PS Audio PerfectWave DAC vs Bel Canto DAC3

Rogercmd
>> What should I know (other than the Bel Canto DAC3.5 about to be released and the use of the Bel Canto USB link for USB to SPDIF conversion)? <<

Perhaps asking BC about this unreleased version would fill you in better.

I can only say what I know about the current version, as that is what I own. Several mags have reviewed the ‘$500 USB to SPDIF converter’, AND IN SOME ARTICLES SUGGESTED COLLATERAL MEANS for this conversion. I’ve seen a few, ranging in price from $100 - $500, and if a sound card of sorts is used, a lot more! I’ve also noted as that interface to the DAC 3 improves, so does the resultant audio . And with such conversion from USB, you gain more flexibility with regard to the file formats bit rate and word lengths.

Check the archives here for the DAC 3 info & reviews on it. Usually info on as yet to be released products only the manufacturer can provide such a thing if they choose to.

I haven't had the PS Audio in my system and have wondered about it too. I have had the Bel Canto 3 among others and after trying 7 other DAC's this year I am very happy with my Bryston BDA-1.

I am curouis about the PS Audio, I heard it at CES, but everything sound pretty good there.

Macdadtexas

Do you subscribe to the PS Audio email newsletter? There is some update info on the PW in there routinely. most recent letter talks about Paul's decision to make their own server now, due to issues loading up some other available ones... and notes on the bridge... etc.

I have it if you want me to forward it to you or you can probably view it online via PSA website I guess.

Of course each PW piece can be had or not, as your case is.

I had the Bel Canto DAC3 after the Benchmark DAC-1 USB now I have the PS Audio PW DAC. It takes some reading but go to the PS Audio website and learn about using the network bridge and audio over a dedicated music network hard drive and controlling it with an phone. Won't all be out until spring it looks like but appears that it is going to be well worth it. As for USB I have the LOCUS NUCLEUS and even with that USB just isn't good for audio, the bridge will be orders of magnitude better. The TosLink the Bel Canto makes is an upgrade but still not as good as what the network bridge will be in terms of resolution AND I lived with the Benchmark and Bel Canto for many months each, the PW DAC is just BETTER, plus it has filters and sample rate selection, I can get it to sound like the oversampling of the Bel Canto or Benchmark or go Native, it really is smooth and for Red Book CD playback it is just right, I put a lot of money into a lot of audio gear and if it doesn't sound right I get rid of it at a loss even, this unit is pretty good and I'd be surprised to get something better at the $2450 price. But I could be wrong so READ READ READ READ all you can.

There is a new competitor for top of the USB DAC heap I would like to listen to, the Ayre QB-9.