russellp

https://wyred4sound.com/products/dacs/dac-2-series

Let me guess: You're moving to the 20.7's?

I would agree 100% with your assessment - here's my own: when it's bad, it's awful but when it's good, it's unbelievably so - and yes, my Magnepan 20.7's are definitely revealing. Regarding the USB cable, I have noticed the shorter the better. I use a 12 inch cable: 5pin USB header (Direct to motherboard) to Male B (DAC). I find the short length coupled with the lack of at least 1 connector gives me the purist signal.

No preamp for me. I'm running Openelec as player/volume and the Dac2DSDse in fixed mode to my 20.7's. I removed my Mark Levinson No 32 - I experienced more detail, stage, depth - really more of everything without using a preamp. I also like the idea of having one less component in the chain too.

Hang in there Richard - It will all get sorted out. As you know, I also own the DAC2se (along with the SX-1000's) and a pair of Magnepan 20.7's. Here's more about my system: I'm running the DAC2se in fixed mode as DAC/Pre while using Openelec for volume. My USB cable is 12 inches long - 1 end connected to the DAC and the other end connected to USB header directly to the motherboard (5 pin). I use 6ft 16awg XLR's and 2ft 10awg speaker cables. (I subscribe to the shortest length/lowest gauge cable theory.) The sound since the upgrade was a marked improvement, but I haven't noticed the shrill as you described. I leave mine on 24/7 and play music almost 24/7, even when I'm gone. Perhaps the DAC may need more time?

There is no advantage. Per Wyred: "The USB connection does use the direct I²S feed internally so there should be no need for an external converter. Previously, the USB interface used the same methods for streaming the signal but the interface did not perform as well sonically. After the upgrade, the new interface is superior in versatility and sonic performance." Note to Al: I'm also using I²S via USB but my cable is <12 inches and one end is connected direct to the USB header. Regarding volume, I put my DAC on Fixed mode and let the PC/Openelec handle it.

Have you ever considered making your own server/PC? I went that way because I could better control the software/hardware. A great example of its virtues would be that I also experienced some "crushing" only until I changed to a <12 inch USB cable (into the DAC2se) and the other end is a 5 pin connected directly to the header on the motherboard - this way I'm keeping the connection short, plus bypassing one of the USB connections. Sonically, it's about as direct as one can get - and sounds perfect (so to speak). This could mean that any issues you're having/hearing may not be caused by the DAC itself but rather the cable and/or connection.

Al, How do you have the DAC2se connected? USB? And, are you using PC/laptop as source?

McIntosh MC452 Aragon 4004 (my very first amp) Mark Levinson 532H (a friends now) Summary: McIntosh MC452 = SX1000 gave more bottom end (deeper, tighter), plus much larger soundstage Aragon 4004 = SX1000 was markedly smoother, absolutely no grain Mark Levinson 532H = felt limited power wise, gets hot Sonically, the SX1000 is superb, plus small, quiet, cool, light, and can be left powered 24/7. The soundstage is just massive and the background is deep and black - zero noise. Keep in mind I own Magnepan 20.7's so I can assure you they are revealing speakers that will let you clearly hear upstream so to speak - they also love power which the SX1000 definitely has.

If you like the DAC2se, you will love their SX-1000's. I have a pair of Magnepan 20.7's and they power them nicely - very smooth and natural - detail galore. These amps bested my McIntosh, Aragon, and Mark Levinson amps. I'm surprised more people don't use Openelec. It plays bit perfect, offers async USB support, and it uses the least resources of any player (JPlay, etc). Any one use it? Care to try it? I switched from JRiver to Openelec.

Yes - I'm using only the DAC2se connected to Wyred SX-1000 Monos. For the player, I'm using Openelec direct USB to the DAC2se.

I use Openelec, which plays bit perfect like the others but with the advantage of using even fewer resources than JPlay - best of both worlds so to speak.

We at JPLAY believe the old rule 'simpler is better' should not be ignored for computer audio—to the contrary: We believe that the less work a computer has to do the better it will serve as a digital audio transport. I agree...that's why I now use Openelec.

The USB connection does use the direct I²S feed internally so there should be no need for an external converter. Previously, the USB interface used the same methods for streaming the signal but the interface did not perform as well sonically. After the upgrade, the new interface is superior in versatility and sonic performance.

I made my own - I severed both the power and ground, leaving only the data connection. Keep in mind your DAC may not function when severing the power lead. I have a Wyred 4 Sound DAC 2 and it does work. In addition, I've also connected the cable straight to the USB header on the motherboard, bypassing the USB connector.