[longbowbbs]

Any comments about the USB implementation?

 

[Icenine2]

I was hoping for a HDMI connection.  I'd read or been told there is not a jitter issue there.  Of course I have zero knowledge of these things.

 

[aivar1988]

Hah, got my dac2 recently from hpz, listened it today... ill just say im speechless... what a breathtaking sound for me it is. coming from icon udac, benchmark dac1 and now w4s dac2. i tought from dac1 to w4s dac2 its a little step up but its like 1000 steps up. very impressed!!! my ears have not heard any better sq.

 

[jtinto]

I'd enjoy comparing it with other DACs like the NAD
It's always nice to hear others are enjoying their DAC-2s 

 
I'm just starting to experiment with a Mac Mini usb to Stello U3 aes/ebu to DAC-2 ... will post on that soon

 

[longbowbbs]

It will be interesting to hear your perspective of the native W4S USB vs the Stello..
 

 

[hpz]

Hi Aivar,
 
Glad you are enjoying the DAC2
 
I too, went from a benchmark DAC1 to the W4S DAC2 and the improvements were quite noticeable.

 

[aivar1988]

Quote:

It will be interesting to hear your perspective of the native W4S USB vs the Stello..
 

 

 
x2

 

[Icenine2]

I love my W4S DAC2.  Awesome performer.

 

[Silent One]

Using my W4S shoe box, I compared USB input to Coaxial input and the latter made quick work of the observation. Took only seconds. Though, since it wasn't costing me anything, I listened much longer. 

 Still using Coax...

 

[jtinto]

Lots of folks have said they greatly prefer the DAC-2 coax and aes/ebu to its internal async usb. Also, the Stello U3 is a highly regarded converter.
The scientist in me had to try it out for myself. It should make for some fun comparisons.

 

[aivar1988]

Quote:

Lots of folks have said they greatly prefer the DAC-2 coax and aes/ebu to its internal async usb. Also, the Stello U3 is a highly regarded converter.
The scientist in me had to try it out for myself. It should make for some fun comparisons.

waiting for your conclusions already.

 

[reeltime]

I'd been using a Burson 160D for its DAC channel-- and getting frustrated as it would sound as if it became clogged during complex musical passages.  Since receiving the W4S-DAC2, what used to sound confused (bordering on jumbled) now sounds clean.  Not enough hours with it to give a real review, but out my initial impressions are quite positive.  Macbook Pro > W4S DAC-2 > Woo Audio WA5LE > Sennheiser HD800.  

 

[MGLDyson]

I've only had the DAC-2 for a couple of days, now.  But, the difference in SQ was immediately appreciable when I had it replace a Channel Islands (CI) VDA2/VAC1 combo. 
 
Mostly, I've noticed better transparency.  Vocals and instruments are more clearly perceived and accurately placed in the soundstage.  So, the presentation of sound feels more visceral.
 
I was running the CI gear via optical from my Macbook Pro but am now running via USB.

 

[Icenine2]

Nice!

 

[aivar1988]

guys wich IIR Bandwidth settings are you using? whats the default ?