Hello all
Gonna throw in to the thread here...
Now, I don't have the DAC-2, but I picked up the DAC-1 LE version with Femto clock upgrade.
My understanding other than the preamp function the DAC-1 LE is now equivalent to the standard DAC-2 in audio quality, strictly speaking. Or at least close, since its gets the Galvanic Isolation, upgraded USB and DSD support.
I have been on kind of a wild ride with this thing. For awhile things started to get a bit hairy... it was bright and sibilant after starting life a bit on the warm side. But, things seem to have settled in. What I believe I hear now are the hallmarks of neutrality. Good recordings sound just absolutely amazing, but it won't hide problems with poor ones.
Actually, I would say its neutral with just a slight tilt toward mid-range warmth. Which is my preferred sound signature.
I am trying to avoid the temptation for 'upgradeitis'. Gosh, there are lots of nice DAC's out there that I would love to shrink my wallet in exchange. But, the W4S sounds so nice, I am afraid I will regret it if I did replace it.
If anything, I might send it in for the upgrade to the new ESS chip. Reading the reviews of the DAC-2 in this thread have given me confidence that I made a very good choice, and should sit tight and enjoy what I have!