Which DAC...

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  • Jason_k
    Jason_k Posts: 110
    edited February 2012
    I bought the W4S DAC 2. Very pleased with it.
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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited February 2012
    http://audioaficionado.org/general-audio-discussion/12413-ess-32bit-dacs-mcd1100-vs-wyred-4-sound-dac2.html
    "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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  • vcwatkins
    vcwatkins Posts: 1,993
    edited February 2012
    Yep, sounds lovely, I'm sure. But I'm struggling with the $1,000 upcharge. Will likely take the "cry twice" path.
    b]Beach Audio[/b]: Rega RP6 (mods) - AT33PTG/II - Parks Budgie SUT - PSAudio NPC * Eversolo DMP-A6 * Topping D90iii * Joule-Electra LA-100 mkIII * Pass Aleph 30 * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 2.3tl (mods) * PSAudio PPP3
    Beach Study: Pro-Ject Stream Box S2 Ultra & Pre Box S2 * Pass ACA * DH Labs SS Q10 * Brines Folded ML-TQWT RS 40-1354 * PSA Dectet
    Beach Master: WiiM Pro * Dayens Menuetto * Zu Libtec * Dynaudio Audience 50
    Beach Den: Bluesound Powernode 2i * DH Labs SS Q10 * Zu Omen DWII * Richard Gray RGPC
    Town Study: WiiM Pro * Chord Qute (Pardo) * Elekit TU-8600 * MIT S3 * Revel M22 * Beyer DT-990 * Shunyata Hydra 2
    Town Den: Music Hall mm5.1se - Denon DL-103r - Jolida JD9ii (mods) * WiiM Pro * Cary xCiter * Rogue 99 Magnum * Schiit Aegir * MIT S3 * Polk SRS 1.2tl (mods) * Dectet * Bottlehead Crack - Senn 600
    Town Porch: WiiM Pro Plus * Sunfire Sig II * Canare 4S11 * Magnepan 1.6 * Dectet
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited February 2012
    +1 for the Wyred4Sound DAC2. I've had it for a while and have been thrilled with it. I've yet to read anything from an unsatisfied owner. I bought it about a year ago and haven't looked back once. And it's an American company, remember!
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • markmarc
    markmarc Posts: 2,309
    edited February 2012
    The Sim Audio D100 is a definite finalist for the budget conscious audio fanatic.
    Review Site_ (((AudioPursuit)))
    Founder/Publisher Affordable$$Audio 2006-13.
    Former Staff Member TONEAudio
    2 Ch. System
    Amplifiers: Parasound Halo P6 pre, Vista Audio i34, Peachtree amp500, Adcom GFP-565 GFA-535ii, 545ii, 555ii
    Digital: SimAudio HAD230 DAC, iMac 20in/Amarra,
    Speakers: Paradigm Performa F75, Magnepan .7, Totem Model 1's, ACI Emerald XL, Celestion Si Stands. Totem Dreamcatcher sub
    Analog: Technics SL-J2 w/Pickering 3000D, SimAudio LP5.3 phono pre
    Cable/Wires: Cardas, AudioArt, Shunyata Venom 3
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  • audiocr381ve
    audiocr381ve Posts: 2,588
    edited February 2012
    nspindel wrote: »
    +1 for the Wyred4Sound DAC2. I've had it for a while and have been thrilled with it. I've yet to read anything from an unsatisfied owner. I bought it about a year ago and haven't looked back once. And it's an American company, remember!

    If I had your budget, I'd be all over the Wyred4Sound DAC2.
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  • Beta
    Beta Posts: 267
    edited February 2012
    +1 for the Wyred 4 Sound DACs.

    I used a W4S DAC 2 in my rig for a year and found it to be a stellar performer. I use horn loaded speakers. In an effort to take the "edge" off, I was running my DAC 2 through a Audio Horizons TB 5.1cv tube buffer with Siemens E83CC tubes.

    I must admit, the sonics were superb. The downside was that I had too many cables in my system. I was running a pair of MIT Shotgun S1.3s from the DAC 2 to the tube buffer and then a pair of S1.3s from the tube buffer to a Parasound Halo JC 2 preamp and then a pair of S1s from my preamp to my tube amp.

