PS Audio PerfectWave DAC Upgrade

"Are you saying that Steve is using PSA's I2S offering it as an option?"

It's not an option. Standard on the OR5.

"I wonder if my Pace-Car can be modded with the same?"

Sorry, but no. HDMI I2S is a completely different electrical interface.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

I responded to your questions this morning, but for some reason its not been posted yet. Here it is again - maybe this one will get posted quicker.

I use USB for two reasons: First, its 100% reliable. No network issues, no dropouts, no flaky software, and it can sound superb when done right. Second, I like the option of the digital outputs from the converter so I can run other devices (like a DAC/headphone amp, for example).

The PS Audio-compatible I2S is available in the Off-Ramp 5, which I know Steve is tweaking right now. I'd be surprised if it can be retrofitted to older units, but that's a question best addressed to him.

I am under the impression that native and nativeX are two different things. Is not native a bypass of the sample rate converter; and nativeX a fifo buffer aka digital lens that resides close to dac processor chip instead of in the transport?

Two reasons I use USB: First, its 100% reliable. No dropouts, no network issues, and no flaky software, and with the right converter it sounds superb. Second, I like having the digital out options on the Off-Ramp to feed other devices (like a DAC/headphone amp, for example).

The I2S in hdmi format will be part of Nugent's new Off-Ramp, the 5. I'd be very surprised if any of his older units can be retrofitted, but that's a question best addressed to him.

Yes the Berkley was a dealer demo so it had break-in and hours on it.
It's a great dac too.
If I could afford to keep them all, they all have their signature, then I could select based on my mood.
I needed to make a decision so PWD was the one that kept me in my chair longer. Less wires too!