Weiss 501 DAC

I have found the Antipodes K50 and Oladra are a step up from the internal streamer.  If you have an external server, K22 as an endpoint would likely be a step up.  

@vinylvalet excellent. Good to hear. I have no complaints going directly into the 501, but one always wonders if the grass is greener. I have a fiber connection to a Sonor to Shunyata Ethernet cable to the Weiss for Roon. Head and shoulders above the USB connection coming out of my Allo Raspberry Pi which I use for Airplay and Spotify when I want background music.

I recently bought a new Weiss 501MKII DAC and during the 400+ hours of (required) burn-in I tested several power cables:

• Kemp Electronics Reference (no longer made I believe) (with Furutech connectors)
• Audioquest Tornado Source (with standard connectors)
• Crystal Cable Diamond (first series) (with ETI connectors)
• Crystal Cable Ultra2 Diamond (with ETI connectors)
• and finally Furutech DPS-4.1 (with Furutech 50 NCF connectors)

All in all, I conclude (subjective, I know) that the 501MKII is largely dependant for sound on the quality and matching of the power cable – it can be inductance, resistance or capacitance: I do not know but clearly the Furutech DPS-4.1 is the winner.

The Crystal Cable Ultra2 Diamond was not fully broken-in, so it might not be completely fair to assess this cable premature, but the sound was too analytical and bright to me. The Kemp Electronics and the Crystal Cable Diamond (fully broken-in) were simply not good enough in terms of distortion/noise  levels.

The DPS-4.1 is the only cable - which I tested - that delivers a musical sound in terms of tonality, small variations of music tempi and an atmospheric feel.

Also, the Audioquest Tornado was listenable but the transparency was very limited – especially compared to the Ultra2 Diamond and - of course - the DPS-4.1.

Do any of you 501 owners have similar experiences with the sensitivity of the Weiss 501 DAC (MKI or MKII) to differences in alternating the connected power cables?

Thanks!

Yes!  And it is beyond weird.  I first ran Cullen Crossover ll with good results.  Onto Zavfino Prima, yet better.  Then onto your aforementioned combo.  Bang on!  I've no technical explanation, only my ears.  It's just right.  

I run an entire loom of Furutech 4.1.  Listen on man.  Cheers

@adriaan I only tried Shunyata Delta and Alpha NR 2 PC. Both significantly opened up the sound stage and increased separation. I ended up choosing the Delta because it left a bit more meat on the bones and is what I’ve been running for a year or so. I sure am keen to know how the MK II compares to the MK I—I’ve been considering an upgrade.