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Wyred 4 Sound DAC1 or DAC2?

Hello everyone,

I am faced with this question at this very moment. Which of these two to choose?
I have just sold my Cullen Stage IV PS Audio DL3. I liked the unit a lot and thought I won't be letting it go…
I sounded so "right". I had a Benchmark (the non-USB version) before it and for me, the PS Audio was way better.
The same level of detail, if not more, as the Benchmark, but with a less forward presentation and a way stronger and tighter bass.
The highs of the Benchmark, while not harsh at all, were too much in my face and I couldn't stand that.
Also, the preamp function of the Benchmark was a big let-down. Each time I tried it I returned to my Musical Fidelity A3CR preamp.
By no means the preamp in the Benchmark sounded good to me when compared with the MF.
And this is what makes me so undecided now.
Is the preamp section of the W4S DAC2 better than my MF? Is the digital domain volume control a good and transparent thing?
Are there any differences between DAC1 and DAC2 besides the asynchronous USB and digital volume control?
In short, should I buy the DAC1 and keep my MF preamp or should I buy the DAC2 and go directly into the MF A3CR power amp, and maybe upgrade to a balanced amp later on?
My preamp is currently for sale, but I'm doing that half-heartedly, for it sounds very-very good to me and only the fact that I have only one source and don't used any other inputs make me look at it as overkill.
What do you think?
Any comments will be greatly appreciated.
Thank you very much.
mihaitaa
nonoise's avatar
nonoise
10,883 posts
 
Check out the latest review on the Wyred DAC over at 6moons.com.
That should go a long way in answering your question. Or at least add another
perspective.
audiowoman
249 posts
 
I started out by actually ordering their DAC 1 and then changed my mind while chatting with friends (a woman's perogative don't ya know) and called them back and got the DAC 2. We don't do high res files yet, but we might in the future and decided it was better to go for the fully loaded model and be ready. I did have someone tell me that the DAC 2 was a bit better sonically but don't know if that is actually the case. I do know the thing sounds great and I'm hearing details in the music that I have not heard before. Now I just need to figure out how to put high resolution stuff together and I'll be all set.
mihaitaa OP
111 posts
 
Audiowoman,

Are you using the DAC2 as a preamp as well, going directly into a power amp, or there is a separate preamp in between?
audiowoman
249 posts
 
I'm using a Classe Cap151 integrated amp - using the dac alone with a squeezebox and iTunes. Aerial 7 b's, Wireworld digital interconnect, Zu Libtec speaker cables. Squeezebox is using cardas balanced interconnect. I need to update my system and pictures!
erikminer
433 posts
 
Mihaitaa: If you have the money go for the Dac 2, if only because if you don't you'll wish you had. If you find your system sounds better with the MF preamp you could probably sell the Dac 2 for a very little loss and replace with a Dac 1. I have a Dac 1 and am perfectly happy with it since I'm not going to do usb with it and I run into a Rega Elicit integrated which I won't be changing anytime soon. In my main system I have a PS Audio PWD which I'll be using with the Bridge to do HighRes. That also has a preamp and I "may" try that direct at some point. FYI I also replaced a Cullen PS Audio DLIII with the W4S, you won't be disappointed.
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