Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 review

[Glisse]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

Bikeman71....welcome!

I'm not positive but I think the BDP-95 may already implement the ESS 9018 Sabre DAC, as does the W4S DAC-2. Perhaps somebody with experience with the Oppo players such as Dan aka jdandy could chime in on this. If it does, I'm not sure how much of a performance bump the DAC-2 would provide. Now if you need the multiple digital inputs the DAC-2 provides, that would be another matter...in any event I'm sure you can find some direction here on AA. Welcome again!

Pete

I have an Oppo BDP-95 and a W4S DAC-1. Whilst they may share the same ES9018 DAC chip, to me the W4S DAC sounds better than the Oppo, which is relatively flat (dynamically) and 2 dimensional in comparison to the W4S. They have very different output stages, which will be having a major influence. I am not sure I would spend the extra on a DAC-2 over a DAC-1 if I was using it with an integrated amplifier. Use the savings on a decent digital cable instead.

Whether the difference would be warranted for the OP is harder to judge.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Bikeman71

Please excuse my newbiness. Just splurged on SF Cremonas, MC MA6600, BDP95, and Zu Event cables. I am absolutely loving my new system...in fact, I'm enjoying a local favorite as I write....Midnight Sugar on SACD.

Would this W4S DAC-2 be a compliment to my BDP95? I'm currently running XLR from the transport to my 6600. In the initial review, the user seemed to find a nice change of pace running his MC cd player into the DAC. Would I experience something similar? If this seems to be a good idea, I could then venture into a total digital library simultaneously, which also sounds attractive. If this would work, what would be the best way to deliver the signal from the 95 to the DAC-2?

Many thanks! I am loving this forum!

There is a good thread on this very topic here on AA. Enjoy:

http://www.audioaficionado.org/cd-pl...l-dac-2-a.html

[Vintage Pete]

Originally Posted by Glisse

I have an Oppo BDP-95 and a W4S DAC-1. Whilst they may share the same ES9018 DAC chip, to me the W4S DAC sounds better than the Oppo, which is relatively flat (dynamically) and 2 dimensional in comparison to the W4S. They have very different output stages, which will be having a major influence. I am not sure I would spend the extra on a DAC-2 over a DAC-1 if I was using it with an integrated amplifier. Use the savings on a decent digital cable instead.

Whether the difference would be warranted for the OP is harder to judge.

Very good points here, I cannot vouch for the output stages of the Oppo units. I do know the DAC-2 uses discrete components in the output circuitry, which is a big plus.

Pete

[Bikeman71]

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm trying to decide which way to go first....build the analog system or go all-in with the digital. Vinyl is a different kind of commitment, but requires an active listening experience because of working the table etc. Digital is attractive because it is so easy once it is set up....but will i appreciate what is going on as much? So much to learn and experience.

[Grasshopper]

Originally Posted by Bikeman71

Thanks for the help everyone! I'm trying to decide which way to go first....build the analog system or go all-in with the digital. Vinyl is a different kind of commitment, but requires an active listening experience because of working the table etc. Digital is attractive because it is so easy once it is set up....but will i appreciate what is going on as much? So much to learn and experience.

Bikeman71,

As you contemplate digital vs analog you may want to think of cost as well. For me I don't have an interest in vinyl per se, but I can see a "buyer's market" for LP's. seems if a guy accumulated a good collection they could see an increase in value vs. digital, which is likely to come down in cost.

Digital still wins for me since I have "audio ADD" and can never listen to just one album. I have considered dabbling in vinyl however, since I'd predict value may rise some over time.

My two cents.

[Pider]

Well.... Let me add a W4S DAC 2 review of my own.

I have had one in my system for a couple days now (used, so presumably broken in) and I can tell you that compared to my Schiit Bifrost and Loki, it is a definite step up in the audio quality quotient.

Without trying to be too fancy with the words, what it gave was an immediate sound stage both deeper and wider than the other two. It also was able to hold the instruments or voices in position a tad better, but not by much. What I liked about it was its ability to, how to put this, round out an acoustic guitar string's sound. Does that make sense? It's like you suddenly went from a plucked string that was pleasing to hear from a speaker, but had a flat dimension to it, to a plucked string that was both 3D and in your living room. I was so intrigued with this that I went looking for more examples, and each time, especially with classical guitar pieces, there it was. The same for a double bass.

What I did not like was that the combination of the W4S DAC 2 and the Naim NAIT XS 2 made for some very analytic listening. Very crisp; very detailed; very quick. Hang on to your PRaT hat, little tomato, 'cause you're in for a ride.

It definitely kicks my system up another level, but whether the pairing is right, I'm not so sure. I'm going to live with it for a while more before deciding. Wish I had a D100 or Gungnir or some other DAC in its league for a real time comparison. How does the Bifrost or Loki hold up? VERY WELL. Given the initial costs of each component, I highly recommend a person not pass up the Schiit. Good stuff for the price! But up to the level of the W4S DAC 2? No.

[Vintage Pete]

John....thanks for your input, I find it very interesting. No doubt about it, the DAC -2 is excellent, offering a great value. I find it interesting too since I have been considering a Bifrost for my office system. Space is a consideration in that setup, as well as price. But I'm not in a hurry to decide and I may well opt for a second DAC-2.

I'm also intrigued by the available W4S DA-2 upgrade paths; with the full blown upgrade priced at $1250. It is said to offer a significant sonic improvement over the already excellent performance. I can't speak to your W4S/NAIT pairing, that will be your call. I definitely share your observation on the deep and wide soundstaging offered by the DAC-2.

I may well one day cave in and go for the upgrade....though I've other priorities in front of it. One thing I dread is being without my DAC-2 for the time it would be away for the upgrade. Of course, if I had a second one, that wait would be less painful....

What a slippery slope we are on with this hobby.....

[jdandy]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

What a slippery slope we are on with this hobby.....

[-E-]

Originally Posted by Pider

I can tell you that compared to my Schiit Bifrost and Loki, it is a definite step up in the audio quality quotient.

If this is true, then Schiit stuff is now completely off my radar. /sigh At least Loki for DSD doesn't represent a significant investment...

[-E-]

Originally Posted by Vintage Pete

What a slippery slope we are on with this hobby.....

Isn't that the truth, Pete?

Sometimes it depresses, though. Just like with wine, once you get a taste of the Krug, Cook's just doesn't cut it anymore...