Review: Wyred 4 Sound DAC-1 DA converter


Category: Digital

I just finished setting this up and am in the process of breaking this unit in. The soundstage this unit renders is fantastic. I am not a huge audiophile like many of the listeners on this forum but I have a pretty descent ear and have been listening to lossless audio files from my home theater computer with a toslink out into my Arcam AV9. I spent quite a bit of time getting the speakers into an optimal listening position and was pretty pleased with the set up. Adding the DAC-1 to the system took it to a completely different level. I listen to a pretty broad array of music and I heard an immediate effect across the board. Soundstage was wider and deeper, female vocals became more "clear", and everything sort of tightened up in a good way. I've never used a DAC before and I thought I would give this one a try due to the reviews the new chip they use is getting. Well worth the $1k price. I have it running from several sources with no problems. The UI is completely intuitive and the unit is very well built. The only improvmeent I would like to see on this unit is a 12v switch becasue I am lazy. Nice work Wyred 4 Sound. Great value for the money.

Associated gear
Sonus Faber Domus, Krell Amp, Arcam AV9,
momo9394
How has the sound changed after how many hours of use? How would you describe noise floor and low-level detail characteristics? Has the soundstage changed after break in? If so, how?
The soundstage is still very deep and broad. I would say the whole thing has mellowed out a bit especially on the highs. Noise floor hasn't changed - pretty low to begin with. I am defintiely impressed with this unit.
Purchased my DAC-1 about a month ago. Using it with new Magnepan 1.7s. I found that the first week or so, the sound rounded out and became very clear although somewhat understated. Vocals as mentioned above are amazing! So clear you feel you hear the artist in front of the microphone in your room.

The unit settled in for the next couple of weeks with about 100 hours on the unit. Now with around 200 or more hours on the unit, it sounds a little more lively then it did at first.

Overall, very detailed, incredibly realistic vocals, piano and most acoustic instruments. Very satisfied.
Thanks to all for your posts. I am seriously considering this unit as an upgrade from my PS Audio DLIII. Are there any limitations or disappointments with the W4S DACs? Thanks for your review.
Hello
The only limitations and disappointments I found with this dac is, "We all have to pay for one"