Overview
We had the opportunity to listen to Rockna’s flagship Wavedream transport and DAC several months back and was floored but the meticulous presentation of this combo. Rockna may be a boutique manufacturer in all things digital but that combo we heard, might as well be a combo from dCS or Esoteric if we did a blindfolded listening test. The Wavelight you see here enjoys many of the same attributes of the Wavedream but at one quarter the price. It may be a tapered down version of the no expense spared Wavedream but if you don’t mind making small sacrifices, the Wavelight is almost equal to the task on hand at a much more affordable price point. Like the Wavedream, it is embellished with state of the art hardware. Digital processing is 24 bit/ 192 kHz with SPDIF, AES/EBU and Toslink and 384 kHz with USB and I2S inputs. DSD is available on all the inputs. Being software driven/controlled the Wavelight is future proofed because any new developments or upgrades can easily be updated on to the DAC. Compared to our former resident reference DAC in the store, the dCS Debussy, the Wavelight offered better resolution, had a slightly more organic, warmer overtones and a more precise soundstage layout. With a single pair of analog inputs, the Wavelight can also act as a preamp to another source unit which makes this the more flexible choice. Built quality and finish is as good as any of the high end manufacturers out there. The entire case is a solid aluminum structure that makes it look like a distant cousin to the Debussy but cost thousands less.
Cosmetically, the unit is in near min condition. One owner from new. We have the original box and manual for it. It does not come with a remote control but instead an app you can download to your smartphone and control it from there. Unit is currently set for 110V but can be jumpered to 220V by following the instructions in the manual. Installed inside is a Synergistic Research Orange fuse, a $160 value!
