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Bidat vs. Perfecwave MSB Playback Design

Ok, so here goes. I love my Museatex Bidat. It is not going ANYWHERE. The rub comes in that I want to be able to access high res files. All my files are on HDD in AIFF format. I am torn between the Playback Design dac, the Perfect Wave and the MSB Platinum Dac 3. The problem is I have never had a chance to hear, let alone compare any of the 3 high res capable dacs mentioned. I can not afford to purchase all 3 simultaneously to do a head to head comparison. I wanted to know if anyone has compared any of these dacs to a Bidat. The Bidat (currently and for the last 10 years) has been my reference digital source. I have noticed that when most people compare new dacs they will say things like "the bottom was so much tighter" or "everything is so trasnparent". The Bidat is just "Right"; anyone who has heard the unit will immediately know to what I am referring.
That certain unmistakable ineffiable quality which sounds like ral music; it makes you believe (even if temporarily) that Jane Monheit is in your living room singing directly to you. I have had Wadia and a slew of others and they are all fine machines, but I need the unit I am looking for to have that certain 'life' quality which makes you forget about all the reviews, what other people think and just reside in that special place in yourself where all is right.

Ok, now that I've waxed poetic, any opinions would be greatly apprecited :)

Thanks,

Don
PS>the Dynavox Dynastation II was the ONLY other digital source that I have owned or heard to compete with the Bidat bu alas it was a CD player only thus I got rid of it.
audiofun

Showing 12 responses by audiofun

audiofun OP
799 posts
 
I can tell you I expect the MPD to be better. But the Bidat currently is my ref.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
Worldcat thank you so much for taking time to address my concerns. I check this thread every so often to get others feedback. I really appreciate all the input.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
Vhiner thanks for the enthusiasm :) I will be posting the review (my own humble opinions) as soon as I get my Bidat back. As great as it sounds it was stock. John Wright of Museatex fame currently has my unit in hand and is doing the full upgrade on the unit. Soon as I get it back I will purchase a Perfect Wave Dac and break them both in simultaneously and do a review. I will take copious notes on the differences I perceive and then I will get a MSB Plat Dac 3 and repeat the procedure rounding it out with the Musical Playback Design. Can't afford to have them all at the same time :( If only :)
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
Thanks guys, but I'd really like to hear from someone who has done a true head to head with a Bidat or a Dynastation 2. I have compared my digital directly to a SOTA vacuum TT using a Lamm phono pre. They were both very very good. In the end, I chose the digital, less fuss and i couldn't hear an advantage with the TT. It was really quite an amazing comparison an out of the 4 or 5 of us in attendance, no one opted for the TT. Not saying anything bad about TT, just tha tI don't deal in absolutes with analog vs digital. I have heard a TT kill a digital rig and I have heard digital walk all over analog. Depends on what you have.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
Thanks Restock, I appreciate you taking the time (as I do with everyone who posted/posts and entry). I will look into it, especially since I can go Firewire directly to the Weiss and I am using Amarra software now (well i am evaluating, jury still out).
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
LOL!!!!! I have Romy before and found him to be a bit gruff to say the least. Very opinionated and always right (in his world).

I am leaning towards the Music Playback Design for my high res files. I will post here when I have and give it a chance to break in.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
I agree this is what makes the hobby fun. I have also decided to add a TT to my system in order to really be able to compare to my own analog front end. I have already compared my (pre modded) bidat to the SOTA Vac table (I think approc $5k) using a Lamm phono stage. The sound was so close it was crazy, we ended up listening to the Bidat as there was no reason to mess with the TT. Having said all that, I want a TT to play with. My music is now ALL on a HDD and so I only interact with the ipod touch or a tablet computer to control my mac mini. It will be cool to have everything setup. I will keep you posted.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
I agree Njedi I think the fact that you can use the MSB as a pre is awesome as I can directly feed my future TT though the MSB (should it win the contest) and have one less component in the chain. I really wish I could have one of those simple systems like some, you know 1 stereo amp, 1 pre and 1 cd player, but my systems end up being very complex with lost of components, but the sound is the goal. I will post once this gets going. Sometime after the 1st of the year. Still waiting on my Bidat to come back from John and then I have to break it in.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
Hmm, I used to run my Bidat directly into the amp (I owned a Super Bidat in the late 1997-98) and my new Bidat which is currently with John Wright being converted to the Super and Plus updates (which by the way John informed is now both updates rolled up into one simple called the 'Plus' update) directly into my amps. I have never ever heard a Bidat have even a smidgen of etch. I was surprised to read that Vhiner. My 1st Bidat used to feed (if I remember correctly my Kora 100SB Triodes (at the time) and then I think my Tube Research Labs GT200 (but that would have been through the TRL pre). My current Bidat was feeding a solid state amp of my design and the sound has beaten many a tube amp I compared it to.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
I understand. I am very hard on preamps and I have only found a couple that I have found memories of. Best I ever heard period was my TRL pre, the Joule was ok, I hated my Sim Audio P5...etc. I want to try the Wyred 4Sound unit, a trusted buddy thought it was as good as his Esoteric C03, which he ended up selling. Lots of choices out there and it's all fun!
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
I will keep everyone posted. I have a lot of audio related testing planned for 2010.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
Ok, this has been a long time coming. I have settled in MSB. As you may know, I sold the Bidat some time ago and while i will always have fond memories of that unit, I am in love with my PowerDac and hi res files.

I now own the MFA classic copper and the MFA reference preamplifier and they are simply fantastic pieces of audio gear and worth every penny.

I have decided to go with the MSB platinum Dac diamond a little later this year.

The MSB gear in my opinion is simply some of the finest digital that can be owned and the powerdac is a ridiculous value that will simply embarrass most digital out there... But be warned..., it takes a very long time to fully burn in :)

Will keep you posted.
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