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Digital Drive: REVIEW: Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 DSDse DAC Processors by SirAnthony

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REVIEW: Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 DSDse DAC Processors

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Model: DAC-2 DSDse
Category: DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price: $2549.00
Description: Digital audio Processor
Manufacturer URL: Wyred 4 Sound

Review by SirAnthony on March 08, 2015 at 03:36:07
IP Address: 166.216.157.56
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for the DAC-2 DSDse


I did a review of the previous model DAC-2 which you can find here on the Asylum. At the time this was the best digital I had heard. At the time of the review I felt pretty good about the DAC and started buying a lot of music at HDtracks.

Unfortunately the DAC did not stand the test of time. Vinyl still sounded much better. Over time I was listening to the DAC-2 less and less. I was just not drawn into the music. I would skip from album to album, track to track trying to find something that captured my attention. I tried several USB, power and RCA cables and nothing really stuck except the AQ Columbia interconnect. I tried Jplay and thought that made a positive difference but in the end I had the same problem with the DAC-2. I just wasn't motivated to listen to it.

Some time ago Wyred4sound came out with the DAC-2 DSDse. There was an upgrade path for the DAC-2 but it was essentially double the original price. I was hesitant to upgrade because I felt boxed into the upgrade due to the DAC-2 resale value dropping. I was also skeptical about the performance really living up to the few reviews that had come out up to that time. Finally I saw the 10 audio review of the DAC-2 DSDse and he gave it 10 LPs. So I decided to order the DSDse upgrade.

I sent my DAC-2 off to Wyred4Sound in the original box. It was gone for a couple of weeks and I really didn't miss it. I did check on it after a week or so and they said it was burning in.

I received the DAC-2 DSDse in the original, original box. The box is old but still in tact and did the job. I was in a hurry when I sent the DAC-2 in and I didn't wipe it down. I was curious if it would come back in the same condition. But it had been cleaned up before being shipped back. So kudos to Wyred4sound on that.

Before I could listen to the DAC properly I had to get the latest version of Jriver Media Center. The old version does not do DSD or upsample to 384k sample rate. So I set up Media Center to upsample all sample rates to 384k.

On first listen I could hear a huge difference. The clarity, bass, treble, midrange, imaging etc all greatly improved. Really coming much closer to vinyl in sound quality. I would say the difference was like going from a descent MM phono cart to a pretty good MC. I think they gave it a good run in. I have not noticed any major changes in sound since I received it. It did sound very good but there was still something wrong. I was still clicking from track to track judging the sound quality rather than just listening.

So... I'm not one to give up! I have lots of cables to play with. I found the DAC-2 DSDse is very tweekable with cables. I have several USB cables ranging from the $180 Audioquest Carbon to a $17 Belden Gold. (I am thinking bout writing a shootout. We will see.) I have several Power cables ranging from the VH audio flavor 4 to the Pangea AC-9. After some experimenting I ended up with Audioquest Columbia RCA interconnect (never changed it), Pangea AC-14se power cable and the BELDEN gold USB. That's right the $17 Belden kicked the pants off all the other more expensive USB cables. Surprise surprise! The AQ carbon is good but is too bright. I really think the DAC-2 DSDse needs a copper USB cable. It really put the focus on the midrange. The AQ is an excellent interconnect. The Pangea AC-14 was just the right finishing touch that made the sound perfect. It was similar to setting up a phono cart. When you hit the sweet spot and the sound blooms. This DAC is now very transparent and dynamic. It rivals a really good vinyl rig that would cost upwards of $4000. Probably more counting TT, arm, Cart and step up coils. Finally I am listening to the album and not bouncing around trying to find something I like.

The DAC-2 DSDse took some work for me to get the best out of it. It is worth the effort though. Don't give up! I probably would have never spent this much on a DAC. The upgrade turned out to be a good one.


Product Weakness: The upgrade price structure was probably not thought out very thoroughly. It takes some work to get the sound right.
Product Strengths: Sound and build quality.


Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: A modified Ming Da headphone amp
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): Audible Illusions M2D modified
Sources (CDP/Turntable): Origin live
Speakers: Sennheiser HD700 headphones
Cables/Interconnects: See Review
Music Used (Genre/Selections): Rock, Jazz, pop.
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner




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Topic - REVIEW: Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 DSDse DAC Processors - SirAnthony 03:36:07 03/8/15 ( 5)