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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
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.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
I did one final configuration change before sending the Zodiac back. I ran the Zodiac at full output through an active input on the Modwright. In this setup the PWD and Zodiac still sounded different, but I can not conclusively say which one I preferred. I started out with two tracks on which I preferred the Zodiac, but than on another track I preferred the PWD. All in all, this was splitting hairs. To be fair though, the deck was stacked in favor of the PWD + Bridge, because I was using my only balanced input for the PWD. I also used expensive aftermarked powercord for the PWD and stock cord for the Zodiac. Interconnects used on the PWD were also superior, and finally I was using power from a PS Audio regenerator for the PWD, whereas the Zodiac come straight from the wall. So it is fair to conclude that in a true level playing field, the Zodiac is the (slightly) better DAC, with an excellent preamp build in to boot.

I had no hesitations sending it back though because: (1) I really want to try the forthcoming PWD upgrade (2) I hated going back from network streaming to a USB connection, (3) if I need to keep the MOdwright to get the best out of the Zodiac, this would be a big cashflow negative move.
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