Hi All,
I have just bought a used Wadia X32 Digimaster digital computer in immaculate condition from the USA and hence it is a 110V product. I am based out of Asia and require this to be plugged into a 220V ac mains line.
The IEC receptacle at the back highlights 110/120/220/240V but pulling the fuse out, I see a card which mentioned 110V. I opened the top cover and saw that the inside of the IEC receptacle (made by Delta Electronics) also mentions 120/240V and 50/60hz on it. There are a couple of metal lugs which are not connected there. Please see attached photos.
I can't locate either an operation manual or a service manual for this DAC.
Can anyone, who has worked with this Wadia before, please help me with the exact steps on how to convert the voltage on this DAC from 110V to 220V. I read in another Wadia manual for another dac that they used to ask folks to send their dacs to Wadia's factory to get the voltage conversion done. I don't obviously have this option to avail. Even if you have the operation/service manual with you, appreciate if you could mail it to me on my email id (can share with you over a PM).
Highly appreciate your help on this matter. I can obviously resort to using a step down transformer but if there is a way to straightaway use the dac with 220V, I'd rather do that.
I have just bought a used Wadia X32 Digimaster digital computer in immaculate condition from the USA and hence it is a 110V product. I am based out of Asia and require this to be plugged into a 220V ac mains line.
The IEC receptacle at the back highlights 110/120/220/240V but pulling the fuse out, I see a card which mentioned 110V. I opened the top cover and saw that the inside of the IEC receptacle (made by Delta Electronics) also mentions 120/240V and 50/60hz on it. There are a couple of metal lugs which are not connected there. Please see attached photos.
I can't locate either an operation manual or a service manual for this DAC.
Can anyone, who has worked with this Wadia before, please help me with the exact steps on how to convert the voltage on this DAC from 110V to 220V. I read in another Wadia manual for another dac that they used to ask folks to send their dacs to Wadia's factory to get the voltage conversion done. I don't obviously have this option to avail. Even if you have the operation/service manual with you, appreciate if you could mail it to me on my email id (can share with you over a PM).
Highly appreciate your help on this matter. I can obviously resort to using a step down transformer but if there is a way to straightaway use the dac with 220V, I'd rather do that.
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I did more research on this and started digging out details on the IEC connector model that is installed in this dac. The IEC connector/EMI Filter is from Delta Electronics and the model is 06LE4. I found its data sheet available on this link: https://www.mouser.com/datasheet/2/632/Delta_Electronics_10032018_06LE4-1487738.pdf
The data sheet states that this IEC/FIlter:
* Adapts to 100-120V or 200-240V input voltage by simply reversing the voltage selector.
* Gives the attached electrical schematic
Could anyone study this and advise if the connections from trafo primary to this IEC connector need changes as per the diagram attached and that is all that will be required to plug the dac into a 220V ac mains line?
The data sheet states that this IEC/FIlter:
* Adapts to 100-120V or 200-240V input voltage by simply reversing the voltage selector.
* Gives the attached electrical schematic
Could anyone study this and advise if the connections from trafo primary to this IEC connector need changes as per the diagram attached and that is all that will be required to plug the dac into a 220V ac mains line?
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Hi, did you ask Wadia for help by email? It should not be necessary to send it to them although they can be quite hard to convince. I did a few repairs on Wadia and when they understood I am qualified they helped me.
An error is quickly made... so I would like to advise to ask them to be sure.
An error is quickly made... so I would like to advise to ask them to be sure.
Hi JP, EB - Of course, the first thing I did was to write to Wadia's tech support and service departments. Not just once but twice. However, no response whatsoever from their end. I requested for the explanation on how it could be done outside of their factory since I am based in India and also requested for their service and operational manual. However, no luck so far. That is when I decided to seek help outside from stalwarts like yourselves, who may have tried this dac/other Wadia dacs or would have worked on a similar voltage conversion aspect sometime.
Anyway, for now, I have gotten myself a step down trafo and am able to get the Wadia going. In case some confirmed information is received later by wadia or on this thread, I shall perform the operation.
Thanks for your time.
Anyway, for now, I have gotten myself a step down trafo and am able to get the Wadia going. In case some confirmed information is received later by wadia or on this thread, I shall perform the operation.
Thanks for your time.
Hi kartick, I own two W32, plugged in for 220V operation. I'll open one of them someday and make a picture that I'll post here. I just need some time because one of them is at a friends place and the other in operation stacked among other rather heavy devices, so it's not the most practical. But I'll do that.
