Any experience of Wyred4sound DAC

DAC-2 looks to be similar in concept and design to the Weiss DAC202. Aync USB instead of 1394a but same dac circuit seemingly used in the same way. Quality can only be known with a listen but I'd expect it below the Weiss and Naim DAC simply due to the track record of the later 2.

I guess BigJim is hoping for a cheaper DAC than Naim's - in which case Chord.

I always wonder about 1st timer's affiliations when that post includes a product.

Been a lurker for a while, absolutely no trade affiliation.

I spoke to the guy who does the Cullens mod for Sonos and he suggested this product. Apparently you can get home demo from UK importer. He also said no need for Cullens mod with this DAC as it claims to be able to reclock via an algorithm and remove incoming Jitter.

And yes, looking for a cheaper solution than Naim DAC + PSU.

You can get a home demo of the Chordette Peach, it is cheaper than the DACs you're looking at and no importer involved, it is made in Maidstone - it is Chordette Gem with more inputs. I had the Gem on loan and it was superb; you need a Naim DAC for a significant improvement.

The Chord is more versatile than my nDAC/555PS, but I'm delighted with the Naim. If Naim didn't make DACs then I'd go for the Chord.

I'm not.

I wouldn't take the word of anyone that says that there's absolutely no benefit in reducung noise and jitter from a source, regardless of how good the jitter correction is. He could say it's not cost effective but it will be audible.

I briefly heard the W4S DAC-2 at a showroom and was quite impressed with its effortless clarity. And it was not even broken in! Of course, this was just a preliminary assessment.

Have a Naim DAC and DAC-2 for home demo. I also have a host of USB/SPDIF interfaces to try + PS's. Will report back later.

quote:

Originally posted by BigJim:
Have a Naim DAC and DAC-2 for home demo. I also have a host of USB/SPDIF interfaces to try + PS's. Will report back later.

Please do - especially interested in the USB to S/PDIF interfaces with the Naim DAC; no interest in DAC-2 myself, but am sure others will be.

Try the DAC-2 as interface to get an idea of how those USB's stack up to JET on the Naim.

W4S DAC2 just won the Blue Moon Award.

Never mind my last post. Wrong Dac-2. Seems in that review, he doesn't like the new DAC2 quite as much as the old DAC2.

I think we can say there are a lot of very good, but different, DACs at each price band these days which all offer a good sound, some of which suit different people and different setups better or worse. The only way to find which is best for you is to get some demos.

How often do we see reviews of new products being hailed as "the best thing since sliced bread" (though personally I prefer a nice home cooked loaf) ... then next month a new product takes that same title!

Eloise

Wiser words.....

OK, have had the W4S DAC for a day now. Don't have the Naim yet.

First observations is how poor the Sonos is. Hooking up the DAC just nocked me back. In subjective terms, i'd say 4 times the benefit of a 122x to 282. What was interesting was how different the various cable options sounded. Initially the Async Mac USB->DAC USB easily won the day. However, the extra musicality was traded off against a bit of a cramped top-end. It was if my room wasn't big enough for all the new music. Next best was a USB->Halide Bridge (£369) Coax. This is a passive cable. Finally SONOS Coax. However the next day things seemed to swap a round a bit. The poor Sonos suddenly sounded much better, more cohesive and balanced. The two USB solutions were much more difficult to call.

I'll keep listening over the next few days as my ears are tiring at the moment.

One thing I will say, is, the NAIM has a big challenge to trump the W4S at this stage. The only thing in its faviour from my POV is I find PS upgrades from Naim totally transforms my listening. But then we are talking about a lot more cash.

BigJim

Interesting post. A couple of questions.

Using any particular USB cable - or just one you liberated from your computer?

Also which music player are you using on the Mac?

Cheers

Richard

They supplied me with a Locus Polestar USB cable (£195). I was encouraged to try a cheap USD as well, not done that yet.

Will be interested in the results when you do.

Cheers

Richard

Oh, standard Mac software at the moment. Too many variables currently.

OK, swapping USB cables from USB->USB between a £2 free-be and the £200 cable makes no over all difference..... However they sound quite different. Night and day different. But it is not clear which sounds "better". I got the misses to do blind tests for me, and by the end I still could choose which was "best".

I am now of the opinion that the Halide Bridge is materially better than the other two. Technically that doesn't make a lot of sense but it just does. I'm also a bit shocked at how much better the sonos sounds. That said it still sounds very poor in this company.

I get a USD conditioner coming so will test that as well.

Interesting that there is a marked difference.

Perhaps you might want to try leaving one in for an extended period, seeing how long you listen to the system. Then repeating with the other. i.e. which is less fatiguing.

Just a thought.

Also possible worth providing a better signal via PM or Amarra mini. I know it increases the variables - but may help in differentiating down stream components?

Cheers

Richard

quote:

makes no over all difference.

and

quote:

However they sound quite different. Night and day different.

Anyone else having trouble reconciling these comments in the same post from the same person?

Which is it Jim?

-Patrick

You'll have to bare with me as i'm reporting in real time.

My point was, in terms of satisfaction, I enjoyed both equally, i.e. the overall experience. Yes they sounded different, but not worse. Different CDs sounded better or worse depending on the cable.

I'll run some High Res stuff through at some point.

Was clear to me. Obvious difference, but no preference.