Anyone using a W4S Dac 2 ?

thsmith
thsmith Posts: 6,082
edited November 2011 in Electronics
Looking for feedback on this DAC. Likes, dislikes, wished you had bought something else? Ideally are using USB IF.
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
Post edited by thsmith on
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited November 2011
    There's a bunch of us that are using the W4S Dac-2 now I think. Face being the most eloquent of us I think. There are a number of random threads, I'll try and track down the few I started here in a bit.

    I really like mine, I only compared it to my old Peachtree Nova DAC, but thought the DAC-2 was superior. I'll have to find my thread so I don't mis-represent what over people and I thought =)

    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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  • heiney9
    heiney9 Posts: 25,396
    edited November 2011
    Did you search, I only ask because this subject has been debated a lot in the past 6 months. Lots of DAC threads and they all seem to mention this DAC.

    H9
    "Appreciation of audio is a completely subjective human experience. Measurements can provide a measure of insight, but are no substitute for human judgment. Why are we looking to reduce a subjective experience to objective criteria anyway? The subtleties of music and audio reproduction are for those who appreciate it. Differentiation by numbers is for those who do not".--Nelson Pass Pass Labs XA25 | EE Avant Pre | EE Mini Max Supreme DAC | MIT Shotgun S1 | Puritan Audio PSM136 Pwr Condtioner & Classic PC's | Legend L600 | Roon Nucleus 1 w/LPS - Tubes add soul!
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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited November 2011
    Here's my thread, this should get you started..

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?118320-Comparing-the-Peachtree-Nova-to-the-W4S-Dac-2-eek
    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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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited November 2011
    here's another big W4S DAC2 specific thread

    http://www.polkaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?119269-Wyred-4-Sound-DAC-2&highlight=wyred+dac
    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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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2011
    Thanks Punk- roc!

    I have searched and read many of the post on W4S but are a bit dated now and thought there may be more info since some people have 6+ months under their belt with this DAC.
    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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  • Face
    Face Posts: 14,340
    edited November 2011
    Still have it, like it, and am glad I didn't buy something else. Asynch USB works without a hitch.
    "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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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2011
    Thanks Face, ordered a new MAc Mini this weekend and real close to pulling the trigger on the DAC 2. Seems they hold their value as resell is close to MSRP and sell quickly.
    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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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited November 2011
    I love my DAC-2.. I still feel the same as I did when I got it broken in (and still loved it right out of the box). Not sure it's ever leaving my system..

    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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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2011
    Pulled the trigger today. I had a PS Audio DL III and from everything I have read the DAC 2 is a big step up.
    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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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    Do you know if there's a difference in SQ between the 1 and 2? Thinking about getting one to go along with the Squeezebox touch.
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  • Toolfan66
    Toolfan66 Posts: 17,980
    edited November 2011
    Love It!!! This is my first and only stand alone DAC so I can't give you much except it works wonderful and I have no desire to look at anything else right now..
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2011
    Toolfan66 wrote: »
    Love It!!! This is my first and only stand alone DAC so I can't give you much except it works wonderful and I have no desire to look at anything else right now..

    That's a great place to be. The weakest link will be me setting up the Mac mini.
    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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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2011
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Do you know if there's a difference in SQ between the 1 and 2? Thinking about getting one to go along with the Squeezebox touch.

    Not first hand but there are some cap differences and have read they sound a lot alike.
    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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  • punk-roc
    punk-roc Posts: 1,150
    edited November 2011
    Choosing the DAC-2 over the DAC-1 is due mostly for the asych USB input (which the DAC1 lacks if i remember correctly). If you are using other inputs the DAC1 might be preferable. Its in one of the DAC2 threads. Again, it was Face that described it the best

    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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  • SCompRacer
    SCompRacer Posts: 9,078
    edited November 2011
    leroyjr1 wrote: »
    Do you know if there's a difference in SQ between the 1 and 2?

    This page covers the main hardware/feature differences...

    http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/i/74030/212814/333112

    I have seen a B-stock DAC-1 sold by Wyred with the Low ESR super-caps. IIRC that was or still is an upgrade option.

    EDIT: Yup, here you go.... Note that this is not an active page off the Wyred site; it was found with a previous web search. If you are interested in B-stock, they will put your name on a list.

    http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/p/74030/117839/578791
    Salk SoundScape 8's * Audio Research Reference 3 * Bottlehead Eros Phono * Park's Audio Budgie SUT * Krell KSA-250 * Harmonic Technology Pro 9+ * Signature Series Sonore Music Server w/Deux PS * Roon * Gustard R26 DAC / Singxer SU-6 DDC * Heavy Plinth Lenco L75 Idler Drive * AA MG-1 Linear Air Bearing Arm * AT33PTG/II & Denon 103R * Richard Gray 600S * NHT B-12d subs * GIK Acoustic Treatments * Sennheiser HD650 *
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited November 2011
    Looks like the dac2 fits the bill for me.


    Thanks
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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2011
    A Black DAC 2 showed on Audiogon yesterday and lasted 15 minutes.
    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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  • thsmith
    thsmith Posts: 6,082
    edited November 2011
    New listing

    http://www.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?dgtlconv&1327726285&/Wyred-4-Sound-Dac-2-24/192-asynch-USB
    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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  • dhart86
    dhart86 Posts: 1,594
    edited November 2011
    Got the Dac 2 a couple months ago. Lovin every minute of it!!!!! the other difference between the Dac1 and Dac2, [beside the asych USB] is the DAC2 can serve Pre-amp function. This Dac is a beast! Search Face's previous thread
    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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  • PolkClyde
    PolkClyde Posts: 662
    edited November 2011
    punk-roc wrote: »
    I love my DAC-2.. I still feel the same as I did when I got it broken in (and still loved it right out of the box). Not sure it's ever leaving my system..

    Jason
    You feel the same as I do about my Audio Alchemy DAC and DIT PRO. Not going to leave my system until I find a better replacement down the road.
    PolkAudioClyde
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  • nspindel
    nspindel Posts: 5,343
    edited November 2011
    The DAC-2 is fantastic. Replaced a Benchmark DAC-1 Pre with it, haven't looked back once. Much more musical than the Benchmark. Didn't really understand what that meant until I compared them. I read in a comparison of the two someplace that when you listen to the Benchmark, you're listening to a recording, but when you listen to the Wyred, you're listening to a performance. It's a fantastic piece, you certainly won't regret owning it.
    Good music, a good source, and good power can make SDA's sing. Tubes make them dance.
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