Does anyone own the Wyred4sound DAC 2?

[AppleheadMay]

Quote:

This review is spot on.  The $1,499 price is money well spent on the DAC-2.  Zero regrets.  I imagine this DAC is going to take a significant portion of business from The Benchmarks of this world and also the guy(s) building in their basements who can't - a.) meet even low/moderate demand and b.) refresh a product in a reasonable time frame.  Why screw around with amateurs?  
 
W4S is pro / reference every step of the way from pre-sales questions, to purchase through to enriching listen after listen.  Plus I seldom see post-purchase service and q's handled with such professionalism and dedication.  I'm thinking of ways to give these guys more of my money.  Perhaps the music server?
 

 
Same here re the money.
Their prices are reasonable to say the least and their price policy to sell globally at the same price is nothing but praisseworthy.
It's about time manufacturers start to understand A dollar isn't worth as much as a Euro or in the worst case even 50% more than a Euro.
 
Two things about W4S products that puzzle me a bit htough are :
- The media server. Ok. it's ment to store my music on and can rip as well. If I put it in my living room I can connect it to my Dac to play the music. it is connected to the network but how do I paly back music from it in my second system? I will need a network player for that, no? And the Dac2 isn't one, so will W4S be launching a network player as well?
- Class D amps. I heard the Rotel class D amps and didn't like the sound at all. I'm not too fond of their class AB amps as well, but the class D ones were certainly worse.
Now did W4S manage to make class D sound right? Did anyone hear them yet? And compare them to a good class A/B amp?
 
If they managed to make good class D amps I might go W4S all the way and spend some more on speakers with the money I save by going for W4S.
 
PS: I know the Mint is in my profile, I ordered and paid it and hope it will get shipped from The Netherlands any day now, but there are some delays it seems. So I haven't heard it yet.
 
 

 

[WNBC]

I imagine that the media server will be recognized by your computers that will be spread out your home.  It is simply a shared drive that can be accessed but yes, that means you will need media devices to connect to them.  There are lots of such devices out there today from the Mac Mini to mini laptops to tablets.  I think Denon and Marantz make receivers nowadays that will be able to connect to the W4S media server device.  This evening I can link to the possibilities but I think it will be safe to assume you will multiple options, just depends on how much you want to spend for these accessory hook-ups.
 
Quote:

Two things about W4S products that puzzle me a bit htough are :
- The media server. Ok. it's ment to store my music on and can rip as well. If I put it in my living room I can connect it to my Dac to play the music. it is connected to the network but how do I paly back music from it in my second system? I will need a network player for that, no? And the Dac2 isn't one, so will W4S be launching a network player as well?

 
 

 

[WarriorAnt]

I didn't spent the $1500 on the DAC-2 lightly.  But if you are not going to start with a superior front end source then what is the point of everything else that follows?

 

[WNBC]

It's all part of the audiophile learning process so one might not realize the importance at the start.  Didn't we both start out with that Nuforce uDAC-2?  I moved to the PS Audio DLIII then DAC-2.  Heck, if somebody two years ago would have said I would own a $1500 DAC I would have thought "yeah right, it must also be snowing in Arizona".
 
Quote:

I didn't spent the $1500 on the DAC-2 lightly.  But if you are not going to start with a superior front end source then what is the point of everything else that follows?

 

 

[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

It's all part of the audiophile learning process so one might not realize the importance at the start.  Didn't we both start out with that Nuforce uDAC-2?  I moved to the PS Audio DLIII then DAC-2.  Heck, if somebody two years ago would have said I would own a $1500 DAC I would have thought "yeah right, it must also be snowing in Arizona".

Well I had Mike Moffat's Theta DS Pre Gen III DAC in my system and one crazy day I had an extra 100 bucks to spend so I tried out the Nuforce uDAC-2 only to realize it wasn't any better than the internal workings of my iMac.  That's when I decided it was time to sell the excellent DS Pre and move into the latest generation of DAC's.   Moffit's Theta Ds Pre lasted a long time in my system, at least 16 years so it was time to update.

