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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
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.
mihaitaa OP
111 posts
 
Thank you, everyone.

Erikminer, I know you had a Cullen PS Audio DLIII which you sold. You sold it to me. ;-) And you're right saying that if I don't buy the DAC2 and go for DAC1 I will always wonder whether I did the right thing or not.

The market has spoken. I got an offer for my MF I said "yes" to. I am a very rare breed, I guess, I sell first when I upgrade, to avoid/limit the tension with my wife which hates my hobby (probably me as well ;-) )

But "Long Live Audiogon". If using the DAC2 directly into my power amp will prove not to be the right thing, there will always be a preamp looking for a new home...

Again, thank you all for your input.
erikminer
433 posts
 
I thought that was you :-) Not to be ahh sexist but most can't tell that the gear has changed, all looks the same to them.. Silence is golden. oh may want to check this out:

http://www.6moons.com/audioreviews/wyred4/dac.html
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