PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC


Not sure if now's the time to ask since this thing hasn't even begun to ship yet, but anyone have any take on whether the new PS Audio PWD is a viable "one box" solution that would rival in quality what a simple NOS dac and USB converter (i.e. Empirical Audio) would provide? Did I tip my hand as to what I own now? :)

Sounds like it will be spendy $3,500+ when you include the "bridge" option to reclock an incoming signal. It doesn't appear to deal with Apple Lossless format (or potentially AIFF), but the one box solution that allows interface via an IPod Touch or similiar device and that offers 16/44.1 via I2S w/o digital filtering looks like it has potential. Of course they had to go proprietary with HDMI to eliminate Empirical or anyone else from the equation for the time being.
mb9061
never hurts to have ones own opinion somewhat validated by a professional review. seldom happens with me so i'm enjoying it. have been a psa pwt/pwd fan-boy since release mid 2009. the pair sounded great from day one. then came the bridge which was a little tricky at first.... but has progressed to be a real game changer in pc audio. the mkII hit it out of the park imho. truly incredible sound and still the best digital front end i've ever personally listened to.

have done a few comparo's with friends over the years and most had pricier gear at the time. almost everyone involved in those auditions now own the mkII/bridge or pwt/mkII/bridge. i'm still in love with them after 3 years (which count as dog years in digital audio)

agree with Vhiner above....buying a used pwd and upgrading to bridge and/or mkII is one of the best deals in hi-fi out there. it's a 2k-ish investment that could change your mind about computer audio and digital in general.

Cheers
Levy03,

It was one of your early posts on a'gon that convinced me to check the PWD out. Many thanks!

Vance
Dumb question, how is everyone getting this article since I can not find it electronically (on their website or ordering the electronic version) or at the newsstand? The issue does not exist except I see it talked about here and on the PS Audio website.
Glad it worked out for you Vhiner. Jeff: didn't mean to imply i've read the article. just snippets here and there. Paul McGowen quoted a few lines as well and said it was a "rave review"....so i'm just assuming it will be.
The article is in the September issue, which has been mailed to subscribers like me. It should be on the newsstands by now. It won't be downloadable until September, I believe.