PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC...
Just picked it up today and will integrate it into my rig sometime tomorrow. This will be replacing all three of my disc sources as I will be going to a server based setup for my digital music. Anyone have experience with this DAC?
The Gear... Carver "Statement" Mono-blocks, TriangleArt Reference SE with PS Audio NuWave Phono converter, Walker Precision Motor Drive, ClearAudio Stradivari v2 cartridge and Origin Conquerer Mk3c tonearm, Polk Audio "Signature" Reference Series 1.2TL with complete mods, Pass Labs X1 two channel preamplifier Signed by Poppa himself, PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MkII, Krell Evolution 525a CD Player, Pioneer Elite SC-65, Oppo UDP-205 Blu-ray , Sony XBR70x850B 4k, Polk audio AB700/800 "in-wall" surrounds
1
Comments
Theater: Denon 3808 - B&K 7500/Emotiva XPA-3- RTi12, CSi5, RTiA7x4, PSW505
Sleeping: Marantz 70005 - Harman Kardon 2400 - SDA 2
2 Channel: Cary 306 SACD - Canary Audio 906 - Pass Labs x250 - PS Audio Perfectwave DAC, Polk LSiM705, SVS SB13 Ultra
Office: Dell Optiplex, Emotiva XDA-2, Adcom 5500, LSiM 703
Spares: Yamaha CA-810; LSi 15; Kenwood Basic M2a, Yamaha M60/M80, Polk Monitor 7, SVS SB13 Ultra
I use a PS Audio Bridge I in each of these -- two are on my LAN, which includes a Synology NAS that I use for most of my listening.
The PS Audio Bridge I has a problem with gaps in playback, which are annoying, but not totally "disqualifying."
Because of the above problem, I intend to upgrade to the Bridge II, and if you plan to use a bridge, I advise you to use the Bridge II.
As far as the SQ of the MK II DAC is concerned, I think it is excellent. It was a very pronounced improvement over my Cambridge Audio Azur 840C, which had very good SQ.
One feature I value in my PerfectWave DACs is the variety of inputs. I use them all -- USB from my laptop, coax from my iPod docks, Toslink from my TV, I2S from my PerfectWave Transport, Ethernet from my LAN/NAS.
Happy listening!
Exercise Room, Wadia 171 iPod Dock, PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC, AQ Sky XLRs, Perreaux SM6 Preamp, AQ King Cobra RCAs, Perreaux PMF3150 Amp, Dreadnought, Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables, SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers).
Synology 713+ NAS on Gigabit LAN serving PW MkII DAC & DirectStream DAC.
My turntable will also be getting the boot in favor of a more modest unit, as I can't justify 20k in gear just sitting around and looking pretty.
Speakers: Harbeth: P3ESR, 30.2, SHL5+; Usher: CP-6311, Be-10, T-515; Rosso Fiorentino: Elba, Fiesole, Volterra; Polk: T50, Signature S60, S55, S35, S30, S20, S15, RTA 15tl, Sonner Audio Allegro Unum
Preamps: Shuguang S200MK, Dayens Ampino, Parasound P5
Amps: Shuguang S845MK, Dayens Ampino Monoblocks, Parasound A23
Integrateds: Dayens Ampino, Triode Corporation TRV-88SER, MastersounD: Dueventi, Compact 845, Evolution 845; North Star Design Blue Diamond
Sources: AURALiC Aries, AURALiC Altair, Denon HEOS Link, North Star Design: Magnifico, Supremo, Incanto, Intenso, Venti
Cabling: Wireworld
TV: Sony XBR-75X940C
Maybe, but then factor in convenience of having all the music you own at your fingertips digitally....... = win
Check with the music room (TMR) on the Gon, that’s where I recently picked up mine in silver ... factory refurb PWT approx 1K, with warranty
Also, about a year ago PS Audio had a fire sale on P10 AC regenerators ..I’m just wondering if something else is coming down the pike
I know the P20 is coming out soon . . .
With the DSD in full production, the PWD is out of date ... I predict another fire sale
PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Rears Definitive Technology BP-2
Center Definitive Technology C-1
Pre/Pro Integra DHC 40.1
Pre Cary SLP-98 Hot Rod
LCD Samsung LN46B750
Source Oppo 105
PS Audio AC-12
Wires MIT S3.3
Staging is so good that I have walked up to my center channel, thinking somehow it was on. Imaging is absolutely fantastic.
Not to derail, but .... please comment on the PWD vs the DSD
Does the DirectStream smoke the older versions? or just different? TY
PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Rears Definitive Technology BP-2
Center Definitive Technology C-1
Pre/Pro Integra DHC 40.1
Pre Cary SLP-98 Hot Rod
LCD Samsung LN46B750
Source Oppo 105
PS Audio AC-12
Wires MIT S3.3
I have each of the DACs in a totally different system in totally different environments, and I never did an A-to-B comparison of the DSD with either of the earlier versions.
The upgradable firmware of the DSD is definitely and advantage. Over the versions that have already been released I have experienced significant improvements -- albeit that it is often difficult for me to distinguish "different" from "better" in an objective way.
I do recall that when I installed the DSD, my wife and I both felt that the improvement was worth the investment, but I have to say that I am pleased with the performance of both the MK I and the MK II in my other systems.
Sorry that I can't be more definitive, but it has been awhile since I replaced the MK II with the DSD in my main system. As I said above, about all I can remember is that my wife and agreed that it was a sound (pun intended) investment!
Exercise Room, Wadia 171 iPod Dock, PS Audio PerfectWave MkII DAC, AQ Sky XLRs, Perreaux SM6 Preamp, AQ King Cobra RCAs, Perreaux PMF3150 Amp, Dreadnought, Supra Rondo 4x2.5 Speaker Cables, SDA 1Cs (Vr3 Mods Xovers).
Synology 713+ NAS on Gigabit LAN serving PW MkII DAC & DirectStream DAC.
My PWT has made a great improvement in SQ (over my Oppo 105)
Then I upgraded to a separate DAC, procured thru Skip.
I started with the entry level North Star Intenso, that sounded great. Then upgraded to the Supremo . . . very very nice SQ. Full, robust, wide sound stage. Deep base, too.
I've only used it w/ redbook CDs, so far.
The Intenso never had a chance to break-in and the Supremo is breaking-in as I write this . . .
PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Rears Definitive Technology BP-2
Center Definitive Technology C-1
Pre/Pro Integra DHC 40.1
Pre Cary SLP-98 Hot Rod
LCD Samsung LN46B750
Source Oppo 105
PS Audio AC-12
Wires MIT S3.3
PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Rears Definitive Technology BP-2
Center Definitive Technology C-1
Pre/Pro Integra DHC 40.1
Pre Cary SLP-98 Hot Rod
LCD Samsung LN46B750
Source Oppo 105
PS Audio AC-12
Wires MIT S3.3
Assuming PST equates to PS Audio Transport . . .
Conventional acronym is PWT
Believe you me… It does get confusing!
All I can say is my PWT (PerfectWave Transport) experience is very limited but it was night and day difference over the Oppo,
Long short, yes!
I feel it was worth the 1K factory refurbished with one year warranty
Disclaimer: I’ve done nothing with it except spin Redbooks and she still being run-in
PS Audio PerfectWave Power Plant 10
Rears Definitive Technology BP-2
Center Definitive Technology C-1
Pre/Pro Integra DHC 40.1
Pre Cary SLP-98 Hot Rod
LCD Samsung LN46B750
Source Oppo 105
PS Audio AC-12
Wires MIT S3.3