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Weiss DAC2 or W4S or PWD or Zodiac + or . . .

I'm currently using a Benchmark DAC1 USB fed from fanless, SSD equipped Windows box on a wired network. Playback software is *cringe* iTunes. Music is on a Netgear Ready NAS NV+ in aiff format (but will probably start re-ripping w/DBPoweramp). I'm also playing around with a Cullen Circuits modified Sonos feeding the Benchmark via S/PDIF. I'm using a Crimson 710 pre into Crimson 640E monobloc amps feeding Sonus Faber Cremona Auditor speakers although I may be upgrading those as well.

If I end up with the Weiss I'll probably get a Mac Mini and run something like Amarra. If I go with the PWD I'll try the Bridge. Otherwise I might stick with the PC and try JRiver or something.

So how around it? One of these or something else?
m3pilot
mihaitaa
111 posts
 
I do have W4S DAC-2 fed async USB from a notebook, Windows 7, running foobar playing FLAC.
Superb sound, absolutely no complaints. Much better than the Benchmark via S/PDIF I used to have before with the same setup. YMMV.
erikminer
433 posts
 
Might also want to consider the Resolution Audio Cantata
http://resolutionaudio.com/
m3pilot OP
12 posts
 
Thank you all for the comments.

The Cantata looks interesting but a bit pricey. I did have an Opus 21 CD player a couple year ago and wasn't "in love" with it. It seemed a little polite on music that is less so. I was using it direct into my amps at the time so maybe that had something to do with it.
slanski62
42 posts
 
Read TAS's review of the W4S DAC2 before you decide to buy.
turbogti
10 posts
 
i love my zodiac+, it sounds very smooth (i think its because of its own clocking chip), and i use it as a preamp, connected directly to threshold 10e monoblock - I Am very happy with the results.

I also have the w4s dac2 for my other set up, so far I think the zodiac+ is in a different league; but maybe i should just let it run in a bit more before comparing the two.
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