Wadia 302 User manual

Wadia 3 30 02 2Compact Disc Player
Owner’s Manual
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2
Safety Precautions _______________
To get the best performance from your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player, and for
your own safety, please read and follow these important safety
instructions:
Never place the Wadia 302 CD Player near heat sources such as
radiators, fireplaces, stoves, or other appliances that produce heat.
Avoid placing the Wadia 302 CD Player where it will be subject to direct
sunlight or low temperatures.
• This product is equipped with a three-prong IEC power cord that
includes an earth ground connection. To prevent shock hazard, all
three connectors must always be used. If your electrical outlets will not
accept this type of plug, an adapter may be purchased. If an adapter
is necessary, be sure it is an approved type and that it is used properly,
supplying an earth ground.
• AC extension cords are not recommended for use with this product. If
an extension cord must be used, be sure it is an approved type and
has sufficient current carrying capacity for this product.
• Before cleaning the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player, always disconnect the
power supply cord. Use a soft cloth and, if necessary, dampen with
clean water or mild cleaning agent. Never apply water, or any other
cleaner, directly to the chassis.
• If you smell smoke or an abnormal smell, immediately unplug the
Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player from the power supply and contact your Wadia
dealer.
• Never attempt to service the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player beyond what is
described in this Owner’s Manual. Qualified service personnel should
perform all repairs.
• Unplug unit if it becomes wet.
• Do not open unit when attached to AC outlet; dangerous voltages and
laser radiation may be encountered.
• Replace fuse only with the exact type originally included:
100 volt: 1 amp Slo-Blo (1 fuse)
120 volt: 1 amp Slo-Blo (1 fuse)
220 volt: 1/2 amp Slo-Blo (2 fuses)
240 volt: 1/2 amp Slo-Blo (2 fuses)

3
Contents _______________________
Safety Precautions 2
Introduction 4
A Brief History of Wadia 4
Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player Design Philosophy 5
Installation 7
Unpacking 7
The Accessory Kit 7
Installing Batteries In Remote Control 7
Installing Cone Feet 8
Choosing a Location for the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player 8
Connections 9
Connecting to AC Power 10
Questions about Connecting the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player 11
Bypassing the Wadia Digital Volume Control 12
Connecting Directly to an Amplifier 12
Connecting to a Preamplifier 12
Adjusting the Maximum Output Voltage 13
Infrared Input and Pass-through 14
Optional Digital Inputs 14
Digital Output 14
Choosing a Digital Cable 15
Connecting to the Digital Inputs or Output 15
Operation 16
Front Panel Display and Controls 16
Remote Control 17
Operation Commands 18
Appendices 22
Trouble shooting 22
DigiMaster Software License Agreement 22
Environmental Care 22
Warranty 23
Specifications 24

4
Introduction ____________________
All of us at Wadia would like to offer thanks and congratulations to you
for purchasing the Wadia 3
33
302 Compact Disc Player. We sincerely
believe that your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is an intelligent purchase
decision that will bring you many years of musical pleasure and
satisfaction. While every new owner is anxious to begin listening, we
encourage you to take a few minutes to read this manual and
familiarize yourself with the full capabilities of the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player.
To reduce the risk of injury or damage to your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player,
please read the safety instructions on the first page of this manual. In
addition, please pay particular attention to the sections of this manual
where the symbol at left is shown.
A Brief History of Wadia
Wadia was originally founded in 1988, making it the first high-end audio
company dedicated to digital audio reproduction. Wadia was formed
by a group of telecommunications engineers from 3M Corporation
who were committed to using advanced digital technology to improve
the performance of digital audio equipment.
Wadia’s first product, the Wadia 2000 Decoding Computer, was a
breakthrough in that it proved the viability of the Compact Disc as a
musically involving format. Wadia has continued to develop new
methods and technology and each successive product has resulted in
a new standard of performance for digital audio decoding. Here is an
abbreviated list of the technological innovations Wadia engineers
pioneered:
• Patented DigiMaster™ up-sampling algorithm, optimized for
extracting maximum musical information from digital-audio data
stream.
• First company to apply high bandwidth glass fiber optics to home
audio.
• Direct-Connect™ system to connect digital audio products directly
to an amplifier.
• ClockLink™ proprietary jitter-reduction technology.
• Swift-Current™ zero-feedback current to voltage converter.

