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PS Audio PWT and PWD MK II--recent acquisiton

I began a discussion of HDMI cables for I2S under the Cables heading, but my observations and questions about the PWT and PWD MK II are more appropriate here, I think. Having had some time to put this combination through its paces in my system (Modwright KWI-200 integrated, Proac Response D-2 speakers, Rel S-2 sub, Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval speaker cables, Clarus Aqua XLRs, Pangea HDMI) I'm not very happy with what I'm hearing. Yes, the two digital sources (DAC & transport) produce impressive resolution, spatial sense, and detail, but in a way that strikes me as very unmusical. In fact, though there's no discernible "glare" in the sound, it is extremely piercing and seems like it could damage my hearing if I listen too long at even reasonable volumes. 

My Cambridge Audio CXU universal player is much more pleasant to listen to even if it doesn't quite match the hyper-resolution of the PWT. I have a Wyred4Sound reclocker inserted between the CA player and the DAC, connected with Audioquest Carbon coax cables. This produces a much more musical presentation.

I'm open to suggestion here, though. Anybody experienced this, and can you suggest a remedy? My first inclination is just to sell off the PWT as a failed experiment.
cooper52
cooper52 OP
108 posts
 
APC power conditioner, plugged into a dedicated circuit.
randy-11
1,913 posts
 
and what is upstream of that?  how configured?

what else changed when the harshness appeared?

is the APC an isolation transformer?  I don't see much about its method of operation.  if so, what is the interwinding capacitance?
cooper52 OP
108 posts
 
Here is a link to what information I can find about the APC unit I have:

https://www.houzz.com/product/71815345-h-type-rack-mountable-power-conditioner-with-coaxial-protection-contemporary-home-electronics

What I know of what's upstream of that is sketchy--it's on a dedicated 20-amp circuit that terminates at a standard (not GFI) breaker. The power chord I'm using is something of a mystery--it's an upgrade from the original that was given to me by a dealer from whom I bought a previous integrated amp, but I'm not sure who made it.

What I'm hearing I would not describe as harshness, I'd describe it as shrillness. Everything is absolutely crystal clear, it's just not pleasant to listen to, and it's been presenting this way since the very first note of music that came out of it. Since the CA CXU is so much more musical (if a little less resolving) through the PWD II, I think the issue is the synergy of the transport and my amp/speaker combination. I'm still open to opinions and suggestions though.
nitewulf
277 posts
 
Is the PWD MK2 equipped with the bridge? Either way, set it to Native or Native X (with the bridge installed), this will ensure there's no up-sampling and set the filter to auto. I personally found the PWD MK2 with the bridge installed to be a very musical/natural sounding dac. The detail/resolution is there, but that's desirable. The volume should also be set very high (100%), and the actual volume should be controlled by your integrated.
cooper52 OP
108 posts
 
Doesn't have the bridge, and I do have it set to NativeX. Generally, I'm using PS Audio's suggestion to use Filter 1, but I've tried pretty much every setting and the differences, while discernible, are not major. I have the volume set to 95, but I'll try it all the way up to 100. Additionally, I have also tried connecting the DAC to my amp bypassing its pre-amp stage and using the PWD II as the preamp. It's actually worse that way.
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