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Just got the PS Audio Perfectwav DAC -- Amazing

For the last year my system has consisted of the Slim Devices Transporter (Transport + DAC) -> Bel Canto Ref1000 -> Anthony Gallo Ref 3.1

I listen to all my music digitally (lossless/flac). I was very happy with my original system but when the Perfectwave DAC came out I was intrigued. For quite a while I debated between the PW and keeping the transporter or modding it via Modwright.

I ended up getting the PW and though I can't compare it to a modded transporter, it blows the stock transporter out of the water. I should note that since the network bridge isnt out for the PW, I am currently streaming music via the transporter -> coaxial out (spdif) -> PW.

I have only listened for ~5 hours so far, but things I have noticed right away is much cleaner/tighter bass. The low end is so much more accurate than it was before. When comparing, the transporter sounded very muddy (even though at the time I though it was quite good). The mids and highs are tighter as well. The separation has improved quite a bit as well. I have immediately noticed that the loudness of different instruments is wider spread than listening to the same songs on the transporter.

Hope this helps! If anyone has any questions about the PW or the transporter I will try my best to answer them.
danyal711
ricky64
28 posts
 
Count me among those who really like this unit, but find it sounds better with my preamp (and, I've been looking for a different preamp, so I'm not enamored with my current one).

The output impedence of the PWD is 300ohms, and the input of my Ayre V5xe is 200ohms.

My preamp is the Ayre K3
dob
577 posts
 
"...the input of my Ayre V5xe is 200ohms"

Hello Ricky. If V5xe is power amp then its typo error, its too low even for solid state amp

Regards
Rafael
ricky64
28 posts
 
ooops.
Not a typo, just a total misrepresentation of fact.
100kohms is the number. Only off by a few orders of magnitude.

What are the recommended generalizations for matching preamp and amp impedence?
dob
577 posts
 
With 100 kOhms input impedance you can match any preamp. The minimum ratio would be 10:1 - its my arbitrary number, provided that preamp, otherwise is fantastic. Somebody else will have different number. I feel that with 20:1 ratio the audible effect of mismatch is negligible.

My Joule-Electra preamp has the two outputs: buffered with 300 Ohms and with bypass buffer - 1200 Ohms. I would choose, most probably 1200 Ohms output even if my power amp would have low input impedance... sort of trade-off. Here, I gain transparency and immediacy bypassing buffer and would take the some roll-off at the top and bottom simply because preamp is fantastic (the best I ever auditioned) there and I can sacrifice it a bit.

All The Best
Rafael
danyal711 OP
22 posts
 
I don't know a whole lot about pre amps. I thought that really what you wanted to match was the Vrms out to the Vrms of the amps. The PW does 3Vrms RCA and 6Vrms XLR. The Bel Cantos are 3Vrms XLR and 2Vrms RCA. Currently I have them connected via XLR and don't crank the volume too loud.

Other than helping level these kinds of discrepancies, what does a preamp add? Is it the case that the preamp is simply coloring the sound in its own way which may sound better or worse? Or would a solid pre amp definitely improve the sound / why?
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