PerfectWave Bridge

[ChrisG]

Originally Posted by two dot

Do we have any perfect wave users here besides Howie?

Anyone else planning on getting this?

I own a PWD and I'm in the Bridge beta testing program. Bridge is connected to a wired LAN and my music is on an HP Windows Home Server; I use Asset UPnP as the server.

Previous streaming music experience was/is a Cullen modded Sonos ZP80 and a Linn Akurate DS w/ Dynamik power upgrade. Pre/pro is a Classe SSP-800 and my amplification is Parasound (JC-1s for the mains and an A51 for center and surrounds) -- looks like I have to change my signature since I replaced the the W4S amps and the Audyssey.

The PWD is connected to the Classe via balanced BJC and I've had the PWD for a while and have had the Bridge in the house for a couple of weeks. I am using the PSA app, tagNplay, on my iPad which is somewhat similar to the Sonos app in feel and functionality. tNp is an UPnP app so it can work with any UPnP server/player and I have used it on my Linn and it works well.

As you'd expect, this being a beta test, there are some bugs to be worked out both with the app and getting the Bridge to play nicely with all of the different storage options as well as the different media servers that are available. PSA has been very quick and responsive about firmware and app updates. In the two weeks or so we've been testing, there has been one firmware update and I believe 3-4 app updates to correct items we've discovered or to improve functionality.

The firmware updates are done over the internet -- you sign into your PWD's web interface from your computer and update the software; it went very smoothly. tNp updates will be done through iTunes once officially released.

It does sound very good...I haven't tried a head-to-head against the Linn yet, but it definitely trumps the Sonos run directly via SPDIF into the Classe. What I like about the PSA solution, besides the sound, is they are trying to put out a system that can work with other parts (you pick your storage, your app, ripping software, etc.) or you can buy the complete package from them.

Compare this to Linn where you get a DS player and then have to go get your storage, app, ripping software, etc. from other vendors...they don't even make their own app to control the DS players, all are 3rd party. Granted, you can pay your friendly Linn dealer to do all of this for you if you don't know how, but I think the PSA system once completed, should be pretty plug & play if you are not comfortable doing this yourself.

If you go to the PSA discussion forums, you'll find some instructions on how to be given access to the tester's blog if you want to see what's developing. Just remember, this is a beta blog and, as such, there are bugs that have to be worked out. The blog was originally public, but they closed it because some people were freaking out because there were issues and they shouldn't have freaked -- we're testing! . I doubt very seriously that any of the issues we are experiencing and reporting on will be in the release version of the Bridge and app.

[JSCC]

Originally Posted by Still-One

Sounds like you have been snake and got the Venom from those Diamondback's, Copperhead's, King Cobra's, Anaconda's, and Python's.

No Jim, just "venomed" .... as this is their cheapest power cable, fully molded. Cost like S$200 for 1.5m. Dont think I can get one Tranparent power cord for this kind of pricing.

Anyway, I only needed 4 pieces. And because I had to have 2x2.5m for the speakers, ended up paying S$1.1k for all 4. Not bad as compared to not even one previous Cardas Reference I owned before.

As for interconnects, I am using the "leftover" cheaper Cardas Quadlinks. Dont sound too bad at all.

Unless like Howie, I ditched the Meridian setup and start looking around again, say an MBL Reference system, its very unlikely I will ever venture into cables and interconnects again.

Cheers!

[Still-One]

Originally Posted by ChrisG

I own a PWD and I'm in the Bridge beta testing program. Bridge is connected to a wired LAN and my music is on an HP Windows Home Server; I use Asset UPnP as the server.

Previous streaming music experience was/is a Cullen modded Sonos ZP80 and a Linn Akurate DS w/ Dynamik power upgrade. Pre/pro is a Classe SSP-800 and my amplification is Parasound (JC-1s for the mains and an A51 for center and surrounds) -- looks like I have to change my signature since I replaced the the W4S amps and the Audyssey.

The PWD is connected to the Classe via balanced BJC and I've had the PWD for a while and have had the Bridge in the house for a couple of weeks. I am using the PSA app, tagNplay, on my iPad which is somewhat similar to the Sonos app in feel and functionality. tNp is an UPnP app so it can work with any UPnP server/player and I have used it on my Linn and it works well.

As you'd expect, this being a beta test, there are some bugs to be worked out both with the app and getting the Bridge to play nicely with all of the different storage options as well as the different media servers that are available. PSA has been very quick and responsive about firmware and app updates. In the two weeks or so we've been testing, there has been one firmware update and I believe 3-4 app updates to correct items we've discovered or to improve functionality.

The firmware updates are done over the internet -- you sign into your PWD's web interface from your computer and update the software; it went very smoothly. tNp updates will be done through iTunes once officially released.

It does sound very good...I haven't tried a head-to-head against the Linn yet, but it definitely trumps the Sonos run directly via SPDIF into the Classe. What I like about the PSA solution, besides the sound, is they are trying to put out a system that can work with other parts (you pick your storage, your app, ripping software, etc.) or you can buy the complete package from them.

