W4S DAC

@fanofmsu 

I use the IFI Power X to power the Recovery DC in place to the Wyred wall wart.  Added liquidity and reduced grain slightly.  It is still a switching supply but I was not going to spend more on a linear supply for only powering the Recoveries.  You also should replace the computer grade USB pig-tail that comes with the ISO with a 1/2 to 1 foot USB of your choice.  I personally use WyWires Platinum full loom. Alex at WyWires is wonderful and his cables sound great.  He made a 1 foot USB and there was an audible improvement in liquidity, dynamics, and timbre.  You need to burn in the Recovery at least 200 hours.  It will sound grainy with digital glare upon initial installation but with a better power supply and USB, and with burn in, the overall improvement of using the Recovery ISO and DC combination is just as published be Wyred … quieter background, increased detail, increased macro and micro dynamics, better imaging, deeper stage, and better timbre.  This was the most cost effective tweak  I have installed. Since this hobby is subjective and one of degree, I hope you find improvement as I have.  Good luck and good listening.  

I agree the Wyred 10th Anniversary  DAC does not get enough attention on these pages.  It is a bargain.    I using a 10th for years in a high resolution system and have been very happy.  The 10th is a much better performer in all SQ attributes than the V2SE.  So if you are considering a Wyred DAC go with the 10th.  I was upgrading my system recently (past 3 months) and compared the 10th head to head to the Mola Mola Tambaqui (3x the price) and DCS Bartok Appex (5x the price. Let me start by saying both DACs were better. There was better clarity expressed as increased detail, and better staging and imaging due to less thickness and more clarity in this spaces between performers. Dynamics (micro and macro) were better but to a lesser degree. I found the 10th to be competitive in image density, timbre and that intangible parameter -expression of emotion to draw you into the performance.  Tambaqui still had the edge but not by much.  The Bartok presented a less palpable and dense image. Lighter if you will. But we all know our decisions are based on degree of price/performance ratio and personal preference.  To me, I made a decision to keep the 10th and upgrade my amplification (from an old Krell KRC HR - KSA 300s to a Burmester 032 integrated).  The degree of clarity and sophistication of the sound trumped the change in the DAC.  I have not compared the 10th to other DACS in its price range.  I am sure they perform better in some areas in not all.  Listen and make the decision yourself.  For me, I feel the 10th excels in that intangible of letting you connect to the performance better than most at its price point while admittedly being bettered in some areas of performance. 

@navyachts 

I hope you picked this up in viewing my system and I should have mentioned I use the 10th with the Wyred USB ISO and DC Recovery products.   The reclocking USB and DC filters further increase performance by lowering jitter further removing digital glare, lowering noise floor providing better retrieval of secondary harmonics and decay as well as imaging and staging, and more liquidity.  Ditch the supplied pig tail USB and wall wart and use you favorite cable and after market switching or linear 5V DC supply.  I found the improvement notable.  I did not do the head to head comparison with the 2 Recovery in line.  Should have. Of course there are better reclockers and linear power supplies but this was an improvement at a reasonable spend.  Recommended.  

@magnuman 

I confirm your observation that the improvement was to a degree equivalent as changing a major component.  While this may seem like a theme, the Podiums produced better clarity, less background noise, better imaging and staging, and more detail retrieval, especially base detail, and better micro and macro dynamics.  I believe in vibration isolation.  All electronics are isolated with a number or products as well as the Podiums for the speakers.  I found better performance with the speaker spikes left on rather than the recommended set-up with spikes off and direct speaker contact with the Podiums.  However, I am sure this is speaker and room dependent and you should conduct your own evaluation. 

@magnuman 

My evaluation of the Tambaqui and Bartok indicated these more modern DACs are better in some if not most  areas at 3-5 times the spend. In others parameters, it’s a wash.  In the intangible parameter of whether the equipment lets you connect with the performance, ( and is that not what we are after), I find the 10th organic, dynamic, and true to timbre in an “ analog” way.  I hate that cliche but there it is.  @navyachts that is a personal preference. My recommendation is to audition in your own system.  You may or may not agree.  That’s the point. Let your own ears decide. The Tambaqui is the best I have heard at an insane but reachable price point. After I recover from the amplification upgrade and save my pennies, I may have another bout of insanity and go for it.  But that is long off and I will remain happy and thankful for now. 

@mofojo 

R2R ladders have the buzz in this forum.  With respect, it is not the D/A conversion format that matters but the execution of the design intent. Some of the best DACs use OEM chips or proprietary technologies.  For example, the Tambaqui and Wadex Reference (6 $ figures) use proprietary code and technology.  The Solution 760 (high 5 $ figures) uses chip technology (Burr Brown). The Bricasti M21 offers both chip and ladder for different playback formats.  So performance can not be connected just to conversion format but rather to the execution of the design intent at any price point. Decisions are personal preference.  Some feel chip DAC designs are too forward compared to Ladders.  I personally find ladders too laid back with less dense images.  Admittedly, I have not done enough  head to head evaluations to consider my observation an axiom, but of the evaluations I have conducted it seems to be the case.  Some love the laid back presentation.  To each their own. Choose based on audition, not on what is published.