johsti

Yes, the sound quality is very good and not just for how inexpensive it is. Sure, it could be improved upon, but so can 99% of all audio components. I have a headless Mac Mini and a Chromecast audio in my main system and prefer the Chromecast for convenience. In back to back listening, I think I might slightly prefer the sound quality of the Chromecast connected optically to my dac compared to the Mac Mini connected by USB to the same dac (PS AUDIO PWD MKII). For $35, there isn't much to lose to make your own opinion. I use the analog output of several Chromecast Audios in other rooms and it sounds perfectly fine for background, multi-room music. I also found the DAR review too critical of the unit and would not let it sway your decision to try one for yourself.

Thanks for the link.

Thanks for the review. I just purchased a PWD II last week and was excited to see this review on the home page. I've been using nativex exclusively with audirvana Plus 1.3.9.9 as well and it sounds great. I also turned off upsampling in audirvana (was previously set at powers of 2). Did you use the volume control on the the PWD? The balanced outputs overload my integrated amp with the PWD at max volume so I've been reducing the volume to 85. I'm trying to find out if the volume levels are calibrated which would help me get the output level from the balanced outputs down to the 2-2.5 volt range. Im concerned that i may be losing some resolution with 24 bit files by doing this, but I'm not sure how much if any. Any insight on this would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Pm sent

Is the output voltage the same for both the single ended and balanced outputs? I don't see how they could be if this is truly a balanced dac. Which output are they referring to for the adjustable output? For example, if the settings are set to 1V output does that mean balanced is 2v and RCA is 1v or is the balanced 1v and RCA .5v? Thanks

It looks like the W4S mint is now shipping. Has anyone ordered one, and if so, what are your impressions?

I just picked one up and have only had it in my system for a couple days. So far, I haven't noticed any negative effects on sound quality. In fact, it sounds just as good as running straight to my dac. Other folks on this forum have been using these devices to listen to sacd on their 2 channel dacs with great success. Feel free to pm me if you have any questions.

Hionhifi - No need for a second Bifrost. You need one of these: http://www.monoprice.com/products/product.asp?c_id=101&cp_id=10110&cs_id=1011002&p_id=5557&seq=1&format=2 You can connect your ps3 and cable box to the hdmi switcher and optical or coax to the bifrost. This will also allow hi-res blu ray audio to your dac. If you have a 1st generation ps3 you will also be able to listen to sacd through the bifrost with this hdmi splitter/de-embeddeder.

After reading threads on this forum and audiocircle about using HDMI de-embedders to get SACD's to play on our 2 channel dacs, I decided to try one on my Mac mini. The optical output on a 2010 Mac mini is limited to 96k, but the hdmi goes up to 192. I connected a $40 monoprice hdmi switcher to my dac and am now enjoying 24/192 output to my dac. It sounds great and is the most cost effective way I know of to get 24/192 or 24/176 output out of a Mac. It even works with the display turned off. I will do more comparisons with a hiface and the optical out, but so far I'm impressed. Has anyone else been using ths conifuration and if so, what are your thoughts? I've heard all about the increased jitter from HDMI, but I'm not hearing anything offensive.

I didnt know the v-link II is 192KHz capable. According to the website it is a 24/96 converter. Edit- just realized that they now have a vlink 192 which is different than the vlink II. Please disregard my post.

+1. I thought he would be on the list. (Johnny Marr)

I believe that PS is for the Logitech duet, not the Apogee duet. Welborne Labs may have a PS that will work though.

No. IMHO, stick with the internal hard drive. You can always replace the internal drive with an SSD, but if you are using a player that can load the song into memory first(audirvana is one free example), then the cost outweighs the benefits in my experience. Especially if you can fit your library on the internal drive as it is. I would put your money towards more ram first if you haven't already.

You might be interested in Bitperfect player on the itunes app store. There is a thread on this forum with more info. Bitperfect won't play FLAC, but it works behind the scenes with itunes, is bit perfect and changes sample rate automatically. You can use XLD or Max to convert your flac files to AIFF.

The multi channel inputs allow for an analog connection for 5.1 material. Maybe your 608 doesn't have these, but most receivers do. Look on the back panel for "multi-channel" inputs. there should be 6 rca jacks for left, right, surround right and left, center and sub. Use the right and left inputs for the external dac. I wouldn't worry too much about what dac chip is in your receiver. The dac chip is only a fraction of what makes the dac. As ted_b mentioned, the dac chips are not expensive. A high quality power supply can be very expensive though. The output stage and power supply are more important than the dac chip IMHO. You can use a dac chip with the greatest specs on paper and if it isn't implemented properly with a good power supply and output stage it probably won't sound very good. The PS Audio DLIII has an impressive power supply and output stage and I think it is a bargain considering what they sell for on the used market.