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Weiss DAC2 or W4S or PWD or Zodiac + or . . .

I'm currently using a Benchmark DAC1 USB fed from fanless, SSD equipped Windows box on a wired network. Playback software is *cringe* iTunes. Music is on a Netgear Ready NAS NV+ in aiff format (but will probably start re-ripping w/DBPoweramp). I'm also playing around with a Cullen Circuits modified Sonos feeding the Benchmark via S/PDIF. I'm using a Crimson 710 pre into Crimson 640E monobloc amps feeding Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor speakers although I may be upgrading those as well.

If I end up with the Weiss I'll probably get a Mac Mini and run something like Amarra. If I go with the PWD I'll try the Bridge. Otherwise I might stick with the PC and try JRiver or something.

So how around it? One of these or something else?
m3pilot
4est
507 posts
 
If you are on Windows, you really ought to spring for J River or XX Highend.

Although it has been around awhile, my Weiss DAC2 got me off the merry go round by being the first DAC that really sounded like music to me. That included the likes of the Berkley Audio Designs Alpha.
mihaitaa
111 posts
 
I do have W4S DAC-2 fed async USB from a notebook, Windows 7, running foobar playing FLAC.
Superb sound, absolutely no complaints. Much better than the Benchmark via S/PDIF I used to have before with the same setup. YMMV.
erikminer
433 posts
 
Might also want to consider the Resolution Audio Cantata
http://resolutionaudio.com/
m3pilot OP
12 posts
 
Thank you all for the comments.

The Cantata looks interesting but a bit pricey. I did have an Opus 21 CD player a couple year ago and wasn't "in love" with it. It seemed a little polite on music that is less so. I was using it direct into my amps at the time so maybe that had something to do with it.
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