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Bidat vs. Perfecwave MSB Playback Design

Ok, so here goes. I love my Museatex Bidat. It is not going ANYWHERE. The rub comes in that I want to be able to access high res files. All my files are on HDD in AIFF format. I am torn between the Playback Design dac, the Perfect Wave and the MSB Platinum Dac 3. The problem is I have never had a chance to hear, let alone compare any of the 3 high res capable dacs mentioned. I can not afford to purchase all 3 simultaneously to do a head to head comparison. I wanted to know if anyone has compared any of these dacs to a Bidat. The Bidat (currently and for the last 10 years) has been my reference digital source. I have noticed that when most people compare new dacs they will say things like "the bottom was so much tighter" or "everything is so trasnparent". The Bidat is just "Right"; anyone who has heard the unit will immediately know to what I am referring.
That certain unmistakable ineffiable quality which sounds like ral music; it makes you believe (even if temporarily) that Jane Monheit is in your living room singing directly to you. I have had Wadia and a slew of others and they are all fine machines, but I need the unit I am looking for to have that certain 'life' quality which makes you forget about all the reviews, what other people think and just reside in that special place in yourself where all is right.

Ok, now that I've waxed poetic, any opinions would be greatly apprecited :)

Thanks,

Don
PS>the Dynavox Dynastation II was the ONLY other digital source that I have owned or heard to compete with the Bidat bu alas it was a CD player only thus I got rid of it.
audiofun

Showing 12 responses by vhiner

vhiner
544 posts
 
FYI, I have an MSB Platinum DAC(not the version 3) that belongs to a friend. It's in mint condition (new factory box)and can be upgraded to the III for much, much less than it would cost to buy a new one...in case you or anyone else is interested in buying it and getting it upgraded. It hasn't been listed on a'gon yet because some local guys have been auditioning it.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Audiofun,

Still waiting to hear about your auditions! ;-) Those of us who can't afford an upgrade right now are looking for our vicarious thrills where we can get them. I've seen some really good Perfect Wave deals lately on a'gon and would love to know how it stacks up to the Super Bidat.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Audiofun, Please do post your comparison or email me directly. My Bidat was JUST upgraded this month by John Wright with some brand new mods. It was already amazing with his supermods...and this latest version is even more analog. I'm also getting Moray James' very latest digital cable, which was used by Wright to voice the Bidat mods. I would LOVE to know how the Bidat stacks up to the Playback Design...given that many say the PD beats everything else out there right now.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Audiofun, my modded Bidat took about 100 hours to burn in. A friend of mine in Miami just got his Bidat back from John this week and he'll be comparing it to a Consonance Droplet CDP once the Bidat's broken in. I'll pass along his impressions once I hear. Please email me when your review is posted. This is what makes the hobby so much fun!
vhiner
544 posts
 
Audiofun,

You've probably heard this, but I think you'll be very surprised by what John's mods are going to do for your 'dat. He manages to maintain that analog house sound while bringing enormous, rolling bass and subtle detail into a widened soundstage. I did a shoot out with it and
T + A 's top-of-the-line CDP, which is quite refined, and it was simply no contest. Thanks for keeping us posted.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Njedi,

I ran my Bidat directly into my amplifier for many years. The resolution was amazing, but the "hi-fi" etch was always a problem. I finally started experimenting with tube preamps and was simply floored by the improvement without ANY loss in resolution and articulation. I can't speak for other DACS but the Bidat is best run through a tube preamp or a very, very good solid state preamp. I know a number of other people who have tried skipping the preamp with their DACS and, while there are some advantages (money saving being the biggest) the DAC preamps are generally not up to Class A preamp performance. Just my two cents.
vhiner
544 posts
 
My bidat is the super/plus version and I agree that the DAC is NOT prone to etch compared to other DACS...it's a relative term. Bear in mind that, at the time, I owned Thiel 3.6 speakers, which are, themselves, prone to over articulation. However, even with the Thiel CS3.7's, the Super/Plus bidat sounds better through a preamp. As usual, though, your mileage may vary. I just wouldn't broadly recommend that anyone bypass a preamp...John Wright and Moray James both strongly recommend that the Bidat be used with a preamp. In fact, John refers to the Bidat's volume control function as "flawed" as far as his ears are concerned. FWIW.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Audiofun,

I should add that an amp of your own design puts something in the equation that I know utterly nothing about. If you're talented enough to create your own amp, I'm sure it sounds fantastic as you have it set up.
vhiner
544 posts
 
I'm using the conrad-johnson CT5 right now after the VTL 5.5...tubes are amazing but some people are doing amazing things in solid state.
vhiner
544 posts
 
Njedi,

I think your analysis of the preamp issue is dead on and makes perfect sense. There's no doubt that tubes are a "flavor" and the key is HOW a volume output control on DACs is designed. I've heard that using MSB's proprietary digital interface helps get the best sound out of their gear. Audiofun's testing this year should be very interesting!
vhiner
544 posts
 
I'd like to weigh in here that I replaced my beloved Bidat with the Perfect Wave transport and DAC. If anyone is considering this combo, which I heartily endorse, you should be sure to do several things, otherwise your experience may not be positive. You should use Harmonic Technology's audio only HDMI cable to connect the transport...the difference it makes is critical (as is always the case with things digital) You should also use a high end power cord ( I recommend Shunyata's CX line) All of these factors were equally critical to the Bidat's legendary performance and appears to hold true of all dacs and transports, IMHO.

Finally, as Audiofun points out, burn in is often lengthy and critical. I'm convinced one reason so many DACs are flipped is that people don't break them in properly and then fail to leave them on when not in use. After nearly 20 years of experimenting with dacs and transports, i've concluded that cables, power cords, and break-in are the " holy trinity."
vhiner
544 posts
 
Doug,

I and a number of people I know with $5,000 plus dacs, prefer a high quality preamp over even the best "attenuator" or digital volume control set ups out there. As for the rest of your post, I'm not sure what equipment you're referring to. HIgh quality tube preamps tend to ameliorate a number of digital's shortcomings as well, IMHO.
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