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PerfectWave DAC / Zodiac Gold Shootout Round 1

I got about 250 hours on a Zodiac Gold + Voltikus and did a first round shootout against my PS Audio Perfectwave DAC + Bridge. Source for the Zodiac was Mac Mini over USB. The most level playing fiels setup I could think of was run the PS Audio single ended into the analog input of the Zodiac, match volume levels and run the Zodiac straight into my poweramp. This allows me to do A/B switching on the Zodiac input for a real time comparison.

I do have a Modwright 36.5 LS/PS that I use as a preamp with the Perfectwave, but for unbiased comparison of DACs only, I took this out of the chain alltogether.

Listening to acoustic, "small ensemble" music (mostly Jazz), the Zodiac had a slight edge. I little more air and transparency, but not by a big margin. If I did not own anything yet I would have probably bought the Zodiac and use is as a DAC/preamp.

However, the difference in SQ was small enough that I expect the forthcoming upgrade of the perfectwave dac (in a few weeks) to bring the Perfectwave to the level of the Zodiac. Additionally, I much prefer a network based architecture over USB and love the iPhone controller app (eLyrics) that controls the library for the perfectwave, so ease of use goes to PS audio.

I will do a second round listening session next week with 200 more hours on the Zodiac. I may also run both the Perfecetwave and the Zodiac through the Modwrigh and see what happens. However, as it stands right now the perfectwave stays.

Combined MSRP for a Perfectwave DAC + Bridge + Upgrade + Modwright 36.5 LS/PS is $15K (not including a few grand worth of cabling). You then have 3 chassis' and over 90lbs worth of components.

The Zodiac has the same functionality (if all you need is one analog input), for one third of the price, and is packaged in two small (10 lbs tops) boxes. Sound Quality is pretty close now - not sure what it will be like after the Perfectwav upgrade.

In summary, the Zodiac and perfectwave are both winners, and in a greenfield situation I suspect many would pick the Zodiac over the perfectwave. Those with a sunk investment in PS audio like myself will most likely stay with PS audio, especially now that a major upgrade has been announced.
edorr

Showing 8 responses by edorr

edorr OP
714 posts
 
James, if you go to page 6 of the PWD MKII thread on the discussion forum on the PS audio site, Paul explains in detail what this upgrade is about. Later on he adds that it will also add asynchronous USB and cost $1000 ($800 for early adopters).

Tom, the Zodiac is a full blown analog preamp, so when I run the PWD into the Zodiac I am usin the same preamp. Fair comparison IMO. However, I will probably try some other configuration - First, PWD and Zodiac both into Modwright. Than, PWD into Modwright active input and Zodiac into Modwright HT bypass. Both will allow A/B switching (unfortunately the Modwright cannot switch inputs with the remote). Personally, when differences are small I need to do A/B switching to make up my mind. Also, usually when differences are small I end up keeping the incumbent component.

I have already established in a different comparison I prefer the PWD through a preamp, so PWD direct will not be part of my configurations.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Levy, I have three options to run the PWD in this shootout. (1) Run the PWD directly into the poweramp using its digital volume control. (2) Run the PWD into the Zodiac (which has a full blown analog preamp build in) or (3) Run it through the Modwright 36.5. With option (2) I am using the same preamp for the Zodiac DAC and the PWD so this is a good basis for comparing the two DACs on their merits as DAC. I will also try both the ZOdiac and PWD into the Modwrigh (running both at full output level) at some point.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Just completed round 2. I now ran the perfectwave through the Modwright preamp, and the Zodiac through the HT bypass on the Modwright. This allowed me to switch inputs in real time. Note that the MOdwright is a true fully passive bypass - it is not a unity gain running through an active circuit. The Zodiac has now hit the 300 hours mark.

In this setup, I had a slight preference for the PWD + Modwright. Whereas the Zodiac had slightly more "air" in the high ranges, the PWD + Modwright combo had more "body" in the low ranges. This was a particularly interesting contrast on the Rachelle Ferrell "First Instrument" CD. High pitch female vocals, with deep chords on the piano. Vocals slightly more fluid on Zodiac, but more robust Piano on the PWD. Overall the PWD was more musical to me.

Still absolutely amazing how good the Zodiac is at its pricepoint and size of the package, but it will go back anyway.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
I would only keep the Zodiac if it allows me to take out the Modwright for economic reasons (I would pay for the Zodiac by selling the Modwright). So even if the Zodiac + Modwright equals or bests the PWD + Modwright I would keep the PWD. However, it would indeed be intersting to understand what is causing the differences in sound quality so I will try this this evening and report (if I get around to it).
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Balanced through the Modwright preamp.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
I did one final configuration change before sending the Zodiac back. I ran the Zodiac at full output through an active input on the Modwright. In this setup the PWD and Zodiac still sounded different, but I can not conclusively say which one I preferred. I started out with two tracks on which I preferred the Zodiac, but than on another track I preferred the PWD. All in all, this was splitting hairs. To be fair though, the deck was stacked in favor of the PWD + Bridge, because I was using my only balanced input for the PWD. I also used expensive aftermarked powercord for the PWD and stock cord for the Zodiac. Interconnects used on the PWD were also superior, and finally I was using power from a PS Audio regenerator for the PWD, whereas the Zodiac come straight from the wall. So it is fair to conclude that in a true level playing field, the Zodiac is the (slightly) better DAC, with an excellent preamp build in to boot.

I had no hesitations sending it back though because: (1) I really want to try the forthcoming PWD upgrade (2) I hated going back from network streaming to a USB connection, (3) if I need to keep the MOdwright to get the best out of the Zodiac, this would be a big cashflow negative move.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Yes that is the one. Has a few hundred hours on it (I had it for two weeks). I had a hunch they would sell it as a demo. Zodiac does not allow them to sell new units below list, but discounting say 10% on a demo will win them the deal any day, so everybody is happy.
edorr OP
714 posts
 
Keep rubbing it in. I forfeited my spot on the first 25 list because I was on vacation, and have been waiting for my MKII board ever since, in a state of clinical depression.
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