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Weiss is so underrated

I have had the Weiss DAC 202 in my system for about a year now being used in a very ambitious and high resolution system. But then I got that typical audiophile itch and given that this DAC was the lowest priced component in my system, I thought that it was time for me to focus on a new DAC. So with the help of some friends and a local deal I got the following DACs to try in my system for an extended period of time: Berkeley Audio DAC 2 + Alpha USB, Calyx Femto, PS Audio PerfectWave DAC2 and DCS Vivaldi.

The Berkeley was the most analog sounding DAC and had great image focus. In comparison when inserting the Femto I could immediately hear a slight loss of focus on the location of instruments or voices. The Berkeley also has a very little electronic signature in high frequencies which is very impressive, especially at this price point.

The Femto DAC is quite an impressive machine with a well balanced sound. It is a substantial leap over the PS Audio DAC in every way. The Femto has a sound that should work well in virtually any system although it is a little on the dry side. But ultimately it's lack of tight focus of images bothered me.

While the Berkeley has a terrific analog sound and no matter how much you dissect it there is very little if anything that one can fault about his DAC, there is something about it that I found just doesn't suck you into the music. I often found my attention wandering and being distracted while listening to it.

The Vivaldi is by far the most expensive in the group and while it was impressive at a lot of things, in particular how it was able to remain composed during complex passages, it has a certain bright sound that just sounds very artificial to me. It has that sound that is remarkable for audiophile demo discs, but when just listening to music you enjoy I found it to be disappointing overall.

The PS Audio doesn't even come close to any of the DACs in this group. It sounds lifeless, flat, and dull in comparison. Any experienced listener will hear this right away. Beautifully made machine with great specs, but it just doesn't deliver the musical goods at all. I would say that it sounds like kind of how CD players sounded in the early 90s.

But let me tell you, the Weiss despite its relatively low price point beat every DAC in this group, including the mighty Vivaldi. It's soundstage is absolutely massive, much wider and deeper than the other DACs which makes it feel like you are listening in a much larger space (the opposite of Berkeley). And then it also has this incredible airiness that is very special to hear. Images float on silky smooth and airy presentation which is supported by a very dynamic foundation. It is just a thrill to listen to this DAC. The bass is also the most dynamic (although not very deep) that I heard which gives everything far more rhythm and pace.

So the conclusion is the Weiss 202 is a very serious piece of equipment, a remarkable bargain, and probably one of the best DACs out there regardless of price. Has anyone else done an direct A/B comparison with the Weiss? Does your opinion mirror mine?
dweinstein
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,403 posts
 
"But all things being equal, it goes without saying that if we replace all the parts inside the Weiss with more premium parts then the sound would be even better."

Actually, I think there is no evidence, one way or another, about that at all. Premium parts are nice, but if the parts don't all work well together, premium parts is just wasted money. Many times over the years I have read interviews with designers who pointed out that they listen to all the parts and that the most expensive parts are not necessarily the parts they thought ultimately sounded best.

If money were the issue, I would buy a $400 MyDAC, and sustitute each and every part inside for a premium version, including a premium chassis and case, and then sell it for $7,500.

You do realize the single most expensive part of that $30,000 DAC is no doubt the chassis

However, no one hear is stopping you from spending $30,000. I just seems you are looking for validation for that decision.
levy03
442 posts
 
Dweinstein: thanks for confirming "you'll never get it". if your last post reflects what you got out of my most recent reply....i now understand WHY "you'll never get it". did u even read my reply??....or any of the replies in this thread?? narrow mindedness and refusal to face/address the truth makes you a hopeless cause imo.
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,403 posts
 
"I've really only seen the PS Audio in budget systems by people who are just starting out in audio"

If I recall, the ps Audi dac that is being thrashed about costs $4,000. I really don't think that anyoneis assembling a "budget system" with a $4,000 dac.

Fwiw, thinking a $4000 dac as belonging in a starter budget system is a fascinating insight into the op. to me a starter system can be $1,000 - $1,500 including cables.

No wonder audio as a hobby is far past it's prime.
zavato's avatar
zavato
1,403 posts
 
$42,000 speakers? Yup, different universe. I'm outta here
4orreal
91 posts
 
Dweinstein,
You are making a universal or general statement regarding the PWDII as if because they didn’t sound good to “you” in “your system”, that it would sound like that in every other system. Please note that in every system, synergy among components is a key. The Weiss Dac202 that you are raving about can sound bad in another system. If common sense would prevail here, you would know that one man’s trash is another person’s treasure, and another person’s treasure is someone’s trash. I also think you think anything expensive equals better and the summation of quality parts equals better sound. It is not always true as I have heard less priced components outclass some more expensive ones, and summing quality parts in a box doesn’t automatically guarantee better sound, it is the execution that matters most. I am sure you are aware that some people love the PWDII, so if you had subjected your views to just “your system” and added a statement that even though you did not like the sound of the PWDII in your system, it would probably sound better in another system because there are others who love its sound, you will not be attacked the way you are being attacked now. You should also note that we all have different listening ears, and someone might probably like the sound of the PWDII in “your system” more than the Weiss irrespective of what you and your friends heard.
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