Meanwhile, here is a large picture of one of them some time ago, not of very good quality, and not with the right angle for your needs, that can nevertheless show a little part of the area.
Meanwhile, here is a large picture of one of them some time ago, not of very good quality, and not with the right angle for your needs, that can nevertheless show a little part of the area.
Hey, thanks for your response. It’ll be lovely to receive your detailed feedback once you’ve gotten your hands on one of your W32s. I shall eagerly wait.
Unfortunately, the pic you shared pixelates when you zoom in. But thanks anyway.
Do you reckon these w32 are bi-wired to operate in 110 and 220v from the factory?
Also, in this day and age, how relevant do you feel the W32 is in comparison to the dacs out there? Does it stand anywhere close to the other modern dacs?
Unfortunately, the pic you shared pixelates when you zoom in. But thanks anyway.
Do you reckon these w32 are bi-wired to operate in 110 and 220v from the factory?
Also, in this day and age, how relevant do you feel the W32 is in comparison to the dacs out there? Does it stand anywhere close to the other modern dacs?
You're welcome. Yeah, it's a general picture of the device, and I made it bigger. I attach the original here and since you answered quickly, and I can guess you're waiting for it, I'll do my best to make it promptly. Yes, all Wadias are supposed to operate on any voltage (all mine at least).
About the sound of it? If I keep them both, there must be a reason 😉
I listen to it with a WT3200 (I've got two of them also), a very good and well built CDM1 based player (similar to Marantz CD94 and Philips 950, but it's a Wadia...) and I like the lively sound to the X32. I also have a ML36 DAC which I find maybe more delicate than the X32, but less dynamic and "lively". I should maybe recap them (they were built in 1991) to see if it changes something. But my recent cap testing showed nothing clearly wrong. With an A/B testing on different friend's machines, the X32 makes always better. The only "better" machine I've been listening long enough is another Wadia I own, a W16 (I have to repair it someday).
Cheers!
About the sound of it? If I keep them both, there must be a reason 😉
I listen to it with a WT3200 (I've got two of them also), a very good and well built CDM1 based player (similar to Marantz CD94 and Philips 950, but it's a Wadia...) and I like the lively sound to the X32. I also have a ML36 DAC which I find maybe more delicate than the X32, but less dynamic and "lively". I should maybe recap them (they were built in 1991) to see if it changes something. But my recent cap testing showed nothing clearly wrong. With an A/B testing on different friend's machines, the X32 makes always better. The only "better" machine I've been listening long enough is another Wadia I own, a W16 (I have to repair it someday).
Cheers!
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Thanks for sharing of your impressions. I had borrowed a 220-110V transformer to use the Wadia from a friend. However, ever since I have given the transformer back, I havent been able to use the Wadia. If you can really help me wire it to be used it with the 220V AC, it will be super awesome. I also plan to experiment using a current generation DDC such as the Gustard U18 to see if the performance of my vintage dacs scale up. That will include my Monarch M22 and the Wadia W32.
I hope you were able to check out the pictures of my W32 that I posted in Post #1. Kindly compare those with your dac's internals and let me know what steps do I need to take to convert it from 110 to 220?
Have you considered upgrading your W32 by recapping it to better audio grade caps? I did that to my Monarchy M22 basis the suggestions of the designer Mr. CC Poon and it really did help improve the sound. If you have any tips to improve the sound of the W32, do share.
If I may ask, where in the world are you based? Cheers
Kartick
I hope you were able to check out the pictures of my W32 that I posted in Post #1. Kindly compare those with your dac's internals and let me know what steps do I need to take to convert it from 110 to 220?
Have you considered upgrading your W32 by recapping it to better audio grade caps? I did that to my Monarchy M22 basis the suggestions of the designer Mr. CC Poon and it really did help improve the sound. If you have any tips to improve the sound of the W32, do share.
If I may ask, where in the world are you based? Cheers
Kartick
Hi Kartick, I'm living in France. And I'm basically French. And you? 😉
Then, I understand better how you may miss the Wadia sound, and I'll check tomorrow on mine. So I should post the picture rather quickly. Yeah, cool.
About recapping, it's always the same dilemma. Keep the old components if they are OK, or change them for "supposedly better ones". I do both, because I think that the people who designed the machines I got knew what they were doing. Plus, usually, high-end manufacturers like Jeff Rowland or Mark Levinson would never put a bad/cheap/risky component in one of their devices. I've got a 1985 ML9 amp that I recapped partially but all (all) caps were on par with their original specs. Even the two 36000 µF blue cans that I changed altogether just to be sure it would hold 40 years more.
