PS Audio PWD MkII vs W4S DAC2

Cymbop,

It *is* amazing how good Pandora sounds via Native X on a Squeezebox Touch. The MOG 320 is also great. I fool friends all the time who think it's a cd and ask to see the liner notes.

One caution: make sure your setting is always on Native X. Sometimes it switches out due to user error or after powering on and off.

I concur with everyone on the Hifi Tuning fuses as well. For the price, I don't think you can beat this unit.

Cymbop,

Just saw your question. Yes, more than ever. It has become a permanent part of my audio family. I don't think much about it, which is the highest compliment I can pay a component. Just groove to the sounds.

I don't use USB; only AES/EBU (Stealth Sextet) and PDIF (Kharma Grand Ref). May try USB with Internet radio and Samsung netbook just to hear what it's like.

Good luck.

Neal

Cymbop, I have a similar setup with a Touch. Only use digital out to PWD for SqueezeNetwork internet radio. From my experience, sound is superior with the bridge but very very acceptable with Touch.

Several suggestions:

1. Upgrade fuses in PWD
2. Get a good PC. You can pick up a HiDiamond P3 on Agon at good price. In system, I actually prefer P3s to Elrod Statements and easier to use.
3. Replace the Touch DPS with a LPS. Improves sound and lowers the noise level of your system. I got one from Channel Island.
4. With bridge, hardwired is superior to wireless. I found AQ made a huge improvement over generic ethernet cable.

I'm using PWD NOT budgetary reasons but it sounds excellent in my system. I plan to keep mine for a while too. Buy with your ears and NOT ...

While on the PWD MKII DAC topic, has anyone loaded the latest firmware (2.4 something)? Before I make the move, interested to hear comments. Yes, it can be reversed, but it is a pain tooling with these things.

Neal

While on the PWD MKII DAC topic, has anyone loaded the latest firmware (2.4 something)? Before I make the move, interested to hear comments. Yes, it can be reversed, but it is a pain tooling with these things.

Yes, I'm using Bridge Version:0.2.14f and DAC Version Mark II:2.4.3

These are the latest. This bridge version is more stable. 2.4.3 is the best sounding DAC version so far.

it's very easy to change Dac firmware, just download and copy to the SD Card.

To update bridge firmware, on PWD panel, scroll to Network bridge page and hit Update.

On PS Audio site, there's Official PS Audio PWD Firmware Download and Instructions - See more at: http://www.psaudio.com/vanilla/discussion/6438/official-ps-audio-pwd-firmware-download-and-instructions-direct-link#sthash.EyrUGKQ8.dpuf

BTw, the latest eLyric iPhone and iPad app doesn't work with ios7 so i've been using plugPlayer FYI