Al and Mapman,
What the Perfect Wave Disc player does is read data off the disk like a computer - not a CD player. That is, will re-read sectors if there is an error until it gets it right rather than a one-pass stream that a CD player does. It essentially achieves the benefit of a file based transport with a disc based one and assures that the data is always perfect. Also, it can do pretty much any format including file based formats on DVD (which is how many of the new high res formats are being distributed).
Combined, the main benefit of the two pieces is all about avoiding the hallmark problem areas of typical disc players and DACs. By "ripping" the data like a computer, the disc player gets the data correct to begin with. By keeping it in I2S format all the way to the DAC chip, it keeps it perfect. No error correction, no jitter, no re-clocking of digital stream data, no latency problems. Basically, what we have been spending thousands on for Pace Cars and re-clocker mods and such is no longer necessary.
Everything I've seen and heard thus far tells me it's pretty much the best "technology" out there. The real question I think is whether you like the sonic quality of the DAC or not. It would be nice if a standardized I2S interface could emerge for transport devices and DACs so we can replace the error prone SPDif, Toslink, and USB ones. The clever use of the HDMI hardware might just be the ticket. |
Hi Mapman,
Yes, if the cache were not large enough to support the timing variations of the read mechanism, clear audible dropouts would occur.
If the optically-read data were conveyed to a dac, or to the internal dac of a cdp (transport plus dac in one unit) without any memory cache in between, I would expect the result to be a total mess combining dropouts with various distortions associated with the timing variations.
Best regards,
-- Al |
AL,
Yes, it would make little sense to output time sensitive data directly from an optical read device. I've always assumed that most or all devices do not do this but was not sure.
Usually if a cache is not big enough, a clear audible dropout will occur I believe and not a subtle change in sound.
I would expect the same to occur but much more frequently if bits were read direct from a relatively slow and more error prone optical device and that seldom seems to occur with most properly operating readers.
Does that sound right? |
Hi Mapman -- My main point was that it is misleading to claim that other transports output data directly from the optical read mechanism, and that other transports are therefore subject to the timing variations which inevitably occur as data is read from the disk which is spinning at a varying, motor-controlled rate.
But re the larger cache, all that is necessary is to have a cache which is large enough to not become emptied under conditions of worst case variation of the rate at which data is read from the disk. A few seconds worth of cache should be way more than enough to accomplish that for any audio format, for any reasonably well performing read mechanism.
Best regards,
-- Al |
Almarg,
The larger cache may be needed to handle the higher res formats that this device is advertised to handle.
I think that would be the main purpose.
I can see this as an effective though pricey out of the box solution for those seeking the bleeding edge of current digital formats.
Personally I will stick to the music server approach but I can understand if many are not comfortable mixing computers with their audio on their own. |
I don't get it.... This unit has a one disc memory and plays the disc from memory, not directly from the disc.
In effect, this is a one disc music server.
Am I missing something or is this just the ultimate in audiophile marketing hype? I don't think you are missing anything. Any lo-fi cd player, and I believe any $20 computer cd-rom drive, not to mention any audiophile-caliber digital transport, has a solid state buffer memory (aka cache) through which the data coming off the disk is passed, before being clocked out at a fixed rate which is not subject to the (very large) variations in the rate at which data is retrieved from the disk. The only relevant difference that I can glean from PS Audio's literature is that their memory is 64mB, which is much larger than typical. But I fail to see how the larger memory size would convey any benefit, assuming that the disk-reading mechanisms are performing in a half-way reasonable manner. The 64mB, by the way, is nowhere near large enough to cache an entire disk (which may be up to 700mB or so). PS Audio's writeup describes it as being able to store "up to 3 minutes of music," which is in the right ballpark. I have no doubt that it is a very well engineered and good performing player, but its descriptive literature is misleading and disappointing at best. Regards, -- Al |
The combination is truly excellent to a degree that all of the aforementioned devices/DACs pale by comparison (yes, I have heard the aforementioned servers and Dacs - PS Audio-DLIII, Benchmark - DAC 1/pre, Cambridge-DAC Magic, ARC-CD7, Wadia devices, SB3/Duet/Transporter, etc.). I do not have any experience with the acknowledged digital leaders (i.e.: MBL, dSC, and other five-figure devices), but I can verify that the Perfect Wave combination indeed takes digital to a new level.
Wpines - the PWD will allow full server capabilities once the Bridge device is released later this year. Most high-end transports these days are designed for single disc operation. The key to the Perfect Wave Transport is the built-in Digital Lens, along with the true I2S interface. Combined, these two technologies allow, among other things, exceptional jitter control (i.e.: reduction). The PWT also supports up to 24/192 native. The forthcoming Bridge will also feature a "built-in" Digital Lens and I2S interface. The big deal is, it is a true high-end solution to music servers (which is the only way to go for digital, because HD SR files absolutely convey more information than the limited (and old) Redbook format (16/44). Finally, digital is becoming a nice alternative to analog. |
I think it has some smart out of the box design features that should lead to good sound.
Nothing you can't get elsewhere for lower cost I think but those routes currently will probably generally require more effort and knowledge on the part of the user to get right.
Also I am not fond of products that require bridges in general, unless absolutely essential. This is usually an indicator that proprietary approaches are being used that may produce very good results but limit options in terms of integrating with other vendors products. That usually end up meaning you pay more for what you get from that particular vendor. |
I don't get it.... This unit has a one disc memory and plays the disc from memory, not directly from the disc.
In effect, this is a one disc music server.
Am I missing something or is this just the ultimate in audiophile marketing hype? |
A friend has had his for almost a month. It's very nice as-is while he's waiting for the debut of the "Bridge" which will enable him to use his modded SB(He wants to get away from discs altogether). |
In addition to it apparently being compatible with some emerging high res formats, I gleaned that the novel feature here is that data is cached in memory with this setup rather than read live direct from the optical CD disc as is done with most players and this is an affective approach for minimizing jitter.
Network players like Roku SOundbridge ($200) and Logitech Squeezebox have been doing this for several years now and are another cost effective way to get this benefit if you are willing to go the music server route. For best sound, just use these with the external high quality DAC of your choice.
I believe I saw PS Audio will offer a similar network player as an alternative to the transport at some point.
Some other resampling DACs, like the Benchmark, are also designed to effectively minimize jitter on board the DAC as well. |