5
Wadia’s digital expertise and record of accomplishment exceed those
of any audio company, but technology alone does not guarantee
musical performance. Wadia designs are born of a delicate balance
of technology shaped by a passion for music.
Wadia is proud to introduce the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player, a breakthrough
in sonic performance and value, and a strong evidence of our
dedication to music reproduction.
Wadia 3
33
302 CD Design Philosophy
The Wadia 3
33
302 Compact Disc player is the first of Wadia’s new 3
33
3 –
series, a range of products that set a new standard for performance,
aesthetics, and value. The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player has received the
benefit of over 13 years and thousands of hours of development that
have resulted in the Wadia legacy. Viewed this way, the Wadia 3
33
302 CD
Player is one of the most outstanding values in the world of high-end
music reproduction.
Wadia Digital Volume Control with Direct-Connect™
The Digital Volume Control and Direct-Connect circuitry perform the
functions of a preamplifier while the signal is in the digital domain. This
allows the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player to be connected directly to your
power amplifier, bypassing the losses inherent in conventional
preamplifiers. New in the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is the ability to optimize
the output level to match your system by setting switches on the Wadia
3
33
302 CD Player rear panel.
DigiMaster™ Upsampling System
Wadia’s DigiMaster is a patented digital upsampling system designed
to extract maximum musical realism and detail from digital audio. In
the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player, Wadia introduces the latest version of
DigiMaster, with the best cost/performance ratio of any DigiMaster
system to date. In addition, this new version of DigiMaster accepts
96kHz signals and upsamples incoming signals to 705.6 kHz or 768 kHz.

6
Swift Current I-V Converter
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is the first Compact Disc player in this price
range to use Wadia’s patented Swift Current technology. This
proprietary, custom-fabricated integrated circuit performs the sonically
critical current-to-voltage conversion with no global negative
feedback, resulting in demonstrably superior sound quality.
The Music Comes First
As with all Wadia products, the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is the result of a
design philosophy that bridges the gap between the traditional
engineering and empirical approach to audio design. That is, Wadia
engineers are guided equally by advanced measurement techniques
and extensive listening during the development process. The result is
performance that exceeds the expectations of even the most
demanding listener.

7
Installation _____________________
This section includes information on how to unpack and position your
Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player.
Unpacking
After carefully unpacking your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player, inspect for any
shipping damage and call your dealer immediately if any is found. Do
not plug your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player into any outlet if you find shipping
damage.
Please save all packing materials so the unit can be easily and safely
shipped if the need arises.
The Accessory Kit
Included in the carton, you will find an accessory kit that contains the
following:
• AC power cord
• Remote Control
• Two type-AA batteries
• Three cone feet and flat metal discs
• One 75 Ohm BNC-to-RCA adapter
Installing Batteries In Remote Control
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player remote control requires two batteries, which
you will find in the accessory kit. To install the batteries, unscrew the
battery cover on the back of the remote. Insert the batteries as
indicated on the battery holders, and replace the cover.

8
Installing Cone Feet
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is equipped with three cone feet that screw
into inserts in the bottom panel. These feet will improve performance by
reducing vibration. If the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is sitting on a shelf that
can be damaged by the sharp feet, place the steel discs under each
foot to protect the shelf surface.
Choosing a Location for the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player
The sound quality of all high-performance digital and analog
components can be degraded by vibration. Although the Wadia 3
33
302
CD Player uses some of the most advanced noise-reduction circuitry
available, it too will benefit from any efforts taken to reduce vibration.
For best performance, place the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player on a solid, non-
resonant shelf that will minimize vibration.

9
Connections ____________________
This section provides instructions to connect the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player
to the rest of your music system. Below is an illustration of the Wadia
3
33
302 CD Player rear panel, showing all inputs and outputs.
Avoid allowing static shocks to be applied to the inputs or outputs. To
prevent static shocks, touch any grounded surface, such as the chassis
of a component that is plugged into an AC socket, before connecting
or removing a cable. It is unlikely that a static shock will damage the
unit, but it may cause the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player circuitry to lock-up (see
Trouble Shooting in Appendices).
Inputs and outputs can be safely connected to the Wadia 3
33
302 CD
Player:
• When the AC power is switched off OR
• When the unit is in Relay-Mute mode (See Mute in Operation)
DESIGNED & M ANUFACTURED
INTHE U.S.A.
IRIN
IROUT
IN1
RL
ANALOG OUT PUT
DI GITA L OUTP UT
LEFT
IN2 IN3 IN 4
IR pass through
(page 14)
Digital inputs (Optional)
(page 14)
Analog outputs
(page 10)
Digital output
(page 14)
Maximum Output Level Adjustment
(page 13)
AC inlet and power switch
(page 9)
RI GHT

