KJ West One hosted an exclusive event at their London West End store, celebrating their 60th anniversary with an incredible all-singing, all-dancing WADAX ATLANTIS REFERENCE system, showcasing the peak of the company's pursuit for sound performance - Level VIII - for the first time in Europe.

Wadax was in attendance in more than just equipment, with CEO Javier Guadalajara introducing the system and speaking about the ethos that drives the company forward. Attended by KJ West One’s most valued customers, champagne in hand and music at the centre, it was ultimately a shared moment between people who live and breathe music. In this case: music delivered in spectacular fashion.

There are levels to this game

Arriving from Madrid just in time despite a delayed flight, Wadax CEO Javier Guadalajara spoke passionately about what drives him and his company. For Wadax, digital playback is not something static. It is a journey, a constant search for new ways to elevate music and deepen the listener’s connection to it. It is clear that one question haunts him constantly: How do we take this to the next level? Answering that question again and again over decades has led Wadax to the Level VIII setup that stood before us this evening.

Wadax Audio Performance Levels 1 - 8

Before even discussing sound, it’s worth taking a moment to appreciate just how stunning these components look. There is something satisfyingly Matrix-like about their design. It also feels like you’ve opened up the bonnet of a supercar (indeed the design takes inspiration from the racing world) and you are filled with anticipation about the kind of musical power that will be unleashed when the system gets going.

The System

The complete Wadax Atlantis Reference Level VIII system was in place for the evening, paired with Magico M7 loudspeakers. The digital front end included the ATLANTIS REFERENCE DAC, Server, PSU, Transport, and Transport PSU, all connected via Wadax’s proprietary AKASA cabling. Amplification was provided by the Soulution 7 series, chosen for its transparency and ability to let the Wadax components show their full character — in other words — allowing the musicians to show their full character.

The DAC itself is a remarkable piece of engineering, with 23 separate PCBs, 10 transformers, and over 5,500 discrete parts in a fully dual-mono configuration. The system also used solid silver AKASA DC Reference cables between the PSU, Transport, Server, and DAC—cables that took years of development on their own.

Even seemingly trivial details receive exhaustive research. The modular CD dampers, for instance, are offered in different materials, allowing subtle variations in playback. This is more than a technical flourish—it reflects Wadax’s belief that digital can and should be experienced as a tactile, physical medium, closer in spirit to vinyl than to computer hardware. As Javier put it, data isn’t just data; the way information is handled through each stage of the system can profoundly change how music feels. For a company focused on digital sources, everything about Wadax has a deeply human, analogue spirit.

As notable as these technical achievements are, the point of the demonstration was not engineering in isolation. Instead, it was to show how such detail translates into effortless, emotionally direct sound.

Music at the centre

The heart and soul of the evening was music. This is where the philosophies of Wadax and KJ West One converge completely.

Jason Ford, a core member of the KJ team and an avid music collector, made this very clear. Technology is just a means to an end, important only insofar as it affects the ultimate experience of enjoying the music you love. He brought along some of his impressive CD collection, including limited edition gold CDs that are more resistant to degradation over time and in many cases benefit from K2 HD Mastering. In short, some of the best CDs to demo a system of this calibre. From the performance to the production, from the source to the speakers, this was true love of music being demonstrated at every single stage, and a serious challenge to anyone who may have doubts about the “soul” of digital.

One standout moment came with Elton John’s Talking Old Soldiers from Tumbleweed Connection. The system rendered the song with an intimacy and presence that left the room awe-struck. Guests remarked that it felt less like hearing a recording, let alone a CD, and more like being in the space with Elton himself.

The KJ team—Roman, Jason, and Sebastian—had a chance to speak on camera about the history of KJ West One, and the philosophy that underpins their collective approach. They spoke not of brands or specifications, but of trust and musicality—two qualities that have shaped KJ’s place in the high-end audio world for six decades. This philosophy mirrors that of Wadax: a focus on music as the guiding force, with technology always in service of it.

The evening left a lasting impression. The Wadax ATLANTIS REFERENCE Level VIII system demonstrated what it means to continually push digital playback closer to the spirit of live music, while KJ West One reminded everyone why it has remained a trusted institution for 60 years. The event was, in the end, not so much about gear, technicalities or milestones, but about the joy of music shared among people who truly love listening to it.

Big thanks to all who took this unique opportunity to hear Wadax at its (current) best!

Now we are just left to wonder: how will they take it to Level 9?