The New PS Audio PWD MKII

I had some issues connecting the Bridge at first only to finally realize the network (cat 5) cable was junk. That one took a while to figure out and I was truly going mad that I couldn't get the bridge to work. Now, I only use the bridge and haven't had an issue with it or Elyric since. I have owned some top notch digital most recently being the Esoteric K01, K03, Simaudio Andromeda, Bel Canto Dac3 etc. etc. and I find the PWD MKII to be excellent as well. I don't know that I would call it a "reference piece" but the sound, interface and convenience are very enjoyable to me. I bought it as I ramped up my analog setup and drifted away from digital. I am now probably 80/20 analog/digital. Sold the mega buck cd player, put 10k in my pocket and have never regretted it. At the used prices on audiogon right now I think the price /performance ratio is huge.

Got my bridge and eLyric working today thanks to arrival (overnight shipping from Amazon) of a new wireless Ethernet bridge. I followed PS Audio knowledge base recommendation and bought a Linksys (Cisco) WES610N 4-port bridge. I was trying to use my Squeezeboxes to bridge to my wireless network but they would not work with the DACII. They did work with the PS Audio Transport though. The Squeezeboxen will bridge any of my other devices but not the PS Audio Bridge/DAC. Anyway I set up the Linksys to use the 5G part of my network, since it has no other traffic. ELyric sees the DAC now and I am streaming my high-res files, something my Squeezeboxes won't do. I chose the option to play all albums gap less and Paul Simon's live NYC concert is playing flawlessly. Much more bass and wider stage with this setup than with my SB Touch into the Northwave USB DAC I was using. Very crisp and detailed. Of course this is also a high res file so not apples to apples. Just glad to have it all working. As a longtime Squeezebox user I know networking issues can take some trial and error to solve. I am no engineer or computer expert either. PS Audio customer service suggested I try using another type of wireless bridge/access point. I like this one because with 4 Ethernet ports both the transport and DAC can plug into it. I was using two Squeezeboxes in my initial attempt to get the PS Audio stuff to talk to each other and my network. This is much cleaner.

Everyone see the new PS Audio dac, 'NuWave'... Interesting. Looking forward to seeing and hearing this dac at RMAF this weekend.

This subject is very timely for me. Here is my dilemma. I have been wanting the ability to easily categorize and access my CD collection by means of computer audio. Thus last year I purchased a Mach2Music Mini Mac, Ayre QB-9, an iomega drive to rip my CDs and 2TB HD for storage. I planned to also use my iPad as a controller.
I am the first to admit that I am not very computer literate so I needed a system which was virtually trouble free. No such luck. The folks at Mach2Music talked me through the initial set-up which I payed extra for and then wanted to charge me for any additional phone support. I think this company has gone belly up. What a surprise. The above components are disconnected not presently in use.

At any rate, I have been considering the PS Audio Dac MK II with Bridge to accomplish my goal. But after reading the various posts I am again hesitant to
involve myself in another project that is costly and likely will lead to further disappointment. Whatever direction I decide to go in must have strong dealer support and assistance when needed.

Any thoughts or opinions would be welcome.

Goldmanjay: What is your connection right now? What exactly is the problem with your set up? (I don't know the Ayre, but I've hear the M2M in an excellent system, and I'd expect your sound to be very good.)

If you are using USB or another hard wired connection, the Bridge is quite unlikely to be simpler. See above.

The general problem, IMO, is that computer engineers are not audio engineers, and vice versa, so grafting of the two technologies has the potential for disaster, esp. if the problem is at the interface of the two, as mine was.

Dedicated "audio computers" like the Wyred might help with this, but you can get hung out to dry, as you did, if the (often small) company fails.

John