10
Connecting to AC Power
Check to make sure your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player has been
manufactured for operation at your AC line voltage. Attempting to use
your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player at any voltage other than that specified on
the rear of the unit may cause damage that is not covered by Wadia’s
warranty.
Using AC Line Conditioners
Of the wide range of power line conditioners currently available, some
can provide substantial improvement in sound while others actually
degrade sonic performance. Use caution in selecting a power line
conditioner for your system. In particular, avoid using inexpensive “surge
protectors”. Although these can prevent damage from high voltage
spikes, they often degrade performance.
Leaving the AC power on
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is designed to be able to have the AC power
on with no harm or wear to the unit. To reduce wear and power
consumption, all motors and laser circuitry turn off when the unit stops
playing. Leaving the power on allows the circuitry to remain at a
constant operating temperature, providing better performance and
longer life. However, there is always a slight increase in risk of fire or
damage to any electrical component when the power is left on. We
leave the decision to leave the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player powered to the
individual owner.
Break-in and warm-up
Careful listeners will notice that the sound of the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player
improves steadily after the unit is powered-up. A new unit will undergo
more dramatic changes when power is applied for the first time.
Depending on the resolution of the system and the attentiveness of the
listener, you may find that the sound continues to improve over the first
several weeks of operation. If the power is disconnected for a period of
an hour or more, the unit will undergo similar but less dramatic break-in.

11
Questions about Connecting the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player
To help you decide the best way to connect the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player
to your system, read the following list of question asked by Wadia
owners:
Direct-Connect™ or Pre-Amplifier?
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is designed to produce excellent
performance in systems with or without preamplifiers. However, in many
systems a preamplifier is unnecessary when using your Wadia 3
33
302 CD
Player. The Direct Connect technology incorporated into the Wadia
3
33
302 CD Player provides all the necessary control functions of a
preamplifier while the signal is still in the digital domain. This avoids the
sonic degradation caused by analog circuitry, switches, and wire. The
Direct-Connect output stage can drive any power amplifier and any
interconnects, even very long lengths. Many listeners are surprised by
the improvement in performance compared to even the most
expensive preamplifiers. Even if you purchased your Wadia 3
33
302 CD
Player with the intention of connecting it through a preamplifier, we
suggest that you experiment with direct connection to your amplifier.
Does Direct-Connect™ compromise performance with a preamplifier?
Although we encourage listeners to bypass their preamplifier, the
Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is not compromised in any way when used with a
preamplifier. The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player performs all preamplifier
functions such as input selection and volume control in the digital
domain. As a result, there is no circuitry associated with Direct-Connect
that affects the audio performance. The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player offers
uncompromised performance in systems with and without
preamplifiers.
How should I connect Analog Sources?
To use analog sources in a system using Wadia’s Direct Connect
system, Wadia has introduced the Wadia 130 and 150 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.

12
Bypassing the Wadia Digital Volume Control
Unlike conventional volume controls, there is absolutely no circuitry in
the analog signal path of the Wadia Digital Volume Control -- no
passive parts, switch contacts, resistors, or even circuit board traces.
The Wadia Digital Volume Control operates in the digital domain; it
comprises one computer-programming step in the Wadia’s digital filter
algorithm.
If you are connecting the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player to a preamplifier or
amplifier with volume control integrated, you can set the Wadia 3
33
302
CD Player volume control to the maximum level (99) and achieve full
resolution.
Connecting Directly to an Amplifier
To connect your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player to a power amplifier, ensure that
your power amplifier is turned off, and then connect your analog
interconnects from the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player balanced or unbalanced
analog outputs to the amplifier’s inputs.
Connecting to a Preamplifier
To connect the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player, simply connect the balanced or
unbalanced analog outputs from the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player to a pair of
line-level inputs on the preamplifier.
When using a preamplifier, turn the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player volume
control to its maximum volume (99).

