being equal, properly implemented balanced (also called differential) circuitry
sounds better than unbalanced circuitry. The Wadia 581 Disc Player is a true balanced design. It generates the
inverted signal in the digital domain and all subsequent processing is done in balanced mode. Your Wadia 581
Disc Player is designed to maintain many of the advantages of true balanced design when using the unbalanced
outputs. In addition, the Wadia 581 output stage is capable of driving both types of outputs simultaneously.

Why should I bypass the Preamplifier?

A preamplifier is unnecessary when using your Wadia 581 Disc Player. The Wadia 581 Disc Player provides all
the necessary control functions of a preamp while the signal is still in the digital domain. This avoids the sonic
degradation caused by analog circuitry, switches, and wire. The Wadia 581 Disc Player output stage can drive
any power amplifier and any interconnects, even at very long lengths.

Does the Wadia Volume Control compromise resolution?

The Wadia 581 Disc Player uses the latest generation of Wadia’s proprietary digital volume control. The volume
level can be varied in the digital domain by means of mathematical manipulation of the signal, eliminating the
distortion and noise that are inevitable with even the best analog volume controls. While conventional thinking
indicates that reducing the volume digitally can sacrifice low level resolution, Wadia has created an innovative
solution. Wadia’s patented digital filtering algorithm produces a 24 bit output rather than the 16 bits stored on
the CD. This high-resolution signal is then used in the computations which in turn reduce the volume level. This
new signal is fed directly to the DAC chips. Through this innovative method, the Wadia 581 Disc Player main-
tains high resolution even at the lowest volume control settings.

Can I bypass the Wadia Volume Control?

Because the Digital Volume control does not include any analog circuitry, there is none to be bypassed. Even
the mathematical program step that performs the Digital Volume Control calculation is an integral part of the
Wadia DigiMaster filter algorithm and therefore cannot be bypassed. If you do not need the Wadia Volume
Control, set it to its maximum level of 100 on the display.

What about Analog Sources?

In order to fully realize the potential of this type of system, Wadia has a range of Analog-to-Digital converters.
Now it is possible to use analog sources, such as a tuner, tape deck, or even a turntable (in conjunction with a
suitable phono stage) in your system without using a conventional analog preamplifier. Consult your dealer for
more information on the Wadia Analog-to-Digital products.

Should I leave the Wadia 581 

Disc Player

with the power on?

The Wadia 581 Disc Player is designed to be left with the power on with no harm or wear to the unit. All
motors and laser circuitry turn off when the unit stops playing. If desired, the front display can be turned off
(see 

Turning off the Display

under 

Remote Operation

). Leaving the power on allows the circuitry to remain

in thermally stable, which provides better performance and longer life. Careful listeners will notice that the
sound of the Wadia 581 Disc Player will improve steadily after the unit is poweredup. A new unit will undergo
more dramatic changes when power is applied for the first time. If you turn off your Wadia 581 for more than an
hour, you will find that the unit will undergo similar, but less dramatic improvement once power is reapplied.

Summary of Contents for 581

Page 1: ...581 Disc Player ...

Page 2: ...utput Level 6 Connecting Digital Sources 6 Choosing a Digital Cable Wadia 581i only 6 Frequently Asked Questions 7 General Operation Front Panel Controls 8 Display Features 9 Display Functions 9 Remote Control Operation 11 Theory of Operation 13 Menu Screen Map 15 Playback Options 16 Digital Algorithms 17 Appendices Troubleshooting 18 Software License Agreement 18 Environmental Care 18 Technical S...

Page 3: ...mance for digital audio decoding Here is an abbreviated list of the technological innovations Wadia engineers have pioneered First company to introduce an outboard Digital to Analog converter First company to develop an audio optimized upsampling digital filter First company to apply glass fiber optics to home audio First company to recognize clock jitter as a source of audible distortion First co...

Page 4: ...re the following accessories AC power cord Four tip toes with threaded studs Four steel coasters RCA BNC adapter Remote Control Two type AAA batteries Do not tip the unit onto the back panel This can damage input and or output connectors Installing the Tip Toes With the unit still positioned on its side screw one of the tip toes into the bottom of each corner post Position the Wadia 581 Disc Playe...

Page 5: ...rface such as the Wadia 581 Disc Player chassis before connecting or removing a cable It is unlikely that a static shock will damage the unit but it may cause the Wadia 581 circuitry to lock up see Lock Up under Trouble Shooting Inputs and outputs can be safely connected to the Wadia 581 Disc Player 1 Before the unit is powered up 2 When the unit is in Relay Mute mode We strongly recommend that yo...