 

[WNBC]

I forgot about that.  I see those from time to time on Craigslist.  They look big. 
 
Quote:

Well I had Mike Moffat's Theta DS Pre Gen III DAC in my system and one crazy day I had an extra 100 bucks to spend so I tried out the Nuforce uDAC-2 only to realize it wasn't any better than the internal workings of my iMac.  That's when I decided it was time to sell the excellent DS Pre and move into the latest generation of DAC's.   Moffit's Theta Ds Pre lasted a long time in my system, at least 16 years so it was time to update.

 

 

[AppleheadMay]

Quote:

I imagine that the media server will be recognized by your computers that will be spread out your home.  It is simply a shared drive that can be accessed but yes, that means you will need media devices to connect to them.  There are lots of such devices out there today from the Mac Mini to mini laptops to tablets.  I think Denon and Marantz make receivers nowadays that will be able to connect to the W4S media server device.  This evening I can link to the possibilities but I think it will be safe to assume you will multiple options, just depends on how much you want to spend for these accessory hook-ups.
 
 
 

Indeed, a Mac (or PC for the fans) will be able to read from the server, but I'd hate to put another computer between the server and my Dac/network player. Less is better.
 
I know the devices from Marantz and Denon, in fact I have the Marantz one (NA7004). Indeed this thing can read music stored on a server via DLNA/UPnP, different kinds of files but not the one I want, ALAC. I can send ALAC to it via AirPlay but that means downsampling to 16/44.
I can also have server software on my Mac (EyeConnect) that handles highres ALAC and converts it into something the Marzntz can read, but then we have converting.
I want my highres ALAC to go straight and unaltred to the Network Player (or Network Dac one might call it) where it needs to be converted to analog without upsampling even. Then all will be as I like it.  
 
Now Marantz is coming with a new Network Player in their "Premium Range" in a few months. I look forward to see what that thing will be capable of. It will cost €2000 here in Europe, probably less in the US.
There is also the Classe CP-800 which will have a firmware upgrade to 24/192 (async) in a few months as well as a network addon (the port is already there) that will use DLNA/UPnP and AirPlay. The only thing I don't know yet is if will be able to handle ALAC via DLNA/UPnP, but I'm poking them to get the answer, I hope tomorrow.
Then this device will have everything I want, along with 4 outputs + a sub output, configurable like I haven't ever seen before and able to provide signal to my 4 amps at once, this with top grade sound. At a premium price though. But not higher than the PWD with Bridge which is a joke compared to the Classe concerning both SQ and build quality. Yes, I did listen to the Classe extensively two weeks ago and owned a PWD with Bridge before. As another member said who owns/owned both: The Classe simply runs circles around the PWD. At the same price or even a bit less if I remember correctly.
 

 

[WNBC]

Wait a second, you already know a lot about this stuff 

I now see you what you were getting at.  Yeah, I guess it becomes an expensive project because one would need a high-end DAC at each location to read the files from the server.  Yes, this seems true if you want the true hi fi experience.  
So you are thinking W4S should offer some kind of small form factor, networked (wireless if possible) receiver "DACs" that has simply a couple outs to an amp.  Sell it at a good price if buying the server.  Should be cheaper than the mINT but higher than their smallest little DAC they offer in the uDAC.
 
Quote:

Indeed, a Mac (or PC for the fans) will be able to read from the server, but I'd hate to put another computer between the server and my Dac/network player. Less is better.
 
I know the devices from Marantz and Denon, in fact I have the Marantz one (NA7004). Indeed this thing can read music stored on a server via DLNA/UPnP, different kinds of files but not the one I want, ALAC. I can send ALAC to it via AirPlay but that means downsampling to 16/44.
I can also have server software on my Mac (EyeConnect) that handles highres ALAC and converts it into something the Marzntz can read, but then we have converting.
I want my highres ALAC to go straight and unaltred to the Network Player (or Network Dac one might call it) where it needs to be converted to analog without upsampling even. Then all will be as I like it.  
 
