PS Audio PerfectWave DAC Upgrade

re Berkley vs PWD.
I almost kept the Berkley before I heard the PWD.
I was comparing it to QB9 and Wavelength which both sounded sweet but slightly veiled compared to the Berkley.
My original DAC for almost 20 years was the Meitner Bidat with a few mods over the years to keep the components fresh.
The PWD was closer to a Bidat with a very good update plus the added benefit of Hi-res.
It is just more musical than the Berkley.
I forget I am serving from a computer. Especially with the MKII upgrade. YMMV

What voltage level comes out of the PWD's analog outputs (both XLR and RCA)? Thank you.

several months ago i inquired as to the sonic benefits of the upgrade.

i received , essentially, two answers.

the first, "analogue" sound, the second, a suggestion to try it for myself and return it if i wasn't satisfied.

i wonder if someone could be specific in rwo areas, namely bass and highs.

do the highs seem more extended, or do they sound less sharp ? perhaps almost rolled off ?

does the bass sound deeper or have more impact ??

considering the cost of shipping, twice if i don't care for the upgrade, i would like to have some confidence before i consider the upgrade.

as many know, i prefer a darker sound, and so i wonder if the upgrade goes in that direction ?

Mrtennis, my experience is that the upgrade's effect on sound quality depends critically on which version of the firmware you install after the upgrade. The SD cards that are shipping with the Mk2 board contain firmware version 2.1.0. The sound with this firmware is very extended at both frequency extremes but perhaps a bit too hot in the treble and a bit too clinical...great for a laid back system, but not so great in more highly resolving systems.

The sound quality of the Mk2 digital board is significantly different if you instead install the earlier version of the firmward, version 2.0.2. This is available on the PS Audio website in the "support" section. You just copy these files onto the SD card, replacing the files that are pre-loaded onto the SD card. This can all be done with a $5 SD card reader from Best Buy, Staples, or Radio Shack.

With the 2.0.2 firmware, my guess is that you would really like the Mk 2 upgrade. The main difference I noticed was substantially improved bass, but a mid-range and treble that is still warm and very musical. In other words, real improvement over the Mk1 DAC that doesn't veer towards overly clinical, fatiguing, or bright in any real sense.

Wit both firmware versions, the soundstage of the DAC widens pretty significantly, which is another very noticeable area of improvement. That said, the soundstage of the Perfect Wave DAC is still not all that wide.

I know there has been some debate on the PS Audio forum, with numerous upgraders complaining that they are not happy with the latest firmware version, 2.1.0. In response, PS Audio has allowed owners to download the earlier 2.0.2 version of the DAC firmware to see whether they prefer the earlier version. My impression from the PS Audio forums is that Paul McGowan prefers the latest version 2.1.0, but has kept version 2.0.2 available. Moreover, they are supposedly developing a new version that they hope will be btter than other firmware version.

Anyone have this experience with the Mk. II upgrade?:

I am getting "skips" or brief interruptions in the music, when running a MAC book via USB into the DAC (it really does "sound like vinyl"!). Happens with two different USB cables, but not with a CDP running in via coax. The problem did not happen with the Mk I board, and happens in different places on alternate playings of the same track, so I'm disinclined to blame the MAC or software. Power is dedicated circuit, running through BPT conditioner.

Have been in contact with PSA, but no resolution yet. Thoughts?

Thx,

John