PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC without the transport

If my wife was into the whole music thing as much as I am, I'd no doubt have to share the sweet spot...That would suck!!!!

I don't have the PWT either and I too like the way the PWD/Bridge sounds. I would however like to hear from those who own both since there seems to be quite a few folks who feel the PWT bests the Bridge.

Thanks for your responses and big Friday cheers to you...!

Have a great Easter weekend.

_Ben

To Levy, Edorr, Rockitman...and other PWD(+)PWT users:

How do you compare the PWD/Bridge vs the PWD/PWT (on all files - 44/16; 88/24; 96/24; 176/24; 192/24...)? Some users are reporting a difference in sound between the two setups, while others report very little (if any) difference. I am very interested in your opinions on this matter...

Thanks,

_Ben

Thanks Levy.

Have you ever encountered any latency-type dropouts? I have been putting up with random dropouts from day one. Since this is not a phenomenon experienced/reported by all Bridge owners (some do, but I believe most do not), I have been going on the assumption that it is a network issue.

What is your server setup? Once I resolve this issue, I will be nearly 100-percent satisfied (when gapless is implemented, I will “feel complete”).

Dang…A Bloody Mary sounds good. Extra spicy, two cherry peppers, one dill spear, a sliver of lime, fresh-ground black pepper….It was a “festive” evening and I am feeling the residuals….

That's interesting that you, Levy, have similar dropout issues. It makes you wonder if the dropouts are a latency/streaming/network issue or a Bridge issue...?

Both the PWT and Bridge act as memory players, both process digital information via a digital lens and both utilize the Is2 protocol. What makes you think transferring pure digital data from a disc into a memory buffer is any different than transferring pure digital data from an Ethernet cable into a memory buffer?

Ah...Mr. Levy...a replacement already. Good man!

Unfortunately, the Bridge firmware updates do impact the sound quality. Currently however, PS Audio is working on optimizing the next update(s) based on the two best sounding firmware updates (to date); the 0.2.08 version and the 0.2.10u version.

My rebuttal to Rockitman was based on the fact that he made an incorrect statement regarding interface connectivity. His overall point – that the PWT sounds better than the Bridge – has been observed by many PWT/PWD/Bridge owners. I believe that there is something to these observations. I do not own the PWT so I cannot make any conclusions.

I am very glad though, that the PS Audio team has identified the existence of SQ differences in Bridge firmware upgrades. Many owners have reported that firmware version “…08” sounds nearly identical to the PWT, while others, including Paul himself, have identified the “u” version as sounding the best. This is good news for Bridge owners because it means that the Bridge can be “tweaked” for better SQ - with the PWT a likely reference source.

I listened to version “u” for more than an hour last night and I can tell you that the soundstage is noticeably better than with previous firmware versions (although, I have yet to go back to “…08” to verify….). With “u” one can hear well into the very wide soundstage and the overall tone is anything but digital-sounding. The Bridge – which is already an outstanding “transport” – is getting even better. I can’t imagine having to get up to load a disc anymore…!!

These guys have both the Bridge and the PWT. I communicate with them via the forum all the time and I can say without hesitation that they are impressed with the Bridge. That's not saying the PWT doesn't edge out the Bridge. I think it probably does.

Here's the deal though, I can sit down in my listening chair and never have to move a muscle (except to raise my beverage to my lips). I have more than 3,000 CDs ripped - that's about 35,000 songs available to me via my iTouch. Considering the Bridge delivers true high end sound, this is pretty amazing. Some people actually prefer the Bridge over the PWT, so obviously there’s not a big discrepancy in sound quality. Additionally, it now looks like the PS-A techs may have figured out a way to tweak the Bridge’s sound quality.

Since you already own the PWD, I cannot image why you haven’t jumped on ordering the Bridge…?

By the way, it’s all good; you’re not starting anything controversial. I totally respect all your input.

Oh how I wish I had a nice analog setup. More than that, Rockitman, I wish I had the time to enjoy one. My wife and kids pretty much dictate what my schedule is. In my case, a music server is the ideal setup and the PS-A Bridge is among the better choices. I prefer a network solution, so I don't mean to stir up any controversies with the PC/USB sector.

I have a live in hi-maintenance emotionally wise girlfriend.

Priceless!

Very well stated. I'll have to remember that when describing my "emotionally wise" wife!

Big cheers to you as well my friend!

_Ben

Hum...well Levy, it depends on how fast you can get a quality replacement! A man shouldn't go without....music or the good thang!

I believe PS has acknowledged that the CPU used in the Bridge isn’t robust enough for decoding FLAC (or might I say, “could be more robust”). I may be wrong. I do know however, that many folks with an understanding of these matters consider the CPU the weak hardware link. Decoding FLAC requires more “processing power” (memory…“whatever” it takes…) than other codec’s and hi-res FLAC (e.g.: 24/192) requires even more than 16/24 FLAC.

I believe that PS is working on the FLAC codec and writing new code in an effort to make the FLAC decoding process more efficient. In theory, this may very well resolve the issues involving the decoding of hi-res FLAC files. Hopefully, the software solution will indeed resolve these issues. If it does, then the main hurdle will be the implementation of gapless playback.

Obviously, sound quality is of vital importance and it does appear that PS is aware of the correlation between firmware upgrades and sound quality – so hopefully, they will be able to duplicate the SQ of the very best versions (e.g.: “.08”), or perhaps even surpass older versions, in the final firmware version.

Once these major areas have been addressed – and remedied –then PS can concentrate on tweaking Tag-n-Play, eLyric, and all other interfaces and forthcoming protocols.

Bottom line is that I do not believe the current Bridge is a lost cause. I may be wrong, but I am very hopeful that PS is truly on the brink of perfecting the Bridge. I guess the real question (or concern) is just how much longer will it take them to finalize execution…