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PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC upgrade to DSD?

PS Audio DAC users - I currently have a Perfect Wave DAC with Bridge II, and it seems to me that the next best upgrade to my system is to convert it to a DSD.  I am a neophyte audiophile on a budget, this purchase will be the only major upgrade affordable in the next 6-12 months, what can I expect in terms of SQ improvement?  

Rest of system is viewable on audiogon systems; the short version is Thiel CS 2.3s, BAT VK-55, decent power supply cables interconnects etc.  Weakest part of the sound to my ears is the high frequencies, sibilance and smear in particular.  Responses in prior posts have pointed out the speakers as a weak link, and that is another potential/next upgrade.  Room is fairly well treated but still being optimized.
128x128thosb
thosb's avatar
thosb OP
204 posts
 
I wish, sadly no, and thanks a bunch for the offer.  You've moved me closer to trying this, some day.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
One last suggestion... If you've got the space, you may also consider using screw connections throughout the crossover.  It eliminates soldering and let's you easily swap out capacitors to try different types. That's what Nelson pass uses on his home speakers... see photo #5: https://jeffsplace.positive-feedback.com/jeff-checking-in-pass-labs-xa25-amplifier-and-the-duelund-a...
thosb's avatar
thosb OP
204 posts
 
hmmm....thanks for the continuing encouragement....again your advice is nudging me closer to trying.  Still need that second set of speakers tho, else the music dies while the work progresses which would be a very sorry state indeed.
mike_in_nc
1,161 posts
 
Room treatments: really good idea.

And please look at those measurement in Stereophile and think about whether the speakers should stay in your system, given the issue you have mentioned.


thosb's avatar
thosb OP
204 posts
 
Thanks mike_in_nc, I have looked at the response curve nearly every time someone tells me the speakers are the problem, and yes different speakers are in my future, maybe they should come first but man it’s going to take some traveling to listen and audition, which is going to take some time, and if there’s a patient audiophile out there it sure isn’t me.

re the room, I just got a new chair (geofkaitt convinced me the Poang foam was horrible for acoustics, he was right, if anyone’s keeping score rack one up for the ‘gon’s best jester) and will be building some step diffusers over the next month and keep experimenting with placement of absorption.  I have to make a hard choice re the ceiling - keep a fan or replace it with absorption panels.  Not sure what else I can do in terms of treatments.

So where I have landed for now - better power conditioning, upgrade the Ethernet cable, keep working on treatments etc, hold off on the dac upgrade and start the speaker search.  This should satisfy the demons for a while.  Second pair of speakers will give me a chance to modify the crossovers on the Thiels.  Unless I change my mind along the way.  
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