PS Audio PerfectWave DAC Upgrade

Update on the PWD MKII

Shipping has begun and mine is here singing with the biggest jump in SQ that I have experienced in a long time.
48 hours left to get the "early" pricing and February delivery.

Mine was the first one but others have started receiving and posting here.

Eat your words non believers!

http://www.psaudio.com/forum/#/discussion/2801/the-first-25-impressions

After more than 2 weeks of listening I agree with Levi that the MKI is but a distant memory.
A direct A/B might be interesting to read but I know,for me, there was a major jump in the signature of the MKII. Where I notice it the most is exactly the areas that I felt were weak in the previous model.
The stage was good but not great as were the separation of tones and instruments and midrange kick. The highs are now beautifully tonal and not at all fatiguing.
Not to say that the MKI was not enjoyable.
It was a great "bang for the buck".

The MKII is "a great bang for ANY buck".

Lev

The native setting is already a great improvement from the MKi in the ways you stated previously.

I would classify the native x difference as a step up in sophistication.
I know that sounds like a "broad" term but I really notice the difference after a week on X and then shift back to native.
I would compare it to different times of the day that provide different power qualities.

As far as the other "gentleman" who asked for a shootout with the BerkleyII, we just did it on the weekend and my friend is taking it back. Does that answer your question.
Not that the Berkley was not great. It was just different and we both preferred the PWD for extended listening.
Just sounds "less produced"

I hope to try the new WY4S dac in a few weeks

Yes the Berkley was a dealer demo so it had break-in and hours on it.
It's a great dac too.
If I could afford to keep them all, they all have their signature, then I could select based on my mood.
I needed to make a decision so PWD was the one that kept me in my chair longer. Less wires too!

Ben
The option to engage or not is there as a "choice" right now ans also to future proof the MKII since who knows what resolution will eventually come out of the Silent Server.
It just gives more user options in case something else changes [ like a new brdge].

re Berkley vs PWD.
I almost kept the Berkley before I heard the PWD.
I was comparing it to QB9 and Wavelength which both sounded sweet but slightly veiled compared to the Berkley.
My original DAC for almost 20 years was the Meitner Bidat with a few mods over the years to keep the components fresh.
The PWD was closer to a Bidat with a very good update plus the added benefit of Hi-res.
It is just more musical than the Berkley.
I forget I am serving from a computer. Especially with the MKII upgrade. YMMV

QUOTE "I do feel sympathy for people who are buying brand new MK2 DACs, find the sound to be a bit ruthless, and cannot switch to version 2.0.2 because that firmware does not work with the new front panel display of their new MK2 DAC".

Well, let's see if we can do something about that.
Pls stay tuned.