Official Wyred 4 Sound Amp Thread - Page 14

After reading this ENTIRE post, I am more confident that I want to purchase W4S amps for mt HT/Music system.

Here is my question:

I am currently running PSB Synchrony One Towers and the Synchrony One center channel speaker http://www.psbspeakers.com/products/.../Synchrony-One and I am looking for the proper amplifiction for them. I am not sure if I should go with the MC amp, or a stereo and mono, or 3 monos.

Also, is there a "sonic" differenc between the 500 and 1000 amp modules? My speakers are rated at 90db efficiency, but at a 4ohm load...

Please advise so I can make the proper choice and purchase ASAP!

Thank you!!!

Hello,

The slight click or "pop" when the unit turns on is due to the ICE Power module powering up. Any unit that uses these modules will do it when the mains are turned on from an off state, and is totally normal. I believe that it's a timing delay issue that B&O didn't pay much attention to on the design. Depending on speakers, some may make a louder noise than others. Normally with what I've heard, you have to place your ear really close to hear it, but with ribbons it may be more pronounced.

Your unit uses the 500ASPs for the R,L,C, and 200ASC's on the rears.

Thank you,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

Hello Kevin,

All of our amplifiers use the same input stage concept. We have made several improvements to those in the Mono and Stereo amps because we had a bit more room on the board.

Thank you,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

Hello Michael,

Leaving your amplifier on all the time will not damage your speakers or crossovers in any way.

Thank you,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

Hello Jrunr,

The major difference between these two modules is the amount of available headroom. On the 500ASP, you can get about 2/3 the amount headroom that the 1000ASP offers. Basically this means that your music can go louder with less effort, and execute higher transients much better.

With your speakers (rated at 4ohms) I would recommend the larger module because of the added driving current.

Thank you,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

Ok. well, I have decided on the module, now I need to decide on the congifuration...lol DO I want 3 Monos, A mono and a Stereo, or an MC amp... I do not do any "seriously critical" listening to my speakers in stereo at all. I mean, I love when I can just sit there and relax to music sometimes but, more often than not, I have the radio on for background music, or to just plain rock-out!

I AM critical, however, of my HT sound. I want to hear as much as I can with as much imaging as possible! When I am watching a movie, it is usually the only time I can really remove myself and get immersed in something else for a while. That is why i like that experience to be as good as possible!

So, are there any particular upgrades that will get the MC amp closer to the performance of the ST or SX models?

Thanks for the response EJ, but I hear most of the pop from the rear speakers when I turn on the amp. I know its a tough question to answer,but would the 200 asp's produce a less pronounced pop then 200 asc's? Is one better then the other? Does the 200 asp's come w/heat sinks? Is there any real differences, sonically, between the 500 asp modules and the 1000's besides wattage in a multi-channel amp. Sorry for all the questions.

Thanks

Basically the only difference besides the input stage is the internal output wiring, and the binding post. We could upgrade those parts for a minimal charge. The main reason the mono and stereo amps sound better is simply because there are less modules in the same box. When you stuff many modules inside one chassis, the switching power supplies induce additional noise into opposing channels. We're talking about 100uV more of noise. The mono and stereo amps have typically around 200uV of idle noise, which is very low for a power amp. Ideally, an amp would have 0 noise, but what would a person actually consider to be nothing?

Basically, this would result in a lower noise floor, which you could normally notice a difference with any reasonably quite source when you look for it. As far as what you described your preferences are, I don't think any choice would be bad, and you probably wouldn't notice much of a difference, unless you do critical listening. As far as imaging, sound-stage, and resolution, I'm sure that any of the 3 options will leave you impressed.

Thank You,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound,com
www.wyred4sound.com

EJ

Any news on the pre-amp? Photos, features, availability...?

Not a problem, I would imagine that the 250ASP's would make slightly less noise, but haven't done any kind of comparison on this issue. Are all rear channels equal in the amount of noise?

The 200ASC's sound much better than the 250ASP, they're much smoother, softer, and a bit fuller. The 250ASP's do have heat sinks, looks just like the others, but smaller.

Sonically, the 500 and 1000ASPs are very similar, but the 1000ASP has more headroom, and the ability for much higher levels.

Thank you,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

After a couple of hours in tomorrow morning (if I can stay away from the phone for that amount of time), I will have all the revisions compete for the preamp boards. We have opted for several features that we didn’t initially intend on. It’s really nice to finally see the final unit come together.

