Review of Wyred4Sound Modified Sonos

As someone who used a Connect with W4S Reclocker...I've gone back to NDX.

No contest.

G

Not surprised that the NDX is the better streamer, given the cost difference and quality of Naim engineering.  But for someone with a modest budget or wanting access to Qobuz, Deezer and Pandora, the Sonos Connect is certainly a good alternative to using a PC/Mac.   Adding a re-clocker or the Wyred4Sound modification makes Sonos sound better, as others here have reported.   In absolute terms it may not competitive with an NDX, as you say, but Sonos compensates with more streaming choices and a world-class application.  I can see a place for both Sonos and a high quality source in many a high-end system.

My experience only experience with a Naim streamer was the ND5XS, which was briefly compared to a W4S Sonos using the Naim V1 Dac.   Both had different presentations, but neither a clear winner.   The outcome might be different with an NDX, especially when helped by the NDAC and/or power supply.   Maybe something I should try in 2016.  

There is no point in getting hung up about minor differences, just enjoy the music, a much better use of your time. I have not heard the Wyred4Sound Sonos or their Reclocker. I use a Dr. Gert Volk modified Sonos, though, and it is a very good source in my view. Nothing beats Sonos for choice of streaming services or network reliability. It is rock solid. User interface of the desktop controller and app are great too, some say market leading. Whatever. My Sonos feeds an nDAC/555PS via a DC1 RCA and to be frank, it sounds just as good as my CDX2.2 using a DC1 BNC. I would be surprised, if the NDX sounded significantly better. That said, I auditioned a CD5XS and CDX2.2 feeding an nDAC once and there was an audible difference between the two. Quite a bit of difference for the obsessed, negligible in the grant scheme of things, i.e. enjoying music. Hence, there is likely to be also a difference between an ND5 and NDX feeding the same. So where does this leave me and my post here? Three things to take away: a) The Dr. Gert Volk Sonos must be bloody good, b) Even 16/44 AIFF files played straight from my 2010 15" Macbook Pro into the nDAC via a cheap €8 plastic optical cable sound very good through the nDAC/555PS (I also have a Wireworld Supernova 6 optical cable but don't use it) and C)  It is more important to concentrate your focus and investment on a good DAC and everything that comes after it, i.e. amplification and speakers, rather than spending a lot of money on an NDX feeding an already superb DAC. I certainly would never buy it new. Pre loved is another story, if streaming is your primary form of musical replay. For me it's a side medium, I much prefer spinning silver discs.

As always, all IMHO of course.

tp

Kendrick posted:

 favorably comparing it to external the company's external Remedy re-clocker

John Darko was pretty firm in his opinion about the improvement over the Remedy.

What about reality? Does an internalised re-clocker fed by I2S sound better than a similar external re-clocker fed by S/PDIF?

The short answer is yes. The slightly longer version is ‘most emphatically’.

totemphile posted:

Three things to take away: a) The Dr. Gert Volk Sonos must be bloody good, b) Even 16/44 AIFF files played straight from my 2010 15" Macbook Pro into the nDAC via a cheap €8 plastic optical cable sound very good through the nDAC/555PS (I also have a Wireworld Supernova 6 optical cable but don't use it)

Hi TP,

I run a Sony Playstation 3 into the nDAC via the Wireworld Supernova optical cable (as recommended by Wat) and it's good, very good in fact. Worth comparing against the plastic cable.