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PerfectWave DAC / Zodiac Gold Shootout Round 1

I got about 250 hours on a Zodiac Gold + Voltikus and did a first round shootout against my PS Audio Perfectwave DAC + Bridge. Source for the Zodiac was Mac Mini over USB. The most level playing fiels setup I could think of was run the PS Audio single ended into the analog input of the Zodiac, match volume levels and run the Zodiac straight into my poweramp. This allows me to do A/B switching on the Zodiac input for a real time comparison.

I do have a Modwright 36.5 LS/PS that I use as a preamp with the Perfectwave, but for unbiased comparison of DACs only, I took this out of the chain alltogether.

Listening to acoustic, "small ensemble" music (mostly Jazz), the Zodiac had a slight edge. I little more air and transparency, but not by a big margin. If I did not own anything yet I would have probably bought the Zodiac and use is as a DAC/preamp.

However, the difference in SQ was small enough that I expect the forthcoming upgrade of the perfectwave dac (in a few weeks) to bring the Perfectwave to the level of the Zodiac. Additionally, I much prefer a network based architecture over USB and love the iPhone controller app (eLyrics) that controls the library for the perfectwave, so ease of use goes to PS audio.

I will do a second round listening session next week with 200 more hours on the Zodiac. I may also run both the Perfecetwave and the Zodiac through the Modwrigh and see what happens. However, as it stands right now the perfectwave stays.

Combined MSRP for a Perfectwave DAC + Bridge + Upgrade + Modwright 36.5 LS/PS is $15K (not including a few grand worth of cabling). You then have 3 chassis' and over 90lbs worth of components.

The Zodiac has the same functionality (if all you need is one analog input), for one third of the price, and is packaged in two small (10 lbs tops) boxes. Sound Quality is pretty close now - not sure what it will be like after the Perfectwav upgrade.

In summary, the Zodiac and perfectwave are both winners, and in a greenfield situation I suspect many would pick the Zodiac over the perfectwave. Those with a sunk investment in PS audio like myself will most likely stay with PS audio, especially now that a major upgrade has been announced.
edorr
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Just completed round 2. I now ran the perfectwave through the Modwright preamp, and the Zodiac through the HT bypass on the Modwright. This allowed me to switch inputs in real time. Note that the MOdwright is a true fully passive bypass - it is not a unity gain running through an active circuit. The Zodiac has now hit the 300 hours mark.

In this setup, I had a slight preference for the PWD + Modwright. Whereas the Zodiac had slightly more "air" in the high ranges, the PWD + Modwright combo had more "body" in the low ranges. This was a particularly interesting contrast on the Rachelle Ferrell "First Instrument" CD. High pitch female vocals, with deep chords on the piano. Vocals slightly more fluid on Zodiac, but more robust Piano on the PWD. Overall the PWD was more musical to me.

Still absolutely amazing how good the Zodiac is at its pricepoint and size of the package, but it will go back anyway.
roscoeiii's avatar
roscoeiii
1,155 posts
 
Edorr,

How about running the Zodiac throught the Modwright, via a preamp input as opposed to the bypass? Will help us figure out if that extra body is due to the Modwright or not.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
I would only keep the Zodiac if it allows me to take out the Modwright for economic reasons (I would pay for the Zodiac by selling the Modwright). So even if the Zodiac + Modwright equals or bests the PWD + Modwright I would keep the PWD. However, it would indeed be intersting to understand what is causing the differences in sound quality so I will try this this evening and report (if I get around to it).
erikminer
433 posts
 
Are you listening to the PWD Balanced or Single Ended?
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Balanced through the Modwright preamp.
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