Wyred4Sound Dac-2 vs Preamp and separate DAC

There is no resolution loss until you go way below 40 on the W4S DAC-2. If you have a problem it's not the dac but something else in your system. First, you need to match levels. My experience is that going direct to amp is far superior on every level than going through any dedicated preamp.

W4S DAC2 is not a passive preamp, but an active line stage of very high purity. Without inserting a number of switches and pots, interconnects and more active components to service all these, the clarity without an external preamp should be evident to all. The DAC2 is probably amongst one of the finest dacs one can get and the built in preamp certainly makes it a great value.

As a backup to testing, I use an Audez'e LCD-2 with Moon Silver Dragon wires to directly connect to the DAC2's phono outputs. If you have a higher resolution test setup, I'm all ears.

The optimum way to use DAC2 is with PWT from PSAudio and I2S cable. The I2S sounds major better than the other inputs. Drive direct to amps using a transformer linestage such as Music first or these other options:

http://www.audiocircle.com/index.php?topic=89744.0

TVC's do not have the negative effect on dynamics like resistive passives do. The DAC must have decent current drive however. These will beat even the most expensive active preamps.

Steve N.
Empirical Audio

My experience has been very similar to Agb100's. I compared the W4S DAC-2 direct to a pair of W4S mAMPs vs. with a W4S STP-SE preamp in between. I strongly prefer the direct mode - it sounds cleaner, more transparent and punchier. The STP-SE is an excellent preamp, but eliminating additional circuitry and interconnects really improves the sound.

Auioengr, have you compared the wyred for sound dac againts the ps audio pwd with the pwt using the I2S cable

Just to add a perspective, I am really happy with my DAC-2 running direct to a tube integrated that has a resistor-ladder attenuator for volume control, though I have not compared it with a preamp in the chain.

Regarding a sweet-spot on the DAC-2, to my ears it comes alive a bit when it's north of 50 and can sound a little un-relaxed once past 60 or 62. I often leave it at 58 and control volume from the integrated.

Steve, I'm still waiting for you to produce a converter that takes a coax SPDIF from my Squeezebox and sends out I2S to the Wyred. ;-)