Works with
iPhone
iPad
Made for
iPod touch (Gen1 through Gen4)
IPod classic (80GB, 120GB, & 160GB)
iPod with Video, also known as
5th generation (30GB, 60GB & 80GB)
Extended Interface*
iPod nano (Gen1 through Gen6)
Extended Interface*Works with
iPhone
iPad
Made for
iPod touch (Gen1 through Gen4)
IPod classic (80GB, 120GB, & 160GB)
iPod with Video, also known as
5th generation (30GB, 60GB & 80GB)
Extended Interface*
iPod nano (Gen1 through Gen6)
Extended Interface*
Technical Specifications
Digital Outputs:
Coaxial S/PDIF (RCA)
Toslink Optical
Video Outputs:
Component Video (RCA)
Power Consumption:
6 Watts
Finish:
Black Powder Coated Aluminum
Dimensions (HWD):
2.7 x 8 x 8 in., 6.86 x 20.32 x 20.32 cm
Weight:
2.42 lb., 1.1 kg
What’s in the Box
171iTransport
Full size remote control
iPhone/iPad Digital Interface Cable
Coaxial Digital Cable
Dock Adapters
Power Supply
User Guide
The 171i is called a transport.
According to the Wadia site, a transport is the digital link between a media source such as an iPod, a computer, or a musical disc, and your home audio system. What it does, basically, is to make it possible to connect your iPhone/iPod/iPad to your stereo and provide ir remote control along the way. Its special trick though, the one that sets it aside from other such devices, it its ability to extract the digital signal straight from the i-device whereas formerly it was only possible to extract analog audio. Needless to say, the iPod/iPhone/iPad's built in dacs are fine, but no match for a proper audio player and the resultant sound from the analog output does indeed lack dynamics, colour, substance and is generally just not up to scratch. The digital signal on the other hand promises bit-accurate sound output and this is why the Wadia Transport is said to rival some top performing digital source components.
The 171i doesn't differ too much from the 170i: the same case and the same specs, but what is different lies within, and on the backside.
The power supply has been improved with better parts, the clock has been improved and is now more accurate and there's now a Toslink optical output in addition to the coaxial output. The latter, incidentally, has been improved as well, with a better quality and beefier looking connector.
What's changed too is are the video outputs. Whereas before there were component outputs as well as S-video, there are now only component outputs.
The improvements to the power supply aren't visible by looking at the small outboard supply, that unit only down converts the power. It is on the inside of the 171i that the regulation takes place. Lastly, there's a small change to the front which isn't immediately noticeable: the IR sensor now has an integrated status led so that you can tell whether the unit is on or off.
The unit works as advertised and is very quick to recognize a connected device. It is like connecting the digital cable from a cd player from one dac to another: as soon as it is connected you can play music. It is that quick. Also, once installed into the cradle, or connected to the cable, you can operate the iPhone/iPod/iPad via infrared remote control, but you can also still operate the i-device via its touchscreen display. Once connected, the i-device's battery is charged as an added bonus.
