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Considering Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 DSD purchase

Looking for some advise on a purchase with limited funds. A Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 DSD (demo) is available, but I'm wondering if the Sabre ES9018 dac chip is still a worthy contender. This DAC is now 5 years old and although it received excellent reviews, how would it stack up against a new unit in the $1000 range?
The specs and features are impressive and it uses the ESS Time Domain Jitter Eliminator which is still being used in current W4S models. (The Femto clock is available as an upgrade).

I would be pairing this DAC with my PS Audio PWT and would be able to use the I2S interface. The asynchronous USB input is limited to 24-bit 192kHz, which is fine for me.
So, any thoughts especially from those who have owned the W4S DAC-2?

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lowrider57 OP
5,393 posts
 
That's interesting @stereo5 . By "in your face " do you mean it was very dynamic and detailed, or was the presentation too forward?
The reviews I've read stated that the basic DAC-2 DSD produced a wide and deep soundstage, and the Femto version had more detail and sense of space plus VG low-end extension.

I've owned a Chord Qute which was so smooth, but was very forward (like sitting in the front row), and the PS Audio Nuwave DSD which sounds wonderful thru I2S, but the high gain is overdriving my amp.
I'm all about soundstaging and a realistic presentation.

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