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

Model:	DAC-2
Category:	DAC Processors
Suggested Retail Price:	$1499.00
Description:	Multifunction DAC with Async USB and remote volume control.
Manufacturer URL:	Wyred 4 Sound
Model Picture:	View

Review by siranthony on April 18, 2011 at 09:07:34
IP Address: 69.62.234.5 Add Your Review
for the DAC-2

This is a mini review of the things that stand out to me in this DAC. The most important being the async USB. It is really worth having on the DAC-2. The other connections are good also. But the async USB is far better. Hi rez files are really worth listening to. Also ripping CD's and listening through the async USB sounds better than using a transport(at least with my transports).

The volume control comes in handy. I use a valve pre amp and having a remote makes life a little easier. I keep the volume lower so it doesn't over drive my pre. Once my ballance is set from left to right I can turn it up and down with the remote. I am glad I got the remote. It has been well worth the extra money.

The difference between the DAC-1 and DAC-2 is the Async USB, the remote control and the filter caps. The Async USB is absolutlely necessary IMO. The remote is handy but I could live without it. You can upgrade the DAC-1 with the async USB for a couple of hundred more. It's nice of them to give you that option. You can also upgrade the filter caps on the DAC-1 to the DAC-2 level for $50 more.

On arrival I was suprised with the build quality of the unit. It is only a half rack from side to side. But it is fairly tall and deep. It is bigger than it looked to me in the picture. The body panels are made of thick steel and the unit is fairly heavy. It is not the cheap thin build quality that you usually get in CD players. While it does not not have a lot of chrome or bells and whistles, it is impressive in it's own way. If you are looking for something to add some flair to your livingroom decor this may not be for you. It won't detract either. I'm not the type who worries too much about those things. It comes with a power cord and USB cable, both of which you will want to replace immediately. It also comes with a manual and driver disk.

Wyred says the unit needs a long break in. I can agree it does. It sounds great right out of the box. Very lush and musical but not all that detailed. Things change dramaically as it breaks in. I was actually a little dissapointed as it started to break in because it lost that lushness. But after 150 to 200 hours it was replaced with great detail and dynamics.

The Wyred DAC-2 sounds very nuetral. It's very detailed and dynamic without fatigue. I wouldn't call it warm but it doesn't lack for emotion. It's just about right IMO. It's the only digital I have heard (because of it's resonable price) that comes close to vinyl. It really betters a lot of phono cartridges. I don't think it surpasses anything like a Lyra with a radical stylus profile. But it's well worth listening to and has earned a place in my system. I had been anti digital for many years. That attitude has changed. If you can get the jitter out and increase the bandwidth, digital can be just as satisfying as analog.

For the money I think the DAC-2 is a bargain. I know $1500 isn't cheap and I know these type of terms get thrown around all the time. Sometimes my head spins reading reviews making these types of claims. But after a long search I think I made the right choice and I don't feel like I overspent.

Highly recommended!

Product Weakness:	See review
Product Strengths:	See review

Associated Equipment for this Review:

Amplifier: ARC D76a Modified
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated): AI Modulus 2d modified
Sources (CDP/Turntable): OL Aurora with Encounter
Speakers: Vandersteen 2CE
Cables/Interconnects: VH, Signal, Pangia, DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections): All
Type of Audition/Review: Product Owner

Amplifier:	ARC D76a Modified
Preamplifier (or None if Integrated):	AI Modulus 2d modified
Sources (CDP/Turntable):	OL Aurora with Encounter
Speakers:	Vandersteen 2CE
Cables/Interconnects:	VH, Signal, Pangia, DIY
Music Used (Genre/Selections):	All
Type of Audition/Review:	Product Owner