Official Wyred 4 Sound Amp Thread - Page 40

There will be no issue with the W4S driving the Salks. More power never hurts, less power with the amps driven to clipping is the problem. Quite a few folks have used them with various Salk speakers.

I use a Galaxy CM-140 which is a much more accurate SPL meter than the Radio Shack SPL meter.

We didn't do the comparison in a clean room or anechoic chamber and it wasn't double blind or a focus group. It was just 2 friends seeing if we could hear a difference which both of us thought would be slight at the most but were shocked at the difference. We both heard slightly more detail but the big difference was in the size of the sound stage which seamed to go past the walls and was huge. When we just used the DACS in the Rotel again the soundstage collapsed back and was very narrow again.

Believe me or not, it doesn't really matter to me. I don't have any affiliation with Theta nor am I an audio dealer, the comparison's I do are strictly for expanding my own knowledge.

But the question was, to what precision level was the volume matched, 1 db, 0.5 db, 0.25 db...etc? Not which device was used.

That's fine. I'm just curious on some details.

Hi All,

I've encountered a possible issue with my Wyred 4 Sound ST-1000 amp and was hoping someone could shed some light, recently I noticed an issue where my FL & FR mains are emitting a crackling noise, the noise is low volume and can't be heard at more than 2 feet away, the noise doesn't raise with the volume so at any listening volume it's completely inaudible, none the less it concerns me.

My mains are B&W 683's, the noise can be heard from all drivers (tweeter, midrange and bass) and as mentioned before it's a crackle sound and not a hum.

I know that the amp is the cause as tonight I removed one front speaker from the amp and connected it directly to my AVR with the other remaining connected to the amp, sure enough the one connected to the AVR doesn't make the noise while one connected to the amp continued to.

I've tried switching power cords to the amp, I've removed it from the power-board and connected it straight to the power outlet and I've confirmed clean connections to the speaker terminals at both ends.

I've run out of idea's can anyone help.

That is amazingly fair. I have one question for you though...and this is an honest and serious question. I want to state before i'm accused that i'm not a fanboy of Emotiva....

but what exacly makes your 125wpc amp cost $3000.00 vs Emotiva UPA-7 at $699.99? I'd be very interested to know.

Where did you get 125wpc from as the top icepower module is 1000wpc (4 ohms)???

The price of a 7 Channel WFS amp w/ 125wpc is $2999.00 on their website. I am not comparing their top of the line amp as that is significantly more money.

http://www.wyred4sound.com/webapps/s..._groupid=18048

Channel layout:

125w - Front R/L/C , Rear R/L/RS/LS
Unit Features:

Powered by ICE POWER®
125w in 8Ω per channel
220w in 4Ω per channel
Factory Selectable mains 115/230VAC
Idle power consumption 35w
Thermal protection
DC protection
Sound optimized soft clip
Rugged construction
Standard 12V DC Trigger input and output
½” Machined and Anodized front panels
Gold Plated insulated 5 way binding posts
Gold Plated unbalanced (RCA) input
Neutrik Balanced (XLR) input
Exceptional input stage raises input impedance to 60.4kΩ
Compact size (17.25”W x 8”H x 16”D)
47 lbs.
Covered by a 3 YEAR WARRANTY

Does seem amp related. I'd connect W4S directly. They are very good at helping.

You could get a D Sonic amp that is 5 x 1000wpc for $3400.

would you happen to know the best way to contact them from within Australia?

support@wyred4sound.com

So...is there anyone who can answer my question? maybe someone even from Wyred? I'd really like to know what makes their 7x125wpc amp cost $3000.00 over an Emotiva UPA-7 7x125wpc amp. Is there any sonic difference? Is there anything that could be measured to make it justify the difference? TIA

You would have to order each amp and compare for yourself.

I know the Emotiva is made in China but I believe the Wyred is made in US so that would make a huge difference in the price right there.

OK...so difference in price yes, but difference in sound quality? I'm thinking none at all...but i'd love to know if there are any scientific numbers to show otherwise.

Emo's UPA series doesn't sound great for music, but is fine for HT use only.

um. how do you back up that statement? i have an LPA-1 and it sounds great for music. Just what makes you think one amp over another would make music sound better or worse if all the other equipment stays the same? Please explain

I'm also very curious as to why the Wyred For Sound reps here are not chiming in. I'd love to hear from them. If there IS something to gain audibly from running one of their amps over the one i currently have then I would be a potential customer.

Listen, why do people like you come on here and expect others to do a comparison for you. If you have no desire to compare for yourself then what makes you so special that someone will do it for you.

Blah, blah blah, all amps sound the same all amps sound different. Be content with that and leave others to make up there own mind.

What do you mean people like me? This is an open forum for discussion about audio/video products..and btw it's call AV SCIENCE for a reason...so I'm asking for the science part of it to have a better understanding of something. I think that is very reasonable. I'm only seeking information...isn't that what we are all here for?

or is this just another bragging board of "look at me and my cool toys" forum?

You asked for info and he offered some. You ask how would he know. Maybe he compared the two or is repeating the experience of others. The way you responded makes me believe you have your mind made up already and aren't really interested in a comparison.


Just a thought but maybe they're busy. Considered that? I know it's Friday but c'mon.


It sounds like you have your mind made up already.


I don't think I'm going out on a limb by saying that virtually everyone here doesn't have the proper equipment to accurately measure two amplifiers. Nor do I think most people go through the trouble and time of conducting double blind tests.

So, I don't think you can get an answer other than the opinions and anecdotal experiences of the owners here. And you're quite obviously not satisfied with that. Maybe you should buy both and conduct a double blind test. Probably the only way you'll get an answer that you find satisfactory.

