Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2

[Toolfan66]

My new and first stand alone DAC is in the house.. I won't get any time with it till the weekend but that will give me some time to read up on it more before hand. I will say the build quality is great,and packaged to withstand the hands of UPS!!! without having my ears on it yet as it stands the only weak point if one really wanted to pick one would be the remote very cheap IMO but I doubt I will use it much after I get it all set up..

I almost went with the Benchmark, I got to see them at the audio show last year and from what I got to hear they sounded good, and the build quality from the outside looked great but I read mixed reveiws about it, then Mike (FACE) changed my path for my first DAC with the W4S. so when I get her up and going I will post my thoughts on it..

Till then CHEERS!!!!!

[punk-roc]

go W4S!

[On3s&Z3r0s]

You have more restraint than I have... I'd be knocking off work early and keeping the family up late. Congrats on the purchase... those things look awesome!

[audiocr381ve]

You have more restraint than I have... I'd be knocking off work early and keeping the family up late. Congrats on the purchase... those things look awesome!

Likewise!

I can't wait for the review! I've heard a lot about this DAC, good things of course.

[TouchOfEvil]

Can't wait for the review. Very nice new toy.

[polkfarmboy]

My new and first stand alone DAC is in the house.. I won't get any time with it till the weekend but that will give me some time to read up on it more before hand. I will say the build quality is great,and packaged to withstand the hands of UPS!!! without having my ears on it yet as it stands the only weak point if one really wanted to pick one would be the remote very cheap IMO but I doubt I will use it much after I get it all set up..

I almost went with the Benchmark, I got to see them at the audio show last year and from what I got to hear they sounded good, and the build quality from the outside looked great but I read mixed reveiws about it, then Mike (FACE) changed my path for my first DAC with the W4S. so when I get her up and going I will post my thoughts on it..

Till then CHEERS!!!!!

Wonder if you sent the oppo back and got this intead

[PolkClyde]

Oh my,in my Jack Benny Voice.....You will need at least 500hrs of burn in/break in time, before you give it, any serious review,right guys? :)

[punk-roc]

mine took about 200 or so

[DMara]

My new and first stand alone DAC is in the house.. I won't get any time with it till the weekend but that will give me some time to read up on it more before hand. I will say the build quality is great,and packaged to withstand the hands of UPS!!! without having my ears on it yet as it stands the only weak point if one really wanted to pick one would be the remote very cheap IMO but I doubt I will use it much after I get it all set up..

I almost went with the Benchmark, I got to see them at the audio show last year and from what I got to hear they sounded good, and the build quality from the outside looked great but I read mixed reveiws about it, then Mike (FACE) changed my path for my first DAC with the W4S. so when I get her up and going I will post my thoughts on it..

Till then CHEERS!!!!!

I joined the W4S DAC-2 club, too. Mine will arrive early next week, can't wait

[sm88]

I've had it for a number of months now, it's fantastic - I also use it as a preamp. It has a few hiccups with the addition or removal of other USB devices while using it as a soundcard via USB, and maybe some other software side glitches, but is a fantastic device. Enjoy it! Great choice

[punk-roc]

I have read that people sometimes have some software issues with it.. but I haven't a single issue the last few months I've had it.. Just plugged my netbook into it and its be perfect every since.. 5+ hours a day

I never disconnect or add any other devices though.. just leave my netbook attached

Jason

[Beta]

Congratulations!

Looking forward to more reviews and opinions on this unit.

I have been running a W4S DAC-2 in my system for a while now. I've been very happy with it.

[sm88]

I have read that people sometimes have some software issues with it.. but I haven't a single issue the last few months I've had it.. Just plugged my netbook into it and its be perfect every since.. 5+ hours a day

I never disconnect or add any other devices though.. just leave my netbook attached

Jason

I run it on XP, and do run games and music simultaneously, so I think it might have to do with how the software (since it doesn't go through a sound card) combines those streams before sending them via USB to the DAC. I doubt I would have any issue at all if I ran it from a soundcard with a digital output, but I prefer to use USB

[DMara]

I've had it for a number of months now, it's fantastic - I also use it as a preamp.

That's exactly what I'm going to use it for.
For my computer (Squeezebox server) which is in my little office, I already got a Kingwa NFB-3 DAC.
The W4S DAC-2 is going to be dedicated for my bedroom set and won't need any computer connection. It will be paired with my Logitech Touch via digital coax for music streaming, with my Oppo BDP-95 via analog RCA for Bluray/SACD/CD play, and with my DirecTV DVR via optical for sattelite sound. It will be connected directly to the Emo XPA-2 amp (although I'm thinking about trying a matching W4S stereo amp soon, too ). Well, at least that's my current intention. With this setup, I won't need to use my Denon AVR-4810ci in the bedroom via Zone2 connection anymore.

