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I thought I had my mind made up about purchasing, but I seriously keep researching and there is just so many options. I'm really close to pulling the trigger on the w4s-dac2. I will be using the setup only for mixing and mastering purposes, and I've read so many great things about clarity and the performance of this product, but wanted to check with you guys and get your opinions first?
The amp following the DAC is not something I'm worried about as i've done plenty of research and will easily make that decision after I decide upon a DAC. If its relevant, i'm using my HD800's with this setup.
When I bought my HD 800 three years ago I used it with the Grace m902b (since upgraded to the new m903).
These are designed specifically as studio monitor controllers - the DAC is one of the best around and the analogue amplifier is superb.
Yes, Grace tell me that about 60% are sold to audiophiles, but it was designed first and foremost as a professional monitoring tool.
I bought my HD 800 for the same reason as you - for mixing and mastering.
I record live on a Nagra VI - monitoring through the Grace with Geithain RL906 monitors and the Hd 800 (open) and HD 25-1 (closed) headphones.
I edit and master on Sequoia and monitor through the Grace with the Geithains and HD 800.
It works very well.
I originally bought the Grace on the recommendation of a friend, who does a large amount of recording for Classic FM and a few record labels - though he, eventually, went for the larger and more expensive m904.
The HD 800 with the Grace m903 does make an excellent mastering and monitoring combination and is what I use myself. It's natural and revealing, it does not have a sound of it's own, but tells you all you need to know about the recording.
For your use you do not want a "nice sounding" combination, but something that is revealing of the source - something that tells you exactly what is going on so you can make the correct decisions to get the best sounding recording you can - and the HD 800 / m903 does exactly this. The fact that it also sounds great when you get it right is a bonus.
