PS Audio PerfectWave DAC Upgrade

My upgrade kit arrived a couple of weeks ago. The upgrade process was no problem. My DAC is an early one, and there were a few details that didn't match the video or booklet, but it didn't create any problems. The DAC upgrade in my view is a subtle improvement, but worth the money to an audiophile looking for improvements in an affordable form. I would say there is an improvement in clarity of detail, most of all.

Coincidentally, I've been fortunate to be a Beta tester for Steve Nugent's Empirical Audio Off-Ramp 5 USB converter. This version, which I suspect will be available shortly, will deliver I2S to the PW DAC. It has a few technical issues he is ironing out, but holy cow what a leap forward. I've used the Off-Ramps since version 1 because of the their superiority with USB and currently use version 4 with upgraded clocks. Until now, the output to the PW DAC has been spdif or aes/ebu, which is pretty remarkable anyway. But via I2S it is stunning. The sound is more dynamic, voices are better delineated, everything is more vibrant. And the bass is better. That's what surprised me most. Bass seems to be tighter, crisper. I also have a bridge and felt that the Off-Ramp 5 via I2S bested the bridge in sheer dynamics and transient attack. With the Off Ramp 5 via I2S and the upgraded PW DAC, this is the best I've ever heard from my system.

I responded to your questions this morning, but for some reason its not been posted yet. Here it is again - maybe this one will get posted quicker.

I use USB for two reasons: First, its 100% reliable. No network issues, no dropouts, no flaky software, and it can sound superb when done right. Second, I like the option of the digital outputs from the converter so I can run other devices (like a DAC/headphone amp, for example).

The PS Audio-compatible I2S is available in the Off-Ramp 5, which I know Steve is tweaking right now. I'd be surprised if it can be retrofitted to older units, but that's a question best addressed to him.

Two reasons I use USB: First, its 100% reliable. No dropouts, no network issues, and no flaky software, and with the right converter it sounds superb. Second, I like having the digital out options on the Off-Ramp to feed other devices (like a DAC/headphone amp, for example).

The I2S in hdmi format will be part of Nugent's new Off-Ramp, the 5. I'd be very surprised if any of his older units can be retrofitted, but that's a question best addressed to him.