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Just got the PS Audio Perfectwav DAC -- Amazing

For the last year my system has consisted of the Slim Devices Transporter (Transport + DAC) -> Bel Canto Ref1000 -> Anthony Gallo Ref 3.1

I listen to all my music digitally (lossless/flac). I was very happy with my original system but when the Perfectwave DAC came out I was intrigued. For quite a while I debated between the PW and keeping the transporter or modding it via Modwright.

I ended up getting the PW and though I can't compare it to a modded transporter, it blows the stock transporter out of the water. I should note that since the network bridge isnt out for the PW, I am currently streaming music via the transporter -> coaxial out (spdif) -> PW.

I have only listened for ~5 hours so far, but things I have noticed right away is much cleaner/tighter bass. The low end is so much more accurate than it was before. When comparing, the transporter sounded very muddy (even though at the time I though it was quite good). The mids and highs are tighter as well. The separation has improved quite a bit as well. I have immediately noticed that the loudness of different instruments is wider spread than listening to the same songs on the transporter.

Hope this helps! If anyone has any questions about the PW or the transporter I will try my best to answer them.
danyal711

Showing 6 responses by danyal711

danyal711 OP
22 posts
 
Yah, the bridge will definitely be interesting. Right now I have my PW hooked up via spdif coaxial to the transporter which is doing the streaming. I also briefly tried the PWs USB port but havent messed with it long enough to compare it to the spdif.
danyal711 OP
22 posts
 
Ricky64 -- I don't have a preamp. My preamp was the Transporter and is now the PW.

Shadorne -- 1) That could be possible. The XLR of the PW does 6Vrms vs. Transporter 3Vrms. 2) The Transporter / PW controls the volume. So far havent had any problems with it and both have taken a lot of steps to make their software volume processing really good. Not too worried about that. I am trying to avoid a preamp at all costs. I am a fan of keeping the signal path as minimal as possible.
danyal711 OP
22 posts
 
Interesting comments. I didn't know a preamp makes a difference in terms of 3D sound. I may have to demo one to see how it changes my system.

I think I am most interested in how the PW compares to the Modwright transporter though.
danyal711 OP
22 posts
 
I don't know a whole lot about pre amps. I thought that really what you wanted to match was the Vrms out to the Vrms of the amps. The PW does 3Vrms RCA and 6Vrms XLR. The Bel Cantos are 3Vrms XLR and 2Vrms RCA. Currently I have them connected via XLR and don't crank the volume too loud.

Other than helping level these kinds of discrepancies, what does a preamp add? Is it the case that the preamp is simply coloring the sound in its own way which may sound better or worse? Or would a solid pre amp definitely improve the sound / why?
danyal711 OP
22 posts
 
I have a new question... How does the PWT compare to the Linn Klimax DS. Granted the Linn KDS is ~7x the price ($20k) but I want to know how much of that is just for the 'Linn' name / hype. I find it hard to believe that the KDS could be that much better considering it's 2 years old and digital streaming technology is relatively new.

Furthermore Linn provides almost no specs about the KDS (DAC, how it processes the info etc). Maybe the PWT description is all marketing but things like native mode etc seem pretty legit and I doubt the KDS has them.
danyal711 OP
22 posts
 
Mnm-- The Gallos are great. Can't really tell you much about different amps on them because I have only tried the Ref1000s. But with the PWT they are amazing. I am planning on getting the bridge as soon as it comes out, but (currently) regardless of whether it is connected via USB or TOS it sounds far better than the Transporter. Additionally I can't really tell the difference between USB and TOS. I need to listen a bit more though.
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