PS Audio PerfectWave DAC vs Bel Canto DAC3

wow Sgr, i had an almost identical experience. except for your initial feelings that is. i really liked the duo right off the bat. however... i've never owned a set-up even close to your's so my "bar" was set much lower. used a high grade I2S from day one and glad i did (ps audio's silver I2S-12). much better then the other current options. i also upgraded pc's to ps audio ac-5's. they really sounded good together.

i also noticed a slight vibration issue and went with herbie's tenderfoot's as well. took it one step further and finally invested in a nice rack (steve blinn extrawide replaced my target $199 special). all of this along with several weeks of break-in did the trick. it went from great too incredible for me.

can't say i've listened to many really high end digi front ends but i'm certain that the duo is the best i've heard to date.....and not by a narrow margin. it still blow's me away every time i have a listening session. when paired, tweeked and hooked up right...the duo offers jaw dropping performance imo and one i can't get enough of.

cheers buddy

Lev

Thanks to all who responded. I have now listened to the Bel Canto gear with the Joseph Audio RM25XL speakers, and the DAC3 did not sound anywhere near as good as the CD2, or as good as I have heard from the PW DAC through Triangle Quartet speakers or the Ayre QB9 through Focal 1007Be speakers on previous separate auditions. Yes, the speakers are all different, but roughly the same class. The Bel Canto DAC3 certainly did not inspire the same enthusiasm for computer audiophilia as did the PW or QB9 did when I auditioned them.

Now I just have to decide on a stereo power amp for the PW Dac. The one I heard with the Triangles was the Simaudio Moon W5.3, but I'm interested in recommendations of other good amps to audition with a less hefty price tag.

If you don't want something new, but a classic stereo amplifier that sounds great, check out a used Krell KSA-250. It is perhaps one of the best Krells yet designed that has the Krell slam and magic in the bass, a tubelike midrange, and smooth treble. I think you'd have to spend a lot of money to find something better. It more than holds its own with most stuff today.