Sound quality

We used the 170i Transport with two varieties of iPod classic, a 120GB version of the current anodised finish model and its predecessor, a 5th-generation 80GB example. The latter was used because it's an MSB iLink-modified unit that works in both the Wadia and MSB docks and was used for comparison with that competitor.

Its a comparison which makes a good case for the extra cost of the MSB, in a high-end system the iLink is clearly a superior player and one which can hold its own against CD transports of like price. It has a more open sound, presents more image depth and is clearly more revealing, the 170i Transport seems thinner through the midband and the bass and while not short on grunt, does not go so far down.

With challenging material the Wadia struggles to maintain its poise in a highly revealing system, a job that the MSB is clearly more at home with. It's crucial to remember here that even if you include an iPod classic in the equation, the 170i Transport is a third the price of its competitor. On its own terms the Wadia does a remarkably revealing and entertaining job with both Apple Lossless and WAV files on the iPod.

Tord Gustavsen's Tears Transforming is as captivating as ever in emotional terms and a good deal of its image depth and 'air' is revealed thanks to plentiful detail. With WAV files it sounds smoother and the presentation takes the edge off less than pristine recordings, Gillian Welch's Time (The Revelator) can sound a little edgy when fully exposed, but the Wadia makes it easier on the ear.

A more meaningful comparison was made with Arcam's rDock (£150) an analogue-only dock that can be used with any line-equipped amplifier, which offers full remote control and full display with Arcam Solo components.

Pitting the two against one another using the analogue output reveals a difference that is not slight. The Wadia delivers greater transparency and solidity of sound that makes the rDock seem vague and lacking in resolution. Moving from the Wadia's analogue output over to the coax digital out and plugging this into a Russ Andrews DA-1 DAC represents another leap in quality. Now you have depth of image, precision, bass weight and shape that puts the iPod in hi-fi territory.

Alison Krauss sounds exquisite and her Union Station band positively sumptuous, it's not hard to hear why fellow reviewer Alvin Gold, among others, is so keen on this particular artist. Arguably, the most important test came when we brought in a well-regarded CD player to compare as a transport.

As it consistently performs well, we used a cambridge 840c CD player and took its coaxial digital output to the DA-1 DAC to keep the playing field level. There is the option of taking the Wadia's output into the cambridge's digital input, but that would favour the disc spinner. Here the 170i Transport met its match, the cambridge turns in a slightly more relaxed and refined result that means you can hear more and play louder without discomfort. But given that the 840c is so well-regarded and more expensive, the difference is not that big.

The Wadia 170iTransport is a remarkable piece of kit. it sounds extremely good given that it works with a mass-market source and it can give a fully badged-up CD player a run for its money. If you already have a compatible iPod and fancy using it as an audiophile music server this is the most affordable way to do it.

Anything that can turn such a popular device into a piece of hi-fi is impressive and this does a spectacular job for the price.

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