Hello,
I am joining this discussion, because I have recently tested the PWT, and my findings are similar to that of Sgr, but with a different frontend .
My system is: EmmLabs CDSD SE + DCC2 (non-SE), BAT VK600SE, Eben X4 Speakers, ISOTEK Sigmas AC Filter . The cables are AQ Sky balanced interconnect, AQ Everest speaker cables, and AQ NRG-5 power cables for all the equipment.
I have tested the PWT versus the CDSD. The CDSD used the standard 3-glass-fiber ST's, the PWT was connected using Wireworld's SuperNova 5+ V2 glass-fiber TOS .
I was impressed by the PWT. Let's not forget it is a $3000 unit. It has a different presentation than the CDSD: it has slighlty more bass, but is less nuanced. It also lacks some of the atmosphere , some instruments shading and decay .
I started comparing the 2 transports using 2 identical Reference Recordings HDCD discs - Eji Oue's "Mephisto" compilation . I listened to mederate levels. The PWT appeared somehow more "precise" , with a little more bass (but less nuance) and with less ambiance. The images were also smaller.
Since I own the disc "Exotic Dances" from RR in both HDCD and 24/96 from HD_Tracks, I thougt that it will be more interesting to do a shootout with the PWT playing the 24/96 wav's and the CDSD the redbook disc. This time, I listened at wall-shaking levels. On Rimsky-Korsakov's "Dance Of the Tumblers from the Snow Maiden", the differences were not small. Unforunately, the winner was still the CDSD. Yes, the PWT was more precise than it was on redbook, but the precision was not its problem. Compared to the CDSD it lacked authority, it was somehow congested. The CDSD was more relaxed and with more shading, atmosphere and instrument interplay (all this on redbook !!) .
It is the same result as I got comparing the 2 transports on various redbook opera discs.
So as much as I wished to like the PWT because of its ability to play HR files, I am still trying to figure how to make it work properly, since it is blown away by my CDSD .
I am joining this discussion, because I have recently tested the PWT, and my findings are similar to that of Sgr, but with a different frontend .
My system is: EmmLabs CDSD SE + DCC2 (non-SE), BAT VK600SE, Eben X4 Speakers, ISOTEK Sigmas AC Filter . The cables are AQ Sky balanced interconnect, AQ Everest speaker cables, and AQ NRG-5 power cables for all the equipment.
I have tested the PWT versus the CDSD. The CDSD used the standard 3-glass-fiber ST's, the PWT was connected using Wireworld's SuperNova 5+ V2 glass-fiber TOS .
I was impressed by the PWT. Let's not forget it is a $3000 unit. It has a different presentation than the CDSD: it has slighlty more bass, but is less nuanced. It also lacks some of the atmosphere , some instruments shading and decay .
I started comparing the 2 transports using 2 identical Reference Recordings HDCD discs - Eji Oue's "Mephisto" compilation . I listened to mederate levels. The PWT appeared somehow more "precise" , with a little more bass (but less nuance) and with less ambiance. The images were also smaller.
Since I own the disc "Exotic Dances" from RR in both HDCD and 24/96 from HD_Tracks, I thougt that it will be more interesting to do a shootout with the PWT playing the 24/96 wav's and the CDSD the redbook disc. This time, I listened at wall-shaking levels. On Rimsky-Korsakov's "Dance Of the Tumblers from the Snow Maiden", the differences were not small. Unforunately, the winner was still the CDSD. Yes, the PWT was more precise than it was on redbook, but the precision was not its problem. Compared to the CDSD it lacked authority, it was somehow congested. The CDSD was more relaxed and with more shading, atmosphere and instrument interplay (all this on redbook !!) .
It is the same result as I got comparing the 2 transports on various redbook opera discs.
So as much as I wished to like the PWT because of its ability to play HR files, I am still trying to figure how to make it work properly, since it is blown away by my CDSD .