13
Adjusting the Maximum Output Voltage
The Maximum Output Voltage is the output voltage when the volume
control is set to maximum setting (99). The Maximum Output Voltage is
factory set to 4.0 V on the balanced output and 2.0 V on the
unbalanced output. You can adjust the Maximum Output Voltage on
the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player to match your system by setting the two small
switches on the rear panel as shown in the table below.
Switch Settings Maximum Output Voltage
Switch 1 Switch 2 Unbalanced Output Balanced Output
Attenuation
Level
up up 4.0V 8.0V +6 dB
up* down* 2.0V* 4.0V* 0 dB*
down up 1.0V 2.0V -6 dB
down down 0.5V 1.0V -12 dB
*Factory setting
The Maximum Output Level is factory set to match the majority of
audio systems. However, you may want to adjust the Maximum Output
Voltage under two circumstances.
First, if you are connecting the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player to a preamplifier,
you may find that other components in your system, such as
phonograph or tuner, play either louder or softer than the Wadia 3
33
302
CD Player. In this case, adjust the Maximum Output Level so the
volume of the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player more closely matches the level of
your other source components.
Second, if you are connecting the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player directly to your
amplifier, you may need to adjust the Maximum Output Voltage to
match the sensitivity of your amplifier or speakers. The Wadia Digital
Volume Control performs best when operated in the top one-third of its
range, (67 or higher). If you find that you listen often with the digital
volume set lower than 50, reduce the Maximum Output Voltage so that
the digital volume control is set higher during normal listening.
If you have unusually inefficient loudspeakers or a low-gain amplifier,
you may find that the output of the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is too low and
that even at a volume setting of 99 the sound level is not loud enough.
In this case, increase the Maximum Output Voltage.

14
Infrared Input and Pass-through
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is equipped with a pair of 1/8" mini-plug
infrared (IR) pass-through jacks. The IR pass-through jacks can be used
with an IR receiver/transmitter system to send remote control
commands directly to the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player. This may be useful for
example, if the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is located outside the field of view
of your listening position.
Optional Digital Inputs
Digital inputs are available as an option on the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player.
The digital inputs allow you to connect other digital sources and
receive the benefits of Wadia’s decoding performance. The Wadia 3
33
302
CD Player Digital Input card has the following inputs:
Input 1: Glass-fiber optical
Input 2: Coaxial with BNC connector
Input 3: Coaxial with BNC connector
Input 4: Plastic-optical TOSLINK
All inputs automatically adjust to any of the standard digital-audio
data-rates from 32 to 96 kHz.
Digital Output
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is equipped with one digital output to allow
the internal CD transport to feed another component, such as a digital
recording device. The digital output is a S/PDIF signal on a high-quality
BNC jack.

15
Choosing a Digital Cable
For maximum performance we recommend using an ST glass-optical
cable, which can be purchased from your Wadia dealer, for any
digital audio connections. Wadia Digital was the first company to use
glass fiber-optic data-transmission in digital audio and we believe that
it offers the best performance of all the available options. Based on our
experience, here is a list of digital interface methods in descending
order of performance:
1. ST-type Glass optical (as implemented by Wadia, with high
quality glass-optical cable)
2. AES/EBU using XLR connector
3. Coaxial S/PDIF cable using BNC connector
4. Coaxial S/PDIF cable using RCA connector
5. TOSLINK plastic-optical cable
The quality of any of these transmission methods depends on the
quality of the cable and the sophistication of the transmitter and
receiver. For example, a high-quality coaxial S/PDIF cable can
outperform a low-quality AES/EBU cable. A high-quality AES/EBU cable
may outperform a poorly implemented glass-optical system.
If you are using a coaxial S/PDIF connection, we recommend having
the cable terminated with a BNC connector. This will provide higher
performance than an RCA connector. Your Wadia 3
33
302 CD input kit
comes with an RCA/BNC adapter that can be used for experimentation
between different types of coaxial S/PDIF cables.
Again, we highly recommend that you take advantage of your dealer’s
experience and, most importantly, trust your ears.
Connecting to the Digital Inputs or Output
To connect to either the digital inputs or output of the Wadia 3
33
302 CD
Player, simply connect the appropriate digital input or output to the
outboard component.

16
Operation ______________________
This section describes how to operate the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player.
Front Panel Display and Controls
Below is an illustration of the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player front panel display
and controls. Refer to the table on page 17 for information on each
control.

17
Remote Control
Below is an illustration of the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player remote control. Refer
to the table on the following page for information about each
command.

