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PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC without the transport

I am eagerly awaiting release of the bridge and lens and plan to get the whole turnkey PS Audio music server package once it comes out. I was wondering if it is worthwile to get the DAC earlier and use it with my digital transport (using Marantz UD9004). All I read about is the PS Audio DACs performance when used with the PWT. Is anyone using just the DAC with other transport over S/DIF and how good is it? I am currently using the Xtreme DAC card in my Theta casablanca III.
edorr
markalarsen's avatar
markalarsen
658 posts
 
I am burning my PerfectWave DAC. Right out of the box, however, this DAC is fantastic. I also love the front panel with the touch-screen lcd. It is rich, liquid and full bodied: the perfect fix for my upgrade addiction.
tonyptony
617 posts
 
Sota Sapphire, SME 309, Micro Benz Glider, Proceed PDT, PS PWD

Magnih, boy would I love to hear your thoughts on the sound if you could try the PWD with a PWT. I'm still using a Proceed PDT3, and for the life of me have not yet found a better transport for my system (within the limits of what I'd want to spend). If the PWT were to really blow away the PDT it would give me something to think about.
rockitman's avatar
rockitman
417 posts
 
04-21-11: Tonyptony

Sota Sapphire, SME 309, Micro Benz Glider, Proceed PDT, PS PWD

Magnih, boy would I love to hear your thoughts on the sound if you could try the PWD with a PWT. I'm still using a Proceed PDT3, and for the life of me have not yet found a better transport for my system (within the limits of what I'd want to spend). If the PWT were to really blow away the PDT it would give me something to think about.

The PWT will blow away the PDT for the following reasons:
1) The PWT is a 24 bit memory player with a built in digital lens to reclock the data (reduces jitter). This is very similar to the old Genesis Digital Lense, which PS Audio actually designed and manufactured for Genesis.
2) The PWT is a memory player. The data stream is read in, buffered, then error corrected and jitter reduced via the built in digital lense prior to output to the DAC. You can actually eject the cd and it will continue playing for up to 30 seconds. Most other players read data on the fly and error correct on the fly which is inferior to a buffered data stream.
3) The PWT reads up to 24 Bit 192 kHz music files. You can burn 24 bit wav files directly to DVD for playback on the PWT. Red book players can't.

It's a great sounding combo. It's my go to when I listen to digital.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
You forgot arguably the most important thing. The PWT uses the I2S interface with the PWD.
levy03
442 posts
 
agree with Edorr (and Rockitman). have had the perfect wave combo since intro almost 2 years ago. the I2S connection took it over the top imho. sounded great using xlr....sounds out of this world using I2S. am streaming from a pc now but still hanging on to my PWT because it sounds so damn good (yes...i still prefer it to the stream). PWT/PWD makes for an outstanding front.
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