2. digital
  3. 124080-80035

Best DAC for CD redbook playback from a PS Audio Perfectwave transport

I just purchased a PS Audio PWT and will use it to listen to redbook CDs. I've read that the best playback is with an I2S hdmi cable. So, a suitable dac would be one with an I2S input, such as either a Wyred4Sound dac or a PS Audio PWD. But, if it's just for redbook CD playback, can I suffice with an older MK1 version or do the updated versions (which I presume are primarily geared toward improving computer based systems) also significantly improve CD SQ? Again, it's just for CD playback.
tweaknkeep
ejr1953
921 posts
 
I have the PS Audio PerfectWave transport and DirectStream DAC, with a PS Audion I2S (HDMI) cable, and it’s the best combination I’ve auditioned.

I have had the DirectStream DAC now for about 18 months and am really impressed with the detail it extracts from CDs, even better when I added the transport (my latest acquisition).  The great thing about that DAC (besides the quality) is that updates are made available on a fairly frequent basis, each one of them has improved the performance.  Thoroughly happy with both products.

On the advice of one of my audio buddies (retired electrical engineer), I also purchased a PS Audio P10 power plant, "power regenerator".  When I added the P10, I noticed an immediate improvement in the performance of the DAC.
charles1dad's avatar
charles1dad
10,250 posts
 
The PWT is an excellent CD transport and will work well with any high quality DAC IMO. I use the PWT with a Yamamoto DAC and have heard it used with an Aesthetic Pandora  DAC as well. In both cases the sound quality was terrific via rca input /cables. 
Charles, 

tweaknkeep OP
38 posts
 
Thanks all thus far. In the meantime, I found the following from a review in Home Theater by Brian Kahn "I found the Bridge to provide the best sound, with the PerfectWave Transport via I2S a close second." That's reassuring.
tweaknkeep OP
38 posts
 
Thanks all. Just splurged (it was my birthday) because I got a good price on a PS Audio DSD Junior + Wire World Platinum hdmi cable. Will post results after burn-in.
georgehifi's avatar
georgehifi
10,312 posts
 
Best DAC for CD redbook playback


Get the best you can afford that uses R2R Ladder Multibit dac conversion, as it does it "Bit Perfect" for Redbook (PCM)

Stay away from all Delta Sigma based dacs that are for DSD or otherwise, as they only give a facsimile of Redbook (PCM) conversion.

http://www.mojo-audio.com/blog/dsd-vs-pcm-myth-vs-truth/

Quote: " When a PCM file is played on a DSD or Bit Stream converter, the DAC chip has to convert the PCM to DSD in real time. This is one of the major reasons people claim DSD sounds better than PCM, when in fact, it is just that the chip in most modern single-bit DACs do a poor job of decoding PCM."

Cheers George

More to discover