2. digital
  3. 173563-2231

Weiss 501 DAC

With great caution, just set up my new Weiss 501 DAC.  Why pray tell with great caution? Because I'm running ATC 40 actives and did not wish to mistakenly cook them by incorrect hookup while using the unit as a DAC and single source preamp/volume control.

Far too soon for evaluation, but not too soon to observe and appreciate the incredibly small footprint of it all.  Naim Core server, Weiss 501, Decware power conditioner all sitting on Quadraspire Reference X stand, appropriate cabling, PCs and done.  Compact civilized aural pandemonium! 

 

celtic66
vinylvalet
902 posts
 

I tried several external streamers and preferred direct to Weiss in every case. In the big Gustard R26 thread at head-fi, most preferred direct to R26.

verdantaudio's avatar
verdantaudio
1,500 posts
 

I have found the Antipodes K50 and Oladra are a step up from the internal streamer.  If you have an external server, K22 as an endpoint would likely be a step up.  

w123ale
108 posts
 

@vinylvalet excellent. Good to hear. I have no complaints going directly into the 501, but one always wonders if the grass is greener. I have a fiber connection to a Sonor to Shunyata Ethernet cable to the Weiss for Roon. Head and shoulders above the USB connection coming out of my Allo Raspberry Pi which I use for Airplay and Spotify when I want background music.

adriaan
19 posts
 

I recently bought a new Weiss 501MKII DAC and during the 400+ hours of (required) burn-in I tested several power cables:

  • Kemp Electronics Reference (no longer made I believe) (with Furutech connectors)
  • Audioquest Tornado Source (with standard connectors)
  • Crystal Cable Diamond (first series) (with ETI connectors)
  • Crystal Cable Ultra2 Diamond (with ETI connectors)
  • and finally Furutech DPS-4.1 (with Furutech 50 NCF connectors)

All in all, I conclude (subjective, I know) that the 501MKII is largely dependant for sound on the quality and matching of the power cable – it can be inductance, resistance or capacitance: I do not know but clearly the Furutech DPS-4.1 is the winner.

The Crystal Cable Ultra2 Diamond was not fully broken-in, so it might not be completely fair to assess this cable premature, but the sound was too analytical and bright to me. The Kemp Electronics and the Crystal Cable Diamond (fully broken-in) were simply not good enough in terms of distortion/noise  levels.

The DPS-4.1 is the only cable - which I tested - that delivers a musical sound in terms of tonality, small variations of music tempi and an atmospheric feel.

Also, the Audioquest Tornado was listenable but the transparency was very limited – especially compared to the Ultra2 Diamond and - of course - the DPS-4.1.

Do any of you 501 owners have similar experiences with the sensitivity of the Weiss 501 DAC (MKI or MKII) to differences in alternating the connected power cables?

Thanks!

celtic66 OP
1,664 posts
 

Yes!  And it is beyond weird.  I first ran Cullen Crossover ll with good results.  Onto Zavfino Prima, yet better.  Then onto your aforementioned combo.  Bang on!  I've no technical explanation, only my ears.  It's just right.  

I run an entire loom of Furutech 4.1.  Listen on man.  Cheers

More to discover