Compare this to Linn where you get a DS player and then have to go get your storage, app, ripping software, etc. from other vendors...they don't even make their own app to control the DS players, all are 3rd party. Granted, you can pay your friendly Linn dealer to do all of this for you if you don't know how, but I think the PSA system once completed, should be pretty plug & play if you are not comfortable doing this yourself.

If you go to the PSA discussion forums, you'll find some instructions on how to be given access to the tester's blog if you want to see what's developing. Just remember, this is a beta blog and, as such, there are bugs that have to be worked out. The blog was originally public, but they closed it because some people were freaking out because there were issues and they shouldn't have freaked -- we're testing! . I doubt very seriously that any of the issues we are experiencing and reporting on will be in the release version of the Bridge and app.

Chris

Thanks for the update. I read in last months PS Audio Newletter about the Beta testing and it is great to have someone here posting about their experience. I look forward your your comments as things progress. Jim

[KahunaCanuck]

Originally Posted by ChrisG

I own a PWD and I'm in the Bridge beta testing program. Bridge is connected to a wired LAN and my music is on an HP Windows Home Server; I use Asset UPnP as the server.

Previous streaming music experience was/is a Cullen modded Sonos ZP80 and a Linn Akurate DS w/ Dynamik power upgrade. Pre/pro is a Classe SSP-800 and my amplification is Parasound (JC-1s for the mains and an A51 for center and surrounds) -- looks like I have to change my signature since I replaced the the W4S amps and the Audyssey.

The PWD is connected to the Classe via balanced BJC and I've had the PWD for a while and have had the Bridge in the house for a couple of weeks. I am using the PSA app, tagNplay, on my iPad which is somewhat similar to the Sonos app in feel and functionality. tNp is an UPnP app so it can work with any UPnP server/player and I have used it on my Linn and it works well.

As you'd expect, this being a beta test, there are some bugs to be worked out both with the app and getting the Bridge to play nicely with all of the different storage options as well as the different media servers that are available. PSA has been very quick and responsive about firmware and app updates. In the two weeks or so we've been testing, there has been one firmware update and I believe 3-4 app updates to correct items we've discovered or to improve functionality.

The firmware updates are done over the internet -- you sign into your PWD's web interface from your computer and update the software; it went very smoothly. tNp updates will be done through iTunes once officially released.

It does sound very good...I haven't tried a head-to-head against the Linn yet, but it definitely trumps the Sonos run directly via SPDIF into the Classe. What I like about the PSA solution, besides the sound, is they are trying to put out a system that can work with other parts (you pick your storage, your app, ripping software, etc.) or you can buy the complete package from them.

Compare this to Linn where you get a DS player and then have to go get your storage, app, ripping software, etc. from other vendors...they don't even make their own app to control the DS players, all are 3rd party. Granted, you can pay your friendly Linn dealer to do all of this for you if you don't know how, but I think the PSA system once completed, should be pretty plug & play if you are not comfortable doing this yourself.

If you go to the PSA discussion forums, you'll find some instructions on how to be given access to the tester's blog if you want to see what's developing. Just remember, this is a beta blog and, as such, there are bugs that have to be worked out. The blog was originally public, but they closed it because some people were freaking out because there were issues and they shouldn't have freaked -- we're testing! . I doubt very seriously that any of the issues we are experiencing and reporting on will be in the release version of the Bridge and app.

Chris, thanks for the review, how would you say the PS DAC compares to the DAC in the SSP 800?

Thanks!

Mike

[ChrisG]

Originally Posted by KahunaCanuck

Chris, thanks for the review, how would you say the PS DAC compares to the DAC in the SSP 800?

Thanks!

Mike

Sorry for the late response. When I first got the PWD, I ran my Sonos ZP-80 through it and then the PWD into the Classe. I soon discovered that there wasn't much of a difference either way. I can say, though, that playing Redbook, with the Bridge, the PWD trumps the Sonos and Classe combo. PSA has done a nice job...Bridges are shipping and they still have a few bugs, but they're going to sell a lot of these

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by ChrisG

Sorry for the late response. When I first got the PWD, I ran my Sonos ZP-80 through it and then the PWD into the Classe. I soon discovered that there wasn't much of a difference either way. I can say, though, that playing Redbook, with the Bridge, the PWD trumps the Sonos and Classe combo. PSA has done a nice job...Bridges are shipping and they still have a few bugs, but they're going to sell a lot of these

PS Audio products are Hot, virtually everything is backordered!

[kana813]

Got my Bridge works great, no PC required:

WD HD/WNDR3700-Cat5-PSAudio PWD/Bridge/tagNplay

[Hammie]

I'm seriously considering adding the PWD with Bridge by years end. Reviews are very hard to find. I was wondering if anyone is still using it and if not, why?

I see some have said they either had one or were planking on getting one, but few have them in their signature.

Have all the bugs been worked out? This seems like the device for me but I just want to make sure I have all my bases covered before committing to it.

Thanks!

[Masterlu]

Hammie... Welcome to AA!

[Hammie]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

Hammie... Welcome to AA!

Thanks!

I'm loving the site so far and looking forward to contribute to discussions.