W4S DAC

@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 @jsalerno277 thanks guys, I may just give the DAC a shot!

jsalerno277,

How did you find the improvement to your speakers when you put them on the Townshend podiums? When I did it to my speakers it was a revelation it was as if I had upgraded the electronics to far more expensive gear.

@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.