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PS Audio PerfectWave DAC Upgrade

Paul McGowan has leaked some information about a major upgrade the perfectwave DAC that will be coming out within the next few weeks. Pricing as of yet unknown, but current units will be field (DIY) upgradable.

Apparently, major changes were made to the digital processing board, involving changes in the powersupplies, and replacement of CMOS switching for the gates and clocking with analog switches.

Second, new jitter reducing circuitry called NativeX was implemented.

There are more as of yet unannounced new features.

Apparently, SQ on all inputs will benefit, including the bridge. Exciting stuff.
edorr

Showing 5 responses by tomcy6

tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,532 posts
 
The upgrade will cost $1,000, $800 for early adopters. It looks like they will be shipped after New Years.

Details will be available in the PS Audio newsletter.

For anyone thinking that's too much, Paul McGowan says he wishes he could sell it for $500 but that's just not possible.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,532 posts
 
Yes the upgrade is supposed to improve sound quality through all inputs. I haven't heard it so I can't promise that it will though.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,532 posts
 
PS Audio describes in detail the changes that it has made to its digital board (the upgrade) and the benefits derived. Just go to PS Audio and click on the MKII Upgrade link in the upper right hand corner of the homepage.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,532 posts
 
Mrtennis, There was a recent review in Stereophile on one of the Peachtree DAC/integrated amps, IIRC. The reviewer loved it but John Atkinson's measurements showed high levels of jitter.

The manufacturer's comments stated that they had not bothered to measure the jitter because they were so happy with the sound of the unit. They added that since they had been made aware of the jitter they had taken steps to reduce it and all the unit that were currently available had gotten this fix. It was pretty funny.
tomcy6's avatar
tomcy6
2,532 posts
 
Ben, I think that most people would need to hear both versions in the same system and be able to A/B them to get a good handle on the differences between them. I hope that someone is able to arrange this and report on the results.
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