    I recently moved out the DAC 2, JC 2 and Audio Horizons pieces and acquired a Peachtree Audio Grand Pre preamp. Since the Grand Pre has a built in DAC, I now only have three ICs in my rig. I run a Wadia iTransport to the Grand Pre via an MIT Magnum Digital IC and I run a pair of S1.3 ICs from the Grand Pre to my tube amp.

    This simplification and elimination a cabling has made a significant positive improvement. I owe a debt of gratitude to one of our forum members for politely nudging me towards moving to a rig with less cabling.

    I have been running the Grand Pre in my system for about a month now. The W4S DAC 2 is a great DAC. However, to my ears, as far as overall performance goes (soundstage dimensionality and warmth), the Grand Pre beats my prior set up. This is with the stock tubes in the Grand Pre. I have ordered a pair of Genalex Gold Lion 12AX7 tubes. I can't wait to hear the result of rolling out the Grand Pre's stock tubes and replacing them with the Gold Lions.
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  • cstmar01
    cstmar01 Posts: 4,424
    edited February 2012
    Thanks for the info guys. Ill get a wyred dac2. I just bought a pair of tube mono blocks so I'm going to have those in the system for a little bit before I jump on a dac as well.

    I still like the PS pwd which is supposed to be close to the sound of the wyred so o figured I could save a little and go that route.
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited February 2012
    You will not look back after you get the Wyred. Built like a tank, sounds incredible, holds it's value, and American made.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2012
    I have had my DAC 2 since early December and it just sounds better and better. Has over 600 hours on it. I feed it into my tube preamp that does not support a remote, the DAC 2 remote work great but I never go above 45.

    Used a ps audio pc since day 1 and just added a hifi tuning supreme fuse. I was surprised to find a ceramic gold end fuse already in the DAC 2.

    I had a ps audio DAC iii for about a year.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • 98Badger
    98Badger Posts: 317
    edited February 2012
    cstmar01 wrote: »
    Thanks for the info guys. Ill get a wyred dac2. I just bought a pair of tube mono blocks so I'm going to have those in the system for a little bit before I jump on a dac as well.

    I still like the PS pwd which is supposed to be close to the sound of the wyred so o figured I could save a little and go that route.

    I've had the opportunity to compare the W4S and PWD head to head with the same gear. Sonics are nearly identical. The perfect wave does spread instruments over a wider soundstage. Both are excellent!
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited February 2012
    98Badger wrote: »
    I've had the opportunity to compare the W4S and PWD head to head with the same gear. Sonics are nearly identical. The perfect wave does spread instruments over a wider soundstage. Both are excellent!

    We're both dacs burned in? The DAC 2 does not come into its own until has 250-300 hours.
    Speakers: SDA-1C (most all the goodies)
    Preamp: Joule Electra LA-150 MKII SE
    Amp: Wright WPA 50-50 EAT KT88s
    Analog: Marantz TT-15S1 MBS Glider SL| Wright WPP100C Amperex BB 6er5 and 7316 & WPM-100 SUT
    Digital: Mac mini 2.3GHz dual-core i5 8g RAM 1.5 TB HDD Music Server Amarra (memory play) - USB - W4S DAC 2
    Cables: Mits S3 IC and Spk cables| PS Audio PCs
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  • W WALDECKER
    W WALDECKER Posts: 900
    edited February 2012
    I have the Eastern Electric Minimax with upgraded opp amps and a Acme Audio Labs siver fuse and i am very happy with it.
    Rogue Audio stereo 100 tube amplifier - Lector Zoe preamplifier with 6H30 pi's
    .Audience AU24SE speaker and ic cables- Chord Qutest DAC - Black Cat Silverstar II 75ohm digital cable-Tyler Acoustics Linbrook Signature system with large bass cabinets to accommodate 10" Seas magnesium woofers.2xhmpsuownoj.jpg
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  • rickrick37
    rickrick37 Posts: 10
    edited February 2012
    North Star DAC 32 with the best C/P value!
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