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Bidat vs Perfect Wave vs Weiss and others

This is thread I started a while ago and promised in February i would start doing some real world comparative testing using the Bidat (Plus Mod) as the ref. The units under test are to include in no specific order the MSB Platinum Dac, the Weiss Minervera and the Playback Design player. I posted this under the follow-up of the original thread and it is there is you do a search under Digital for "ps audio perfect". I can't understand why it did not 'promote' to the top of the digital section as it did in the past whenever there was a new contribution, so I have started a new related thread with the first entry of my fun (and I hope edifying comparative experiences).
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Ok, I just got a broken in Weiss Minerva (several hundred hours at least). It has been in my system burning in for about 18 hours (18 hours since arriving in my home, time to come to thermal equilibrium). I have done some comparative listening to the Museatex Dcc-1 (a rarely known digital preamp 19 bit dual differential type) using glass Tos on both and then glass on the DCC1 vs a very expensive (can't name it yet as the manufacturer has not released it...sorry :( ) Firewire on the Weiss. I have a Mac Mini (2007 model) 2.0 ghz Core2Duo with 4Gig of ram running Leopard (although this model can only see 3.01 gig of that (I used 4gig as the memory transfer is optimized when the mem modules are the same). I also have a 1TB NAS (all over wifi). I am of course going to reserve final judement until a bit later.

I will be comparing the Museatex Bidat with the Plus Mod later this weekend. As a teaser, I will go on record and say that honestly at this point I don't agree with the stellar reviews concerning the Weiss Minerva.

It is resolute, almost technicolor but just to give you a short glimpse of what I am hearing, I could imagine a well healed vinyl person listening to Holly Cole on vinyl and then listening to the Weiss (playing the same in CD format) and saying "this is why I will never leave vinyl". Now that may sound harsh, but this is a hobby and I don't have a dog in the race, I am just reporting my ears findings.

I listened to a few high resolution files 176.4/24 and 96/24 but what I heard was a really clear highly resolved soul-less rendition of the music. It never ever made me smile or relax into the music the way the DCC-1/Bidat or even my former (when I actually spun cd's...wow time flies) stellar Dynavox Dynastation 2 (the finest CD player I have ever heard).

In a nutshell (at this point) it just sounds like digital and that aint good in my camp because I am not forgetting about the gear and just listening to the music. I don't like syrupy or dark, I have heard plenty of players try to use that trick to sound musical. No, I look for something that is more elusive and few their be that find that magical combination when forging through the nether regions of the digital domain. I will continue listening to see if the Weiss surprises me :)

More to come...
audiofun
vhiner
544 posts
 
Audiofun,

I missed this thread because it shifted from the old one. It's fascinating and I'm reading it like the latest issue of Stereophile! I'm eager to hear more about the MSB in terms of how it compares to the Bidat. I'm not surprised by what you say by "tube magic." Another friend of mine who has recently modded bidat says he wishes the bidat had a tube output stage because he previously had a DAC which did and said it had a special quality...even though the Bidat bested it.

I just spent several weeks comparing new digital interconnects from Moray James (he assists John Wright with his mods and John uses Moray's calbe to voice his mods) and I want you to know how amazing Moray's latest cable is when used with the Bidat. Several friends have confirmed by impressions of what an amazing difference this RCA digtial cable makes. Since I've had my Bidat upgraded twice (the most recent in November of '09) I can say that the digital cable has as profound an impact as the actual mods done to the unit. Bass is more realistic and FAR more musical. Microdynamics are improved without the slightest grain or "hi fi" sound. I have also switched to a Shunyata Python CX for the power cord and it has also brought out even more of the Bidat magic. I have no financial interest or relationship with either of these companies. If you're interested in reviewing one of Moray's cables, I can pass his email address on to you.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Sorry for all the typos in my previous posting...too much coffee.
audiofun OP
799 posts
 
I'm glad you are enjoying the thread :) I am familiar with Morray James. I bought a pair of his interconnects circa 1999 when he was just getting started and yes they are good. I have not had any of his newer offerings since that time. I might try some of his interconnects.

The MSB is still cooking. I like it...but I want to reserve final judgement for a while (yes I did purchase the unit). Sometimes I think I love it and others I am indifferent or put-off. I have owned other gear that did that good/bad thing while breaking in, but this thing is taking it to another level.

I still have to get the Play Back Design in to listen to. I think I may end up foregoing the PS Audio, ONLY because I am not at all interested in spinning discs and it is designed to work optimally with the PWT, so... I see no point.

I do love the 24/96 through the MSB, I downloaded an album (is it still really an album :) from HDTracks by an artist named Christy Baron. I just kinda happened upon her and I really like her quite a bit. I used to listen to Patty Barber but honestly I got tired of listening to her singing to women...kinda messed up the flow of the music for me so I have been looking for other interesting female vocalists. Suggestions are welcome.

I will follow up with other observations hopefully soon.
vhiner
544 posts
 
I'm particularly eager to hear bout the Playback Design, given the reviews I've read. Have you considered the Berkeley DAC that Robert Harley raved about a while back? I believe it handles hi-rez.

If you haven't heard Shelby Lynne's tribute to Dusty Springfield called "Just a Little Lovin" on Lost Highway records, I recommend it. It was mastered by the legendary audiophile wizard Doug Sax and was recorded on luscious analogue tape. It's great if you like that type of music.
glrtrgi
69 posts
 
Audiofun

Can you post a more detailed explanation of your thoughts on the Moon DAC? I'm looking for a DAC to use for a computer based audio playback system and I am not familiar with any of this Canadian company's products. Thanks.
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