PerfectWave DAC impressions?

silverlight · « **on:** 29 Jul 2009, 12:55 am »

So has anyone here had a chance to do a comparison between the PerfectWave DAC and others like the Weiss DAC2, Berkeley Alpha, etc.? (Both redbook and hires). Just curious as the PWD has now been out for a month on first shipment and 2nd round apparently around now. Fun to hear more listeners' impression of the min phase filters with redbook.Cheers

rydenfan · « **Reply #1 on:** 29 Jul 2009, 01:37 am »

I would suggest not posting this in the review section. Try either the Hi Rez Circle or Source To The Ear as the more appropriate places.

silverlight · « **Reply #2 on:** 29 Jul 2009, 04:08 am »

Quote from: rydenfan on 29 Jul 2009, 01:37 am

I would suggest not posting this in the review section. Try either the Hi Rez Circle or Source To The Ear as the more appropriate places.

Good suggestion, have asked that it be moved. thanks!

whubbard · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Aug 2009, 10:24 pm »

Anybody heard this DAC yet? Thoughts?

-West

golfugh · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Aug 2009, 11:47 pm »

I'd really like to know folks impressions on this DAC also; particularly if you can compare to the Weiss, Berkeley and Bryston
Mark

minimus · « **Reply #5 on:** 3 Aug 2009, 02:35 am »

I own the PWD, purchased to replace a Northstar M192 ($2,500 new, around $1,000 used). It is definitely a much better DAC than the Northstar to my ears. Very musical and more balanced than the Northstar, which sounds lean in comparison. I would agree with comments elsewhere that the DAC sounds fairly similar regardless of which digital filter is selected, although I slightly prefer the apodizing filter to the others.

Overall, I like the DAC a lot but cannot really compare to really high-end competitors. My sense is that PS Audio is building a suite of products (the Perfect Wave Transport, the upcoming Bridge, and the upcoming Digital Lens) that together are supposed to have synergies that would be missing if you buy only one of their Perfect Wave components. So I expect my system to sound even better with the Perfect Wave Transport and the upcoming Digital Lens. Of course, these synergies could be marketing BS. Will have to wait and see.

stu · « **Reply #6 on:** 23 Aug 2009, 03:40 am »

guys,

I have had a perfect wave transport for about 3 weeks, and can say that it is the best piece of digital eqipment that I have purchased. It made my Cullen modified DL-3 dac sound significantly more musical. I had someone over this week, and he said that he had never heard piano and cymbals sound so real. Hard to believe that a transport can make that much difference, but it does. I was so impresse that I ordered the perfect wave dac. Should have it in a few weeks.

Mark

soundlogic · « **Reply #7 on:** 25 Aug 2009, 11:27 pm »

I have had the pleasure of having the PS Audio Perfect Wave Dac and Perfect Wave Transport in my system for the last 2 weeks. My dealer offered his personal units to me to break-in and evaluate, as he just does not have the time.
I can say without hesitation, that this duo raises the bar on digital playback, beyond what I thought was available at it's price...and this is on red-book only, as I have yet to try the Hi-Rez DVD capabilities.
I first did all my listening with a cheap HDMI cable and was so impressed, I started scrambling to sell off what I could, to raise the funds for these pieces. Then, last week, my dealer loaned me the I2S-12 Silver HDMI that PS Audio makes, and that damn cable took everything up several notches. I did not want to like it, but the difference was not subtle, and of course, as far as I am concerned...a mandatory addition in allowing every last nuance this pair is capable of. They are to be heard and judged at best, as a pair, using the I2S HDMI interface. I used the PWD and my Esoteric DV-50 as a transport and was unable to get the magic that the PWT/PWD with HDMI cable offered.
After I listened and formed my impressions, I started scouring the net to see what other user's impressions were. So far, I have been unable to find any "formal reviews" from audio related publications, but the "everyman user reviews" I have read, seem to share the same impressions:...insert ALL the Audiophool Accolade/Hyperbole here___... except this time, for change...it actually applies!
Oh, and BTW, my dealer IS NOT getting his "loaner" pair back. (I guess there WAS a method behind his madness).
I feel confident once the "experts" log-in, PS Audio will have to scramble to meet the demand.
My dealer was able to get his hands on 2 more pairs; email me if you need his info.

golfugh · « **Reply #8 on:** 25 Aug 2009, 11:36 pm »

Glad to hear this, but please move thread to Hi-Rez circle. It will get more travel there.

soundlogic · « **Reply #9 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 12:24 am »

I have no idea how to move a thread...maybe one of the mods can do it.
Thanks

silverlight · « **Reply #10 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 12:35 am »

oh the irony...