Page 6: ... accepted transmission formats for digital audio we recommend using a high quality glass fiber cable such as the one available from Wadia Wadia Digital was the first company to use glass fiber optic data transmission in digital audio We have continually improved this format and believe that it offers the best most consistent performance of all the available options Based on our experience here is ...

Page 7: ... 16 bits stored on the CD This high resolution signal is then used in the computations which in turn reduce the volume level This new signal is fed directly to the DAC chips Through this innovative method the Wadia 581 Disc Player main tains high resolution even at the lowest volume control settings Can I bypass the Wadia Volume Control Because the Digital Volume control does not include any analo...

Page 8: ...it to move to the previous track and begin playing Open Close Stop If the drawer is open pushing this button will CLOSE the drawer If the disc is playing pushing this button will STOP playing If the unit is not playing pushing this button will OPEN the drawer Example To open the drawer while the unit is playing push the button once to stop and once more to open Volume Down Decreases the volume by ...

Page 9: ...1 Disc Player is powered up After five seconds the display will change to the Input screen with internal transport selected then change again to the Volume screen with the volume set to Zero Input Screen The Input screen shows which input is currently selected It also indicates whether ClockLink is engaged and the sampling frequency If there is no signal connected to the selected input the display...

Page 10: ...reen Changing Between Display Screens Anytime a button is pressed the Wadia 581 Disc Player display automatically switches to the appropriate screen to display the change For example pressing the balance controls on the remote control will switch the 581 Disc Player display to the Balance screen After five seconds the display will return to the Volume screen Also pressing the enter button will cau...

Page 11: ...e the button is pressed the opposite channel is decreased This way the overall volume level the sum of the two channels remains constant within 0 1 dB Selecting an Input The Wadia 581i Disc Player has four digital inputs plus the internal drive Any of the inputs can be selected from the remote control by pressing the input button Each time the input button is pressed the next input is selected For...

Page 12: ...gaged it connects the positive output to the negative output reducing the output to zero This relay which produces an audible click when it engages or disengages is not in the music signal path The mute relay is engaged When the Wadia 581 Disc Player detects AC input level below its minimum operating range Each time the Wadia 581 Disc Player power switch is turned on When the volume control is set...

Page 13: ...igital inputs and outputs can be used with a digital signal processor such as a digital equalizer Digital processors allow the signal to be modified without adding analog noise and distortion However digital processors can add jitter as shown below causing noticeable sonic degradation Using ClockLink with an external processor the Wadia 581 Disc Player ignores the incoming clock and uses the maste...

Page 14: ...transport For all other applications inputs should be configured with ClockLink OFF The Wadia 581i Disc Player has several features to prevent ClockLink from being engaged when it should not be First whenever the input signal is other than 44 1 kHz sampling frequency the Wadia 581i Disc Player will automatically revert to recovered clock mode Second if the internal transport is not running the Wad...

Page 15: ...15 Status Screen Input Screen Balance Screen Operation Screens Configuration Screens Volume Screen Y Enter Mute Mute Mute Mute Mute N Enter Enter Enter Enter Enter Enter Enter Enter Enter Enter ...

Page 16: ...will cause the display to indicate the total time elapsed for the entire disc Pressing the button another time will cause the display to show the total time remaining for the entire disc Finally pressing the button again will cycle back to the original default setting Repeat Pressing this button will cause the entire disc to repeat continuously Pressing this button a second time will take the tran...

Page 17: ...h sample rates We encourage you to become familiar with the unique sonic performance of each of these algorithms and enjoy the one that brings you optimum musical pleasure Selecting an Algorithm To change the digital processing algorithm press the Enter button on the remote control repeatedly to bring up this configuration screen The selected algorithm is shown on the second line of the display Us...

Page 18: ...till does not operate normally contact your dealer Software License Agreement IMPORTANT THIS AGREEMENT SETS FORTH TERMS AND CONDITIONS FOR THE DigiMaster SOFTWARE The DigiMaster software is copyrighted and patented It is the property of Wadia Digital Title to Licensed Software is not transferred to the customer The customer is granted a nonexclusive license to use the Licensed Software only on thi...

Page 19: ...ne pair of Unbalanced RCA Both can be used simultaneously Digital Outputs Wadia 581i only 1 Glass Fiber Optic ST 1 AES EBU XLR 1 SP DIF BNC 1 Plastic Optical Toslink Digital Inputs Wadia 581i only 1 Glass Fiber Optic ST 1 AES EBU XLR 1 SP DIF BNC 1 Plastic Optical Toslink Output Impedance 51 ohms Power Consumption 58 watts Weight 48 lbs Unit itself 55 Lbs Shipping Weight Dimensions 17 Wide 16 Deep...

Reviews: