[radarnyc]

Hi all
Has anyone noticed that the prices for used and new PS Audio PerfectWave MKII DACs are "low" these days? Also, there are a ton of them for sale. I've seen asking prices in the low $2k range for these DACs that retailed for $3995.
Is it because of the pending NuWave DAC at $995 (retail)?
Thanks

[mark funk]

I think that is saying some thing eles?





                                                                                                                           

[radarnyc]

I suppose there could be many reasons:

1. Pending NuWave performance is approaching PWD
2. Poor reviews or customer satisfaction - I've not heard of of these complaints though
3. PS Audio products sell for a lot less than their MSRP - I don't know if that's accurate though
4. ????

[AB]

This sort of question comes up fairly frequently.
I believe the #1 reason for selling gear is likely some sort of audiophilia nervosa. There might be better sound just around the corner.

Also...

I think DACs are developing so quickly these days that people are just churning through them - there are always new ones to try and the prices range all over the place.

[mrhyfy]

This sort of question comes up fairly frequently.
I believe the #1 reason for selling gear is likely some sort of audiophilia nervosa. There might be better sound just around the corner.

Also...

I think DACs are developing so quickly these days that people are just churning through them - there are always new ones to try and the prices range all over the place.

I think there is something a little different in this case,,when the original PW dac came out there seemd to be a lot of them on the used market rather quickly.  ONE other case that comes to mind is W4S Dac 1/2.  They were out almost 9 months before used ones could be found and they were listed at about 80% of their original list.
This is just something I observed....

[TheChairGuy]

Lotsa' great marketing on PS Audio products for many years now...seems like the reality to consumers falls short.

I've had at least 5 dud products from them in the past 10 years.  They work - but no better or in some ways worse then competing products at the same price point(s). 

I'm a long time marketing guy not usually swayed by marketing pitches....but they cloak their claims in such appealing ways I'm game for more $$ abuse, myself 

This NuWave DAC seems chock full of the best technology at a fine price point....but my prior experience tells me it'll be a letdown at half the price: http://www.avguide.com/article/ps-audio-unveils-the-nuwave-dac

That's just me (and a few thousands others it seems by PS Audio second hand selection and pricing out there)...don't let me pee on your parade!

John

[golfugh]

I'll add my 2 cents.  Reasons are 2 fold as I see them:

1.  Street price is much lower than full retail, most of the ones you see sold used are going for the retail street price.
2.  The bridge promises a lot, but the PS Audio ELyric Media Manager (EMM) is not cutting it, works for some, but not others.  Work around is to use JRiver through the bridge.  A LOT of people bought the PWD for the bridge and are disappointed with EMMs functionality.

No one is complaining about the sound quality from everything I've read.  The PWD MKII just received 2 stellar reviews from TAS and Computer Audiophile.

I just installed one in my system today; not using the bridge yet.  It replaces a Wyred DAC1.  Previously owned the PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen lvl 4 mods.  The Wyred was better than the DL III.  No assessment on the PWD MKII yet, just started playing.

Mark

I will add that PS Audio's customer service is outstanding!  You always get someone on the phone and the CEO is on the PS Audio forums and takes suggestions, reminds me of the manufacturers represented here on AC.

[wilsynet]

Has anyone noticed that the prices for used and new PS Audio PerfectWave MKII DACs are "low" these days? Also, there are a ton of them for sale. I've seen asking prices in the low $2k range for these DACs that retailed for $3995.

Some people have said that the street price of a new PWD MK2 is close to its used price in the low $2Ks.  I don't think that's (often) true, I'd guess street price is probably a bit north of $2700.

Having said that, I'm a recent owner of a PWD MK2 who let his go for around $1900.  I sold mine and purchased a $2000 NAD M51.  Between the NAD M51 and the Mytek 192 DSD, there's a lot of downward price pressure on the PWD.

What do I think of my new purchase?  The M51 works better in my system, and I'm pretty happy with it.  Having said that, I'm also pretty sure that the new owner the PWD MK2 is pretty darn happy too.  Win, win I think.

[golfugh]

Some people have said that the street price of a new PWD MK2 is close to its used price in the low $2Ks.  I don't think that's (often) true, I'd guess street price is probably a bit north of $2700.

No disagreement, street price for the PWD MK II is around $2700, add about $600 for the bridge.  Still the street price is quite a bit lower than the MSRP.  I've seen quite a few used for $2500 + on Agon, a little higher with the bridge.  Yours went for a great price.

Hopefully I can get the bridge working??  So far it's not as bright as the Wyred DAC1.

[mr_bill]

Some people have said that the street price of a new PWD MK2 is close to its used price in the low $2Ks.  I don't think that's (often) true, I'd guess street price is probably a bit north of $2700.

Having said that, I'm a recent owner of a PWD MK2 who let his go for around $1900.  I sold mine and purchased a $2000 NAD M51.  Between the NAD M51 and the Mytek 192 DSD, there's a lot of downward price pressure on the PWD.

What do I think of my new purchase?  The M51 works better in my system, and I'm pretty happy with it.  Having said that, I'm also pretty sure that the new owner the PWD MK2 is pretty darn happy too.  Win, win I think.

What do you like better about the Nad over the PW Dac?

[wilsynet]

What do you like better about the Nad over the PW Dac?

NAD M51 is more transparent and more dynamic.  Highs have more finesse and are more resolved.

PWD MK2 has a denser mid-range, and a somewhat warmer tone.

NAD M51 volume control is better.  The PWD MK2 starts truncating bits at 50% attenuation, while the M51 seems to suffer no loss of resolution even at very quiet levels.

Neither DAC is fatiguing in the least bit way.

Although I generally prefer having an active line stage, I could imagine myself happy long term with the NAD M51 direct to amp.  As for the PWD MK2, it clearly benefits from a very good line stage.

If I had to draw an analogy to amplifiers, the PWD MK2 is more like a SET 300B and the NAD M51 is more like OTL.  Both are good, both can certainly be convincing in their own way.  In my particular system, with my somewhat laid back speakers, I prefer the M51.