[Face]

I run it on XP, and do run games and music simultaneously, so I think it might have to do with how the software (since it doesn't go through a sound card) combines those streams before sending them via USB to the DAC. I doubt I would have any issue at all if I ran it from a soundcard with a digital output, but I prefer to use USB

Mine is connected via USB for 2 channel, surround sound and gaming is connected to my receiver via the HDMI out on my video card, never had an issue in Win7x64.

[cstmar01]

congrats! Hope you enjoy the unit and also let us know how you plan on using it. USB or from a CDP into it etc.

[steveinaz]

pics man, pics...

[98Badger]

My new and first stand alone DAC is in the house..

Congrats! I've had one for quite a while and I'm very happy with it. It will be in my system for a long time. As others have mentioned, the software can be a tad annoying at first, but it's pretty minor. I've put my DAC2 head to head with the Perfectwave DAC and the only difference I could detect was a slightly wider soundstage with the Perfectwave. Looking forward to hearing your impressions.

[nspindel]

My new and first stand alone DAC is in the house.. I won't get any time with it till the weekend but that will give me some time to read up on it more before hand. I will say the build quality is great,and packaged to withstand the hands of UPS!!! without having my ears on it yet as it stands the only weak point if one really wanted to pick one would be the remote very cheap IMO but I doubt I will use it much after I get it all set up..

I almost went with the Benchmark, I got to see them at the audio show last year and from what I got to hear they sounded good, and the build quality from the outside looked great but I read mixed reveiws about it, then Mike (FACE) changed my path for my first DAC with the W4S. so when I get her up and going I will post my thoughts on it..

Till then CHEERS!!!!!

Has anyone done a direct comparison of this unit vs. the Benchmark? Very curious to hear thoughts.

[DMara]

One question: can it be controlled by a Logitech Harmony? If yes, does it involve manual addition?

[Polkitup2]

Mine works flawlessly using USB and W2K7. J River is the way to go on Windows for a media player. You'll want the full version to get the kernal streaming mode.

[Polkitup2]

One question: can it be controlled by a Logitech Harmony? If yes, does it involve manual addition?

Yes, and possibly. Same code set as Wyred STP so you may find that in the database. I can't use the remote for my DAC-2 because I also have the Wyred STP-SE.

[Toolfan66]

My plan is to use it USB from my laptop, and Coaxial from my CDP for now. I will post some pics later tonight if I get the chance.

I would like to know how the Wyred STP-SE holds up to the Adcom GFP-750!!!!! I love my pre amp but that STP-SE looks very nice!!!

[Polkitup2]

I have never heard the Adcom but I like the guts of the Wyred better.

[Toolfan66]

Got her up and running!!! sounds good so far, hearing my videos on my system was awesome..

will report back later...

[Toolfan66]

I should have purchased a DAC a long time ago!!!! This thing is awesome!!!!

[dorokusai]

It's one of the more impressive DACS that I've heard in awhile. I'd put it above the Bryston easily as I've owned one of those as well.

Mike(Face) is also who turned me onto the brand during the last Polkfest.

[cnh]

Thanks Mark.

That answers one question I had from that gathering. I thought Mike's DAC might've been the one referred to in Larry's thread...

cnh

[Toolfan66]

It's one of the more impressive DACS that I've heard in awhile. I'd put it above the Bryston easily as I've owned one of those as well.

Mike(Face) is also who turned me onto the brand during the last Polkfest.

What about the Benchmark?? If I remember correctly your not a fan of them. The W4S is fun to play with, I love the volume control and that it can be used as a pre, not that I have tried that yet but still a cool feature. I only have about 20 hours of play time on it but it sounds great, I still have my 1C's in my rig and I'm loving it. I have been debating on leaving them there for a while and just put my 1.2tl's away. I really like what I'm hearing using my laptop. I still have a few things I want to mess with and spend a few more hours with it but I can see where and why the CD is slowly going away for the most part..

[dorokusai]

Yeah, I've owned one of those as well TFL....and I'm not a fan despite some vague love on this website. Steveinaz is a big Benchmark fan and I respect his position and listening ability but haven't experienced the same love for that product. The W4S product is one of the better DACS(+) I've heard in the last year based on all the options it gave me, let alone a solid design. For me?! That's pretty big from a personal standpoint.

However, it doesn't mean I will even keep it in my rig since I like to move stuff around regardless of the influence....or as awesome as it does sound to me at the time.