Edit: Btw, what 7x125w amp for 3K were you referring to in one of your earlier posts? I don't see it listed on the wyred site.

This thread has taken an odd turn. Well, the Wyred amp is an ICE amp / Class D version versus a standard Class A/B one. Better quality components (compare the binding posts for instance). The Wyred amp will run significantly more efficient than the Class A/B amp and much, much, much cooler as a result (meaning people like me with very little space above the cabinet can still use them ... not that I own one but am looking at it along with other cool running amps like the Sunfires, all of which cost a lot more than the Emotiva). As someone mentioned above, "made in the US" versus over seas. A dealer network (small one, but one none the less) vs strictly ID. These are just some examples.

As for the "sound", who knows, it's quite subjective and you'd have to compare them yourself. I for one believe most amps sound the same, though I've never heard an "ICE" amp which many claim to be more tube-like.

But all of the above are just some of the things some people are wiling to pay more money for.

But why not start your own thread about "my $699 Emotiva vs every other 150watt per CH amp tell me why brand X which is X times more expensive is better so someone show me some numbers that prove this" thread?

Not a bad idea. Also, I'm curious about something. With all the amps that are similarly priced to wyred4sound and all the crazy expensive audiophile amps that cost tens of thousands of dollars, why pick wyred4sound as the "unnecessarily expensive amp?" Just seems kinda odd I guess.

Edit: Actually, your thread might turn into you defending the emo amp against pro amps which are really the best watt/dollar deal.

There are a group that enjoys to aggravate others by asking questions that there not interested in the answers to, that's not science.

If your satisfied with your amp then great, Enjoy it. You come on here with a dismissive attitude about a product you have no experience with except to read the specs and the price.

I don't even own a Wyred amp but I am interested in maybe picking one up. I don't expect anyone on this forum page to tell me what I am going to hear in my room if I hook up the amp, only I can do that. I will make my own conclusions for myself but that does not mean the amp will not work in anyone else's system if I don't like it.

Wyred is smart to not respond to questions like yours since there is no answer. What ever they tell you is not the same as trying the amp for yourself and drawing your own conclusion. To sit here and bicker over the price and perceived SQ of either amp would not do them any good.

I'm not sure which amp evil is comparing to either? The cheapest 7 channel amp they have is $2395 and 220 watts a channel into 8 ohms.

Also to poster above, price per watt on these amps are pretty damn good. I don't own any wyred amps but to be able to get 570 watts into 8 ohms 2 channel for 2K is a pretty damn good deal if you need that kind of power.

I own 3 GR Research LS9's and would love to throw that kind of power at them and have been eyeing these amps for awhile, alas I'm always broke

yea , the best way is to buy it and see for yourself. Every room and equipment setups are different so there are many variables here. I went from a marantz av8003 , to parasound halo amps , to wyed4sound MC. Ive stuck with the wyred4sound amp for almost 2 years i believe. Dont think ill be upgrading it very soon.

HA! not good for music but good for home theater! thats funny, what effects this? Dolby Digital HD and DTS HD not good enough audio codecs?

Enlighten me on this please

If I had the money, I would have something like the DSonic or W4S over my Emotiva for weight reasons alone. My XPA-3 is really heavy. When I consider that I may have to move it one day, I am not happy about that thought.

Well the truth is it's because that's what the market will bear.

As far as ICEpower ASP module equipped amps are concerned Wyred is priced around second from the bottom. (Although I'm noticing the price creeping up a bit....US dollar?)
The discontinued PS Audio unit I have with four of the 125w modules and three 500w modules cost about $8000 back when it came out.
Mono-blocks by high end guys like Bel Canto using these modules start at $2000.
So when you're comparing apples to apples - they're quite reasonable.

Comparing Wyred to a budget internet direct amp designed and manufactured to hit a low price point isn't practical.

If you want to do a value for dollar comparison, well the Emotiva seems like a pretty darn good value, but it isn't going to make me give up my ICE amps.

What I like about Emotiva is their internet marketing strategy of using shills that pop up out of context in various amp threads subversively promoting their products. Do a search on Emotiva on these threads and see how much that happens - it's kind of funny after a while.

I know there are countless discussions of whether 2 amps with the same "specs" but different architectures would sound the same but the truth is, it's usually very difficult to find two amps with the exact same specifications.

But there are some generalizations in the architecture.

I find that Bryston Class AB amps generally have smoother mids than say an ASP ICEpowered Class D. From a friend's impression of the Emotiva AB (XPA5 series), it seems to have a similar character.

But most ICEpowered Class D designs I have heard using the ASP modules tend to have much better bass control and is generally more neutral (though some might consider it lean).

When it comes to different brands using the same ASP ICEpowered modules, the differences are much more subtle. I have heard 3 so far and they have all been tweaked. The Bel Canto REF1000M has a slightly lower noise floor.. I find details more apparent than on the W4S SX series. The third had a built in tube buffer and introduced a smoother midrange. All 3 had amazing bass control.. there's a very nice tightness to it.

The new Bel Canto REF500M uses a third generation module (ASX?) and I find there's some improvement in the mids.. it has a smoother and more mellow midrange than the older ASP modules used in the REF1000M.

W4S also sells direct (same as Emotiva) but they are built in US and the base modules (B&O's ICEpower) are probably more expensive than the ones used in the Emotiva. I think Emotivas are really amazing bang for the buck.. the only downsides (to me) are the size and power consumption cos I never power off my amps :P

Hi all,

Does anyone know what the correct oversampling rate is for the Wyred4sound DAC1. I've seen 500khz on various web reviews but, wyred4sounds own site just says automatic oversampling. Thanks for the help.

I believe it can accept inputs up to 192kHz.

Got confused with a Wolfson design that does internal 384kHz.