“The PerfectWave DAC produced the most significant improvement of any audio component I’ve ever added to my system. John Sciacca: Sound + Vision.
A remarkable new Media DAC
The PS Audio PerfectWave DAC is a remarkable new class of product we call a high-resolution Media DAC that makes high-end music fun again. It accesses high-resolution digital audio data from multiple sources such as a CD transport , CD player, computer, network, or the Internet and converts the data to the most musically natural sounding analog audio ever produced.
The PWD is one of a very few high-end products to fully transcend the limitations of traditional digital to analog converters (DACS) by providing uncompromised performance for any media delivery or storage system possible. This means that it no longer matters how the digital audio data is stored or delivered, the PWD produces the same high performance audio sent over a network, taken from a hard drive, a CD or even downloaded via the Internet.
The PWD is a complete solution that can be used in a multitude of ways. As a standalone DAC, the PWD will accept inputs from any digitally connected source such as a CD player, CD transport, satellite receiver, music server or computer.
As a music server, the PWD can access and control any DLNA compatible network source such as a network hard drive (NAS ), or stream music directly off the Internet.
And as a preamplifier control center, the PWD connects directly to your power amplifier controlling the volume, balance and any of the seven connected sources.
And now, the Mark II Media DAC
Since the introduction of the ground breaking PerfectWave Media DAC and network Bridge, nearly two years ago, the pace of technological innovation from PS Audio’s engineering team hasn’t slowed down one bit.
Introducing the Mark II version of the PWD – a major leap forward in performance and features. The Mark II comes with a completely redesigned digital input board, software, connecting cables and remote control as well as the addition of a PS Audio Critical Link fuse for the power supply. New features of the Mark II include 192kHz 24 bit asynchronous USB, NativeX mode, non-saturated logic data path, 11 additional power supplies, lower jitter and a precision balance control for the volume.
Whether you’re using the network Bridge or any of the 7 digital inputs, the new Mark II PWD outperforms the Mark I and any DAC we have ever built over the years. Sweet, open, analog and musical, the Mark II represents a new class of digital media player.
Owners of the original Mark I PerfectWave DAC will be able to upgrade fully to the Mark II standard by replacing the digital processing board, fuse and software upgrade. The procedure can be handled by PWD owners at home or available for professional installation through your dealer, distributor or PS Audio directly.
To find out more about the upgrade program, please click here.
Digital Media Player
The PerfectWave Media DAC II is a high resolution Digital Music Player (Media Server) that brings uncompromised music into your high-end audio system without the need for anything other than the love of music.
With the MKII PerfectWave system you can store your music in one place and access it anywhere in your home or from a CD, DVD or computer; it’s your call. With the MK II the source no longer matters.
What comes out of the PWD Mark II directly into your amplifier is music as good as it gets with details you never knew were there. With the PerfectWave system, compromise is not something you worry about as you rediscover everything in your library as if it were the first time.
The MKII will put a smile on your face with its high-resolution, high-end performance analog outputs and music at the touch of a finger. Simply and easily connect the PWD MKII into your setup and forever change the way you listen to and enjoy your music.
Getting closer to the source
A music server is a digital audio library with a convenient way to access and playback all the material in the library. It is an electronic version of what we all do: search our CD or vinyl collections, choose what we want to hear, insert the media into our players and enjoy. Only now, you access that music from anywhere in your home at the touch of a finger.
“You’ll breathe new life into your digital music library and be stunned how good your discs sound.” The PerfectWave system gets you closer to the music than you’ve ever been before.
The MK II treats digital audio as if it were a direct feed right from the recording studio without compromise, jitter or digital artifacts. Music sounds natural, analog, warm and just plain right.
The MK II’s new NativeX feature ensures low jitter analog-like performance from any source regardless of quality.
“You’ll breathe new life into your digital music library and be stunned how good your discs sound.”
PWD basics
The PWD Mark II has 7 digital inputs that include two I2S over HDMI, an optical TOSLINK, coax S/PDIF, balanced AES/EBU, 192kHz 24 bit USB and the network Bridge.
The HDMI inputs are designed not for accepting HDMI data, but instead are utilized in a unique PS designed standard for I2S data. I2S data is the native data management system within every transport, CD player and DAC. It consists of three separate clocks and one digital audio data line.
When a separate transport and D to A processor are used in a system, the I2S data inside the transport is typically mixed together to form one single data line so it can easily be transferred between the transport and the DAC through either optical, coax or balanced means. The format used to send this data is called S/PDIF (Sony Phillips Digital Interface) and is found on every CD player and transport from the least expensive to the most expensive units. S/PDIF certainly isn’t the best sounding format but in many cases it’s all we have to work with.
Once the S/PDIF signal is received by the DAC it must then be separated back into its I2S components and that is where the trouble lies. The process of encoding and then decoding the I2S data into SPDIF data compromises the audio quality on a high-end system. The PWD Mark II solves this problem in two ways: through the built in Digital Lens and through our unique I2S over HDMI for products like the PerfectWave Memory Player that use I2S technology. Whichever choice is made the audible results are breathtaking. Openness and clarity like you’ve never experienced in your digital audio system; ever.
"SIMPLY PUT THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST (IF NOT THE BEST) SOUNDING DACS EVER MADE..."
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