Now Marantz is coming with a new Network Player in their "Premium Range" in a few months. I look forward to see what that thing will be capable of. It will cost €2000 here in Europe, probably less in the US.
There is also the Classe CP-800 which will have a firmware upgrade to 24/192 (async) in a few months as well as a network addon (the port is already there) that will use DLNA/UPnP and AirPlay. The only thing I don't know yet is if will be able to handle ALAC via DLNA/UPnP, but I'm poking them to get the answer, I hope tomorrow.
Then this device will have everything I want, along with 4 outputs + a sub output, configurable like I haven't ever seen before and able to provide signal to my 4 amps at once, this with top grade sound. At a premium price though. But not higher than the PWD with Bridge which is a joke compared to the Classe concerning both SQ and build quality. Yes, I did listen to the Classe extensively two weeks ago and owned a PWD with Bridge before. As another member said who owns/owned both: The Classe simply runs circles around the PWD. At the same price or even a bit less if I remember correctly.
 

 

 

[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

I forgot about that.  I see those from time to time on Craigslist.  They look big. 
 


 

I used a separate Theta CD Transport with it.
 
 

 

[AppleheadMay]

Quote:

Wait a second, you already know a lot about this stuff 

I now see you what you were getting at.  Yeah, I guess it becomes an expensive project because one would need a high-end DAC at each location to read the files from the server.  Yes, this seems true if you want the true hi fi experience.  
So you are thinking W4S should offer some kind of small form factor, networked (wireless if possible) receiver "DACs" that has simply a couple outs to an amp.  Sell it at a good price if buying the server.  Should be cheaper than the mINT but higher than their smallest little DAC they offer in the uDAC.
 


 

 
Indeed. I have been thinking to send some questions to their fantastic support team all day, just didn't get to it yet. I'll try to it tonight still as they are probably already have a network player in the pipeline to complete their system. Else there isn't much use for a dedicated and centrally located server IMO.
And knowing W4S they would indeed try to keep the price reasonable.

 

[Icenine2]

Can we play DFF files for DSD with the DAC2?  Not that I have any of these files yet but............

 

[WarriorAnt]

Anyone here own any of the Wyred 4Sound amps?  W4S ST 250 or W4S ST 500   or any of the Mono Blocks?

 

[AppleheadMay]

Nope, but I hope to have the Mint soon when it stops going back and forth between US and NL customs.
 
I am really interested to hear impressions from someone that has any of their amps as well.

 

[gregeas]

Quote:

Anyone here own any of the Wyred 4Sound amps?  W4S ST 250 or W4S ST 500   or any of the Mono Blocks?

I have the 250 connected directly to my DAC2 running as a "digital pre-amp." This is my two-channel AV system, connecting my plasma screen, Blu-ray player, PS3/Xbox, and computer via USB for music. Speakers are Paradigm Studio 60s. 
 
Sound quality leaves nothing to be desired vs. more expensive components I've had in this system (including Arcam, Ayre, and Cary), and everything is bulletproof. In the family room I've learned that it's a mistake to spend money on components with tubes and/or delicate faceplates. 
 

 

[WarriorAnt]

Quote:

I have the 250 connected directly to my DAC2 running as a "digital pre-amp." This is my two-channel AV system, connecting my plasma screen, Blu-ray player, PS3/Xbox, and computer via USB for music. Speakers are Paradigm Studio 60s. 
 
Sound quality leaves nothing to be desired vs. more expensive components I've had in this system (including Arcam, Ayre, and Cary), and everything is bulletproof. In the family room I've learned that it's a mistake to spend money on components with tubes and/or delicate faceplates. 

When you say sound quality leaves nothing to be desired vs. more expensive components do you mean the ST 250 holds it own?      Are you running a subwoofer line out of the W4S DAC-2?  Thats one of the things I'm going to be doing.    Hopefully running XLR out of the DAC-2 into a W4S amp then RCA outs of the DAC-2 to subwoofer.     Gallo Strada's + Gallo TR-3 subwoofer.  Also are there mods that W4S does to these amps when you buy them, for instance speaker posts or internal wiring?  I've seen some talk of that.
 
 
 
Ex Norwalker here. (Freelanced 14 years over at Palace Digital down on Main St)