18
Operation Commands
Shown below is a table of all the controls on the front panel and the
remote to operate your Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player. Refer to the page
number noted for more information about each command.
Command Icon Description
Control
Location Page
Open/Close
Open or close
loading drawer
Front panel and
remote 19
Play
To begin playing
disc
Front panel and
remote 19
Stop Stop playing
Front panel and
remote 19
Pause Pause playing
Front panel and
remote 19
Skip forward
Move to next
track
Front panel and
remote 19
Skip back
Move to
beginning of
current track
Front panel and
remote 19
Skip back
(repeated)
Move to
beginning of
previous tracks
Front panel and
remote 19
1-10 (key pad)
Select tracks or
program Remote only 19
>10
Select tracks
with track
numbers greater
than ten. Remote only 19
Volume
Up/Down
Increase or
decrease
playback level
Front panel and
remote 19
Mute Mute output Remote only 20
Input
Select internal
CD transport or
external digital
inputs Remote only 20
Invert
Invert output
180º Remote only 20
Repeat
Repeat disc or
program Remote only 20
Single
Play a single
track Remote only 21
Program
Used to create
program Remote only 21
Check
Used to check
program Remote only 21
Delete
Used to delete
track from
program Remote only 21
Clear
Used to clear
program Remote only 21
Enter
Available for
future upgrades Remote only 21

19
OPEN/CLOSE
Pressing the OPEN/CLOSE key causes the disc-loading drawer to either
open or close. You can also close the drawer by gently pushing on the
drawer front, or by pressing PLAY or SKIP FORWARD.
PLAY
Pressing PLAY causes the unit to begin playing. If the drawer is open,
pressing PLAY will close the drawer before playing begins.
STOP
Pressing STOP causes the disc to stop playing.
PAUSE
Pressing PAUSE suspends playing until play is pressed, or until pause is
pressed again. Playing will resume at the same point on the CD where
the pause button was pressed.
SKIP FORWARD/SKIP BACK
Pressing these keys skips to the next or previous track. SKIP FORWARD
always moves to the next track. However, the function of the SKIP BACK
key is different. If a CD is playing, pressing SKIP BACK once will return to
the beginning of the current track. Pressing SKIP BACK repeatedly will
select the previous tracks. If the CD is not playing, then pressing SKIP
BACK will move to the previous track.
Direct Access Keypad
Use the direct access keypad to move directly to any track on the disc.
For track numbers greater than 10, use the >10 key to set the first digit
and then one of the number keys for the second digit.
VOLUME UP/DOWN
Pressing these keys increases or decreases volume by 0.5 dB for each
time the key is pressed. The two-digit LED on the front panel indicates
the volume level, with a range of 0-99. When the volume is set to zero
the output is muted. Volume level of 01 is –50dB from maximum
output, and each successive step increases the output by ½ dB until
maximum output is reached and the display indicates 99.

20
MUTE
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player has two mute modes that are automatically
implemented under different circumstances.
1. Software Mute: When the MUTE key is pressed on the remote
control, the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player DSP engine transmits a stream of
zero signal-level samples to the DAC section, which results in zero
output.
2. Relay Mute: The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player has mute relay connected
between the positive and negative outputs. When this relay is
engaged, 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 under any of the following three
conditions:
• Each time the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player power switch is turned on.
• When the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player detects AC input level below
its minimum operating range.
• When the volume control is set to zero AND the MUTE key on
the remote control is pressed.
When the Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player is in either software or relay mute, the
Mute indicator on the front panel will illuminate. Note that the CD will
continue playing even when the output is muted.
INPUT
The Wadia 3
33
302 CD Player can be configured with four optional digital
inputs (See section on Optional Inputs). Each time the INPUT key is
pressed, the next input is selected. For example, if you are listening to
the internal CD drive, and you press the INPUT, Input 1 will be selected.
Press it again, and Input 2 will be selected and so on. After Input 4, the
list will begin again with the internal CD drive.
INVERT
Pressing the INVERT key on the remote control will cause the Wadia 3
33
302
CD Player to invert phase; pressing it again will switch the phase back
to normal. When the phase is inverted, the INVERT indicator on the front
panel will illuminate.
REPEAT
Pressing the REPEAT key will repeat the entire disc, program, or single
track continuously. Pressing it a second time will stop repeating. The
repeat mode is indicated by the front panel display.