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PS Audio PWT and PWD MK II--recent acquisiton

I began a discussion of HDMI cables for I2S under the Cables heading, but my observations and questions about the PWT and PWD MK II are more appropriate here, I think. Having had some time to put this combination through its paces in my system (Modwright KWI-200 integrated, Proac Response D-2 speakers, Rel S-2 sub, Analysis Plus Big Silver Oval speaker cables, Clarus Aqua XLRs, Pangea HDMI) I'm not very happy with what I'm hearing. Yes, the two digital sources (DAC & transport) produce impressive resolution, spatial sense, and detail, but in a way that strikes me as very unmusical. In fact, though there's no discernible "glare" in the sound, it is extremely piercing and seems like it could damage my hearing if I listen too long at even reasonable volumes. 

My Cambridge Audio CXU universal player is much more pleasant to listen to even if it doesn't quite match the hyper-resolution of the PWT. I have a Wyred4Sound reclocker inserted between the CA player and the DAC, connected with Audioquest Carbon coax cables. This produces a much more musical presentation.

I'm open to suggestion here, though. Anybody experienced this, and can you suggest a remedy? My first inclination is just to sell off the PWT as a failed experiment.
cooper52
in_shore's avatar
in_shore
596 posts
 
Cooper , Have you brought this issue up in the PS Audios blog ? 
cooper52 OP
156 posts
 
Thanks for the suggestion--I've now broached the subject on the PS Audio site's community forum. We'll see...
bsme85
151 posts
 
Reinstall the firmware. If you're not using the Bridge, try another firmware version (2.4.5, for example). I once had distortion issues that were remedied by simply reinstalling firmware.
cal3713's avatar
cal3713
1,421 posts
 
If you're not using the bridge, I'd "downgrade" to the 2.0.2 (from 2011).  I always liked that one the best for the standard inputs.  If you want to try it, send me an e-mail (2.2.0 is the oldest one on their website I could find).  I thought it was smoother than subsequent upgrades and eventually quit trying new firmware.  I had to upgrade the firmware to use the Bridge II, but the bonuses of Ethernet audio overcame what I thought of (like you) as a shriller, less natural sound. 
cooper52 OP
156 posts
 
After experimenting with different firmware versions (with particular thanks to cal3713 for sending me the 2.0.2 version, even though I haven't been able to get it to work), I do notice some differences but they're small and still haven't quite solved the problem. I'm really on the fence about whether a major upgrade of HDMI cable would do any good, but I might consider a significant power cable upgrade. I did this for my Modwright integrated--an Anticables Level 3 Reference--and it improved things noticeably. I've read that these PS Audio units are rather sensitive to cabling.
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