Spanish manufacturer WADAX has announced its new Studio DAC Collection, which will be presented during High End Vienna 2026.
WADAX describes itself as a luxury audio brand dedicated to innovation and the pursuit of the most realistic musical playback from digital sources. Visitors to High End Vienna this week will be able to experience the new Studio DAC Collection in Room -2.82 at the Austria Center Vienna, home of one of the world’s leading audio exhibitions.
The Studio DAC Collection builds upon the concept first introduced with the company’s Studio Player Collection. The Studio Player architecture has now been divided into two dedicated components: the Studio DAC and the Studio Transport. According to WADAX, this modular approach provides a higher-performance upgrade path within the Studio ecosystem while maintaining compatibility with existing products such as the Studio Clock, Studio PSU and Akasa DC cables.
Studio DAC
At the heart of the new collection is the Studio DAC, a next-generation digital-to-analogue converter that inherits the core streaming functionality of the Studio Player while introducing new technologies aimed at improving resolution, musicality and system flexibility.
The new mono DAC modules employ RAXA™ technology, an evolved DAC topology developed by WADAX to deliver lower noise, greater speed, improved harmonic rendering and a wider, even more immersive soundstage. According to the manufacturer, these improvements combine to provide “a unique musical and emotional rendering from digital audio content.”
Built-in headphone amplifier
For the first time, WADAX is also bringing its proprietary musIC process to headphone listeners. The Studio DAC includes a new headphone output stage designed to drive any headphone on the market. Both a standard headphone output and a fully balanced 4-pin XLR connection are provided.
The Studio DAC offers extensive digital connectivity, including AES, BNC, RCA and Toslink inputs. Modern streaming platforms are also supported, including Qobuz Connect, TIDAL Connect, Spotify Connect, Roon Ready, UPnP, Audirvana, JPLAY and Apple AirPlay. An Akasa Optical connection is included as well, providing compatibility with the new Studio Transport and future Studio products.
Studio Transport
The new Studio Transport has been designed as a dedicated CD/SACD transport. It incorporates technology derived from the flagship WADAX Reference Transport and also features the Akasa Optical connection for integration with the Studio DAC.
Its optical reading mechanism, THORstudio with DWC technology, has been developed to bring WADAX’s expertise in digital disc playback to the Studio Collection.
Javier Guadalajara, Founder and CEO of WADAX, explains:
“With the Studio DAC Collection, we are expanding the Studio concept into a more flexible and scalable architecture. By separating the DAC and transport into dedicated products and adding our latest know-how and technologies, we give music lovers a new way to experience digital playback with greater precision, realism, and emotional connection. This collection reflects our belief that digital technology, when pursued without compromise, can bring us closer to the essence of music.”
The Studio DAC Collection has been conceived as a scalable ecosystem offering ten performance levels, from Level I through Level X. This allows users to gradually build and upgrade their systems using the Studio DAC, Studio Transport, Studio Clock, Studio PSU and Akasa DC cable solutions.
Pricing
- Studio DAC: $42,950
- Studio Transport: $39,500
Prices exclude local taxes, VAT and import duties.
An official presentation of the Studio DAC Collection will take place on Friday, June 5, at 11:30 a.m. in Room -2.82.