wyred 4sound dac2 vs peachtree nova

dhart86
dhart86 Posts: 1,594
edited July 2011 in Electronics
Alright guys.....I really need your input and I need it asap
I am deciding between a dac2 and peachtree nova. They are both dac/pre amp capable..(which I need) The nova also has a headphone amp (which I'll also need). The both have Sabre Ess Dac albiet different versions. In priority order ..my desire my needs are
1. good dac
2. good pre
3 decent headphone amp (not deal breaker)
4 I like tubes (nova has 6922)

Even though Nova has the 6922 tube, my research of user reviews, uncover that the sonics are not much different when the tube is on or when off.

I can get the Nova for $300 less than the Dac2.
Really want a good dac......but if they are close enough I may go with the Nova

What do you guys think? Gotta pull the trigger tomorrow am
Thanks
Main Rig:
Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


Second Rig:
Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


Post edited by dhart86 on
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Comments

  • fbm211
    fbm211 Posts: 1,488
    edited July 2011
    Is there anyway you could audition them both.Im not sure of anyplace off hand but some places will allow you to do so.Or are you buying used.?
    SDA-2BTL with custom IC
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited July 2011
    fbm211 wrote: »
    Is there anyway you could audition them both.Im not sure of anyplace off hand but some places will allow you to do so.Or are you buying used.?

    Can't audition. I am buying online both are open-box items
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited July 2011
    Here are some of my thoughts I posted a while back..

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?t=118320
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited July 2011
    Jason,
    thanks for the thread!!! That was exactly what I needed. Nice review BTW.
    I usually trust Face as well and I see he made the progression from Nova to Dac2. Good enough 4 me
    Thanks
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited July 2011
    not a problem, and thanks =)

    Jason
    2-Channel - So far...
    Pre: Dodd ELP
    DAC: W4S-Dac2
    Source(s): Computer and Denon 2910
    Amp: Parasound HCA-1200II
    Speakers: LSi9s - Vr3 Fortress Mod
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited July 2011
    Another option is Burson's DAC/Headphone amp. As a headphone amp the unit sounds fantastic. As a standalone DAC/PRE, the two units sound very similar, but I preferred the W4S due to it's additional features and slightly better bass.
    "He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster. And when you gaze long into an abyss the abyss also gazes into you." Friedrich Nietzsche
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  • 98Badger
    98Badger Posts: 317
    edited July 2011
    I compared both DAC's within the last year. The Peachtree was a nice piece of gear, but didn't quite do it for me. The tube muddied things up when it was turned on. I preferred the W4S all the way and that's what I ended up buying. It just sounded cleaner, more dynamic and had better bass control. To me, it would be worth the price difference. Just my opinion of course.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited July 2011
    The W4S rocks. I can't tell you anything about the Peachtree, all I can tell you is that if you get the DAC2 there's no way you're unhappy with it.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited July 2011
    Thanks all......I'll be saving up for the Dac2. To bad you can't find these things on the used marked. But I guess I can figure out why!
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited July 2011
    nspindel wrote: »
    The W4S rocks. I can't tell you anything about the Peachtree, all I can tell you is that if you get the DAC2 there's no way you're unhappy with it.

    Just got the W4S Dac2 delivered this past weekend & ...Dang ! you boys are right. This dac rocks...I'm blown away right out the box! Currently using as a dac/pre. But I have a couple of questions.
    1. what is the purpose or use for the HT bypass inputs? How does one use these.

    2. I need a good recommendation on a USB cable. Do they make a great difference. Don't like to pay ridicules prices for cables, but would like a difference maker.

    Thanks
    Main Rig:
    Antipodes DX > Roon > PS Audio Directstream Jr.>deHavilland Ultraverve 3 >Belles Reference 150a >Harbeth C7 ES3


    Second Rig:
    Roon> PS Audio Directstream Jr Bridge II > EE Minimax pre (Tutay mods) >Belles 150A Ref >Monitor 5 (Westmassguy-modded)


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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited July 2011
    I think if you want to use the W4S in a system that also is HT, you can pass digital outs from a source through to another processor, that's doing your surround sound. So you can have a dvd player decoding a 2-channel audio disc on your W4S, but when you watch a movie you pass the digi signal through to a HT decoder.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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