2. digital
  3. 1281447014

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
devilboy
1,176 posts
 
Anyone compare a DAC-2 to a Weiss Minerva? I may have to sell my Minerva and wanted to find the best/cheapest replacement. The Wyred is on my list. I have a Minerva and a ESS Sabre DAC (peachtree Nova), in my system right now and have been A/Bing them side by side. I know the ESS DAC in the Wyred is better than the one in the Nova, but how much better? Obviously, the Minerva beats the DAC in the Nova, but I was just curious.
lewinskih01
909 posts
 
I believe the DAC2 review in 6moons compared it to the Minerva (or was it Weiss DAC2?).
Anyway, in one these DAC threads around here someone mentioned he sold a Minerva and replaced it with a Wyred DAC2. Maybe look around in the last 5 days or so.
face
516 posts
 
Devilboy, the Nova doesn't even come close to Wyred's DAC-1 or 2.
douglas_schroeder
3,281 posts
 
No one should expect the Nova's internal DAC - the 24 bit ESS chip - to compare equally to the 32 bit ESS used in the W4S. This is basic; the 32 bit is going to have the basis for a much better conversion and will have an advantage going up against most 24 bit DACS. I point this out in my EE Minimax review.

I reviewed the Nova.
edge22
31 posts
 
Devilboy,

I am curious how you would compare the Minerva to the Nova. I realize that you said the Minerva obviously beats the Nova (which is what I would have expected), but I am interested in how much of a difference there really is -- fairly subtle? night-and-day?

The reason that I am asking is that I have the Peachtree iDecco (which is the same DAC as the Nova) and am trying to get a feel for what a realistic expectation of improvement would be if I moved up to a higher quality DAC and would there be much "bang for the buck."

Thanks!
More to discover