The New PS Audio PWD MKII

I've had both in my system recently. The DL III is a nice DAC, but sounds rather poor in comparison to the PWD II, which sounds very fine.

Implementing the PWD II off a computer has the potential for headaches -- in my case, endless headaches -- which is cause for hesitation.

This risk may be endemic when mating a non-audio technology to audio technology, which makes the idea of a purpose built audio server, like the new one from Wyred, seem pretty attractive.

John

With USB the DAC works flawlessly like any other DAC.

Not in my experience.

(Of the PWD II, that is; I've not tried every other DAC.)

Stickman: I run an external hard drive (Lacie) to my MAC Book with USB, and MAC to DAC with USB. With the PWD I, I got a detectable improvement moving from stock to Locus Design Polestar USB. I can't say who the lens effects this issue, since I've not ABed cords with the PWD II.

Goldmanjay: What is your connection right now? What exactly is the problem with your set up? (I don't know the Ayre, but I've hear the M2M in an excellent system, and I'd expect your sound to be very good.)

If you are using USB or another hard wired connection, the Bridge is quite unlikely to be simpler. See above.

The general problem, IMO, is that computer engineers are not audio engineers, and vice versa, so grafting of the two technologies has the potential for disaster, esp. if the problem is at the interface of the two, as mine was.

Dedicated "audio computers" like the Wyred might help with this, but you can get hung out to dry, as you did, if the (often small) company fails.

John