The unit will offer a VFD display, optical rotary encoder, and a remote control. It will offer 2 sets of XLR inputs and outputs, 3 sets of RCA inputs, 2 sets of RCA outputs, DC trigger input, and 2 DC trigger outputs. Through the software, any of the inputs can be set to an HT bypass input, and the volume will be automatically set to -0db when selected. We have also added an absolute phase inversion, and input offset adjustment which will be controlled through software as well.

The unit will be completely balanced input to output, and direct coupled. Only when you select an RCA input will the phase inverter be switched in so the balanced outputs will still be intact. The preamp will be a buffered, passive preamp all the way up to -0db, and then will switch in the line stage at any levels higher than that. This will offer optimum sonics for up to unity gain which is normally loud enough for most systems, then keep going with the line stage should you need more volume.

Our volume control is made discretely with relays and Dale resistors, that’s right no volume chips. Most companies take the easy street and use a volume chip to attenuate, but this causes the audio to become more constrained, and congested. Basically there are 8 different attenuators that offer a total of 128db of attenuation in 256, 0.5db steps if so desired.

We have opted to not offer a built-in DAC option due to the complexity. We’re trying to keep this preamp reasonably priced (not sure how much yet), so it had to go. As a result, we will be offering our DAC as a standalone, and with additional analog inputs. The DAC will use nothing but the finest, the ESS Sabre DAC, which offers the best sonics available from any chip to date.

2009 will be a busy, but productive year for us. We plan to have the preamp available in early to mid Jan. We will start working on the integrated next week, and plan to have those available in Feb-March. We plan to start on the DAC at the same time, and have it ready for Feb-March as well.

Oh yeah, if customs would ever release our modules for the Mini MC, we can start building those. It turns out that they were sent without proper paperwork, and they aren’t being very helpful. I don’t think the holidays are helping the issue much either. If they weren’t so hard to get or so expensive, we could’ve ordered another pallet weeks ago. For those of you interested, please hang in there, it will all work out for the best in the end.

Sorry, no pics just yet.

Thank you for asking,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

Hi,

And how do the 200ASC's compare sonically with the 500 and 1000ASP ?

Also, would it be justified to have the felling that the upcoming AX2 will become the best module for sonic quality ?

All these options become very confusing, especially when they come on an amp that is available for order without any prior listening !

Thanks !

Hello Rikomatik,

The ASC are sonically competitive with the 500, and 1000ASP's, but still offer the edge on being smooth, and full. The only downside is that the driving ability is limited. You would need efficient speakers to reveal what the ASC has to offer. The larger ASP modules have much more power, and can handle pretty much anything you can put them through. They have more headroom, and more control over less than efficient speakers. My personal favorite are the 1000ASP's, they seem to be more rich in the midrange and less on the top-end.

The ASX2 modules have caught us a little surprised. After reading what B&O states about them, we were expecting more than what we heard. At this point, there is still some listening to do and changes to make before we can replace the others with it. We would also need a higher power version to replace the 1000ASP module. I don't think this is going to happen very soon.

Thank you,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

I find if the amp is cold and you turn the amp on, you hear a slight pop. If the amp is a little warm from earlier usage and you turn it on, I hear very little if not nothing.

Well, I just placed my order for a 3 Channel MC amp with 500W (1000W/4ohms) per channel. The guys at W4S are second to none when it comes to customer service!

I ordered the black casing (which looks pretty sharp) with the 3 modules spaced as far apart as possible. (hopefully this will help alleviate any possible noise) I also got the wire and connectors upgraded to get the most out of the amp.

I can not wait to hear this paired up with my PSb Synchronies!!!

EJ,

Would you please elaborate on what you are hearing from the ASX2 modules? Are they lacking in some way, or perhaps just not in the same league as the existing modules? TIA...

The ASX modules take much more circuitry on the front-end than any other module (for it to be in bridged operation). This makes the design of the unit more complex, and has a huge effect on the way it sounds.

We are currently working on sonic improvements. At this point, we aren't really comparing the amplifiers. We've decided to continue improving what we have. When we get as much as we can out of it, we will then compare. At that point I can comment more; I just think it's a little too early to be certain of what we can accomplish. If we wanted to run the module in stereo mode, it would be much easier, but the power isn't where it should be.

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

is it really possible to get more out your amps than you already have? If so, please look into mods for the MC amps...

