The New PS Audio PWD MKII

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

Hello Jdoris, thank you for your response. I had been using a USB connection. Beyond plugging in the cables as instructed I am lost I am sad to admit. I live in the LA area and tried unsuccessfully to find an "expert" tech. person that I could hire to get me back on the right track and be a go-to person when I run into problems. No such luck so far.
Until I am convinced that there is a product out there that is relatively easy to use and does not require one to be a computer engineer I will live with the inconvenience of manually finding my CDs and playing them.

The only setup for me was plugging the CAT5 cable to my PWD MKII. If using wireless, just connect to a wireless bridge.

All my music have been ripped to a hard disk and running Logitech Media Server with all my Logitech products. So after I bought the elyric app, it found my PWD and Media Server after launch.

Like I said earlier, the only manual step is installing the new bridge firmware. The latest firmware improved the sound dramatically and SURPRISED it was not installed by PS Audio before shipping. The old firmware doesn't do auto updates but future updates should be just selecting GO on the menu. :-)

Goldmanjay, I suggest find a tech savvy friend to help you. What's the current state of your components?

Goldmanjay,

You may want to look into single box solutions, like the Olive server, or get something like the Bryston server and connect it to a DAC. These are the more foolproof solutions. Better results can be had for less money if you build your own, but there is always the risk of getting stranded.

I think the current price / performance / usability leader is PC based system with Jriver 17 and JRemote (and a good CD ripping program), but you need to configure it yourself. It is not that hard, but easy to screw up nonetheless.

Turn-key servers are there for guys like you.