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PS audio Perfect Wave DAC MKII or Metrum Octave

I currently have a Metrum Octave with an audiophilleo-2 feeding USB to it (USB is my primary source). I've been getting the upgrade bug recently and have been looking at the PWD MKII, which apparently doesn't need a USB->SPDIF converter. Financially, this would be a pretty substantial increase, but would I really get that much more out of it? Has anyone compared the two?

Thanks
linaeum66
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
Well all the "data" is processed in the computer. You are actual sending less not more.
When you upsample, you are adding bits. Upsample from 16 to 24 bits increases the file ~6X. If Upsample on computer, how are you sending less and not more to the DAC?
hifial's avatar
hifial
332 posts
 
Well yes and no. what I meant was the computer is doing all the data/computational processing of up/over-sampling (and any filtering, etc) and the DAC is not so it is not being asked to do more, it is doing less processing. So the DAC can use all of its capabilities to just play back the "native" audio file. Otherwise the DAC would have to do both/all at the same time. So then the DAC is processing the up/over-sampling, filtering, etc and playing the file so that is more data not less.
knghifi
1,668 posts
 
I don't understand ... all important is it works for you.

BTW, you can classify DAC as a embedded computer system. It designed for specific applications so should not concern off loading processing from it.
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