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PS Audio PWT and PWD MK II--recent acquisiton

I began a discussion of HDMI cables for I2S under the Cables heading, but my observations and questions about the PWT and PWD MK II are more appropriate here, I think. Having had some time to put this combination through its paces in my system (Modwright KWI-200 integrated, Proac Response D-2 speakers, Rel S-2 sub, Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval speaker cables, Clarus Aqua XLRs, Pangea HDMI) I'm not very happy with what I'm hearing. Yes, the two digital sources (DAC & transport) produce impressive resolution, spatial sense, and detail, but in a way that strikes me as very unmusical. In fact, though there's no discernible "glare" in the sound, it is extremely piercing and seems like it could damage my hearing if I listen too long at even reasonable volumes. 

My Cambridge Audio CXU universal player is much more pleasant to listen to even if it doesn't quite match the hyper-resolution of the PWT. I have a Wyred4Sound reclocker inserted between the CA player and the DAC, connected with Audioquest Carbon coax cables. This produces a much more musical presentation.

I'm open to suggestion here, though. Anybody experienced this, and can you suggest a remedy? My first inclination is just to sell off the PWT as a failed experiment.
cooper52
cooper52 OP
187 posts
 
Another update: The transport has been serviced twice by PS Audio (both were covered under warranty), the first time to address an issue with the transport mechanism itself which was unduly noisy, and the second time to address an issue with occasional freezing. This last issue is not uncommon, I gather from reading other threads here and in PS Audio's forum, and when I sent the unit back to them I also mentioned the fact that I thought the sound might not be all I'd hoped. They repaired a problem with the power supply and upon its return, it's like a different machine entirely. NOW I see why people are so taken with the combination of PWT and PWD II. Two further upgrades have also helped make this quantum leap: a Transparent Audio HDMI cable for the I2S connection (this makes a minor difference), and an Audience PowerChord SE that I'm using for the DAC, which is a night-and-day improvement from the previous (Cullen) cable. I'm really liking what I'm hearing now and I'm going to stay with this for the foreseeable future. Coming soon: a new power chord for the transport, too, which I hope will improve things even more.

A short word about speakers, since the subject was broached here: I still really like my ProAcs but I do hear some limitations in their presentation. I've auditioned a pair of Ryan r610s at a local dealer and was very impressed with them. I'm tempted...
joey_v
668 posts
 
Interesting discussion

I am trying to figure out how the hdmi cable helped
cooper52 OP
187 posts
 
Whether or not HDMI cables make a difference is pretty controversial. In this case the cable is transmitting only audio data using the I2S protocol, so it's possible that the improved materials in the Transparent cable do a better job of moving the bits, analogous, perhaps, to what happens when you upgrade your coax-digital cables. Just a theory, this. To my ears the difference was small, and I haven't really done enough A/B testing to confirm this. It might just be placebo effect. The power chord, though, that was a VERY noticeable difference.
I'm not an audio engineer by any stretch, so I don't have deep knowledge of the science behind any of this. Only know what my ears tell me.
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