I had started this thread in the review section looking for reviews... I PM'd the moderator of the review section and they moved it.
anyway, very exciting to hear such positive comments. certainly a lot of great comments over at the PSAudio site, but since I'm assuming many there have a wee bit of bias, nice to see some AC impressions

rydenfan · « **Reply #11 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 12:59 pm »

You are assuming this latest comment does not come from the PS Audio camp as well

I guess I am just a bit leerily when a new members first real post (besides selling something) is a review of a new product.

silverlight · « **Reply #12 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 01:45 pm »

hopefully the pairing will get an airing at an upcoming Rave or GTG with AC regulars whose tastes/biases/pref's are well established here.

Housteau · « **Reply #13 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 01:54 pm »

This all started out as the 'Memory Transport' didn't it? I thought the idea was to have both a standart transport and a music server interface all in one. Does it have the capability now, or will this be added later?

ted_b · « **Reply #14 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 02:16 pm »

This has been moved to our HiRez Circle.
http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=71041.msg662914#msg662914

Let's post comments and ideas there. thanks
Ted

soundlogic · « **Reply #15 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 07:01 pm »

In response to Rydenfan's semi-acusation: I am absolutely NOT a PS Audio FANBOY!
I own a pair of Power Plant Premier's which handidly, after break-in, sound as good if not better than the BPT Balanced Signiture power conditioner/Monster AVS 2000 regenerator of which I had 2 of each, that they replaced. I was able to sell the BPT/Monster combo, buy the PPP's, and put money in the bank. It was a no-brainer. Please read my follow-up in the Hi-rez circle.
The shitty thing about getting excited about anything is, you will always have some nay-sayer who has never heard the equipment, challenge your opinion, and make a half-hearted accusation. That is why I try not to post my opinions. But the fact is: I AM EXCITED about the new PS Digital pair. I understand that , of Charles Hansen, Founder and Designer of Ayre Audio has said some very nice things about the PWT/PWD...I guess he is one of Pied Piper Paul McGowan's disciples as well??? NOT!!!

soundlogic · « **Reply #16 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 08:17 pm »

Breaking News! The editors at Stereomojo.com are sleeping with the McGowans too!
http://stereomojo.com/PS%20AUDIO%20PERFECTWAVE%20TRANSPORT%20AND%20DAC.htm/PSADUIOPERFECTWAVETRANSPORTANDDAC.htm

ted_b · « **Reply #17 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 08:36 pm »

Deleted my comment and moved it to the hirez thread (wish everyone would...seems silly having two threads but I guess one is for cd/redbook playback and one for HiRez? Dunno)

Quiet Earth · « **Reply #18 on:** 26 Aug 2009, 09:07 pm »

I am also interested in impressions of the Perfect Wave Transport. I'm intrigued with the idea of getting a perfect read of the disc before sending it off to the DAC. However, I understand that other things are equally important, such as power supply quality, and the quality of the transmission line, the method of coupling to the outside world, etc. I know that jitter is real and it is an obstacle, but I don't loose sleep over it like many people do. (Maybe because I don't have any high res. yet.)

To get back on track with this thread, I would be very curious to know how this transport does into an non-oversampling DAC via the XLR cable. I realize that the "synergy" is supposed to be with the HDMI line into their own DAC, but right now I am only concerned with S/Pdif into my non-oversampling DAC. If anyone has any thoughts on the PWT playing redbook CD into a NOS DAC, then I am all ears. Even if it's your first post!

soundlogic · « **Reply #19 on:** 27 Aug 2009, 12:00 am »

Quote from: Quiet Earth on 26 Aug 2009, 09:07 pm

I am also interested in impressions of the Perfect Wave Transport. I'm intrigued with the idea of getting a perfect read of the disc before sending it off to the DAC. However, I understand that other things are equally important, such as power supply quality, and the quality of the transmission line, the method of coupling to the outside world, etc. I know that jitter is real and it is an obstacle, but I don't loose sleep over it like many people do. (Maybe because I don't have any high res. yet.)

To get back on track with this thread, I would be very curious to know how this transport does into an non-oversampling DAC via the XLR cable. I realize that the "synergy" is supposed to be with the HDMI line into their own DAC, but right now I am only concerned with S/Pdif into my non-oversampling DAC. If anyone has any thoughts on the PWT playing redbook CD into a NOS DAC, then I am all ears. Even if it's your first post!

I have been a member of the Tact users forum for a while and it seems that many of the Tact Digital pre-amp owners are using the PWT with very good results. The Tact has it's own built in DAC.