But sometimes it's necessary, so I do it.
So about recapping the W32, I'll certainly do that some day because I like to clean and solder, but I'm not absolutely sure it will improve the sound notably! I'll tell you more about that when it's done.
Then, I understand better how you may miss the Wadia sound, and I'll check tomorrow on mine. So I should post the picture rather quickly. Yeah, cool.
About recapping, it's always the same dilemma. Keep the old components if they are OK, or change them for "supposedly better ones". I do both, because I think that the people who designed the machines I got knew what they were doing. Plus, usually, high-end manufacturers like Jeff Rowland or Mark Levinson would never put a bad/cheap/risky component in one of their devices. I've got a 1985 ML9 amp that I recapped partially but all (all) caps were on par with their original specs. Even the two 36000 µF blue cans that I changed altogether just to be sure it would hold 40 years more.
But sometimes it's necessary, so I do it.
So about recapping the W32, I'll certainly do that some day because I like to clean and solder, but I'm not absolutely sure it will improve the sound notably! I'll tell you more about that when it's done.
Super! I am gonna wait to hear from you on all these points. I was feeling that perhaps due to the stepdown transformer in the mix, I was definitely not getting the full potential out from this DAC! My first mission is to convert it to 220V, hopefully by re-wiring it basis how you guide me. Then listening to it in my system stock and then trying out the DDC with it to see if it scales up. I have really high hopes.
PS: I am from India and finding such hifi stuff here is insanely hard! I had to source this dac from the USA as I had heard nothing but praises about it.
PS: I am from India and finding such hifi stuff here is insanely hard! I had to source this dac from the USA as I had heard nothing but praises about it.
Hey thank you loads for doing this for me!! I shall open up mine later tonight to compare with your photo and come back to you if I have any questions.
Meanwhile, please could you also share the picture of the back plate/panel of your w32. Want to compare it with what i have to ensure that mine is not a 110v version only!!
Meanwhile, please could you also share the picture of the back plate/panel of your w32. Want to compare it with what i have to ensure that mine is not a 110v version only!!
Umm - this is easy. Remove mains cable, slide plastic cover over mains socket, use lever to remove fuse. You’ll then see a small PCB (printed cct board) - depending which way this is fitted you can run 4 different mains voltages! Just be careful when first removing it - I think the selected voltage is written on PCB edge closest to you as you remove it.
Edit to add: https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/wadia-digimaster-x-32-dac.266282/ - this covers work I did on 2 X-32s. The second one had a melted mains transformer due to a short circuit rectifier diode. I could not find a replacement transformer that support all 4 primary winding options, so it is now a fixed 220v one.
Edit to add: https://pinkfishmedia.net/forum/threads/wadia-digimaster-x-32-dac.266282/ - this covers work I did on 2 X-32s. The second one had a melted mains transformer due to a short circuit rectifier diode. I could not find a replacement transformer that support all 4 primary winding options, so it is now a fixed 220v one.
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Hey
Hey Dowser - Thanks a ton. I did as you said. I see the PCB displaying 120V. Can you tell how should i change the card’s orientation to make it work on 220v? Do i need to pull this out and reverse the pcb and insert it? Here are some pictures.
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Thanks @dowser and @perelman - you guys are really awesome. Your inputs just made this work. I am so happy that it is powering on as per the 220V voltage.
@dowser - So I pulled out that PCB card and inserted the 220V side in a way the 120V side was.
@perelman - Once I turned the PCB as per Dowser's input, I compared your wiring schematic to ensure that everything was okay and only then did I power it on from the 220V mains that I get in India, and Voila, it worked!!
I will test the SQ tomorrow once again and see how different, if at all, does it sound when not using an average step down transformer in the chain!
Cheers
Kartick
@dowser - So I pulled out that PCB card and inserted the 220V side in a way the 120V side was.
@perelman - Once I turned the PCB as per Dowser's input, I compared your wiring schematic to ensure that everything was okay and only then did I power it on from the 220V mains that I get in India, and Voila, it worked!!
I will test the SQ tomorrow once again and see how different, if at all, does it sound when not using an average step down transformer in the chain!
Cheers
Kartick
Perfect! Happy that all worked fine and that you can have your beautiful machine working again. I think all Wadias should be working with the proper wiring without any fuss. Let us know about your impressions when you'll have taken pore time to listen to it.
And enjoy!
And enjoy!