EJ and all

Now that the new DAC will be standalone, please explain how SRC will occur with or without up-sampling, and if native feed and I2S will be featured. "Additional analog inputs" was mentioned where I believe digital was intended. As the world moves toward lossless audio streaming, enslaved pc's, inferior usb feeds, and transports, will give way to bridged devices. W4S should consider such a bridge loaded dac as a window to 21st century audio. Additionally, for those of us who argue the best preamp is no preamp, please consider digital volume control on all new devices. Indeed, sometimes "less is more" !

Hello Tasar,

The product is still on the drawing board, and we have several proto-types to listen to, but no final decisions have been made as of yet. I’m not sure exactly what we will offer as far as up sampling. There will be several units available including a standalone. When I mentioned “additional analog inputs”, that was what we are planning for the larger unit. It will essentially be a Dac with many digital inputs, but some analog as well for those who would like to use it as a preamp also. Consumer input is always considered.

Thank you,
EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

Hi EJ,

Have you & W4S team auditioned the prototype preamp? How does it sound in comparison to the one you used in RMAF recently (I believe it was the MWI LS36.5)?

Thanks

Hello Klao,

I hope you are enjoying your new monos!

We have had several occasions to listen to the new preamp, and were quite impressed. We have made many changes to the original proto, and expect it to sound even better. We haven't had the chance to directly compare it to the MW yet. There are many differences between the show setup, and our own, so I can't directly compare the sound of the preamps based on that.

As soon as we receive the newest revision boards, we will have many more hours of listening.

Thank you,

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

Hi Guys,

My new ST-1000 has been in "break-in" for the past week. I was going to put it into my system this weekend, but didn't get a chance to do so. Maybe one night next week....

I had a question on the new Wyred preamp: Will the preamp have a signal pass-through that would allow it to remain off if I'm not using any devices that are directly connected to the preamp? This would allow me to use my PS3, DVD and DirecTV devices connected to my Yamaha receiver without powering on the preamp. I've never seen a preamp that can do this, and am not sure if this is feasible, but it sure would make system operation a bit more simple and wife friendly. I can hear my wife now: "Why do I need to power on the two-channel preamp to watch DirecTV?"

A few questions to fellow Canadians that purchased the MC amp... I've had experience importing auto parts but never electronics.

What is the duty charge (%) if any?

I assume that it was shipped UPS... what was their brokerage fee?

How long did it take to clear customs?

My preference would have it shipped US postal service... is that an option?

What is the shipping costs (please specify courier)?

Thanks in advance to all that reply!

I have bought my 5 speakers from audiogon and ship it to Ontario. It took about 2 weeks and to give you an idea of custom fee, for item that weights 25kg the custom fee is about 10:3 based on what I pay... Let say for $100.00 amount for that weight, you might pay $35.00

Klao
I have a W4S amp and was considering the Modwright LS36.5. Did you get the chance to listen to it play with the W4S amps? What did you think of it as far as sound quality? Was it the stand alone pre 36.5 or was it matched up to the extra PS36.5 power supply? I am hoping W4s gets theirs up and running soon. I assume W4S will be solid state compared to Modw being tube. Will make for interesting comparison.

slybasil,
Gee, I wish I did have a chance to listen to the LS36.5 with W4S amps, but sorry, where I live there is no MWI dealers. Anyhow, it's always best that you audition/demo the LS36.5 & W4S pairing for yourself. From what I've researched in the internet, many users, dealers, and some reviewers seem to like the pairing tube or hybrid preamp with class-d power amps, though.

Hello Titanfan,
We didn't plan on a feature like that, but is possible. I had the same issue with my better half, but opted to connect the analog outputs of the dish box directly to the TV. Doing this allows her to use the TV without powering up the system, and me to use the rest of the components through the digital out of the dish box when needed

EJ Sarmento
sales@wyred4sound.com
www.wyred4sound.com

As a blazing endorsement for the W4S amps, I just ordered my 6th* amp so that I will have 7 channels powered in the HT by W4S.

Once I get that amp, I'll snap a photo of the amps in the rack. Should be impressive.


* I am in no way a paid shill for W4Sound!!!

Yes, I've connected my DirecTV receiver directly to the TV for exactly this reason. I used an HDMI splitter so I can still watch TV with surround sound if I choose. The wife doesn't seem to care much about surround sound, so she always watches TV without turning on my receiver.

A signal pass through would definitely be a differentiating feature, and would allow all video devices such as Blu-ray and DVD players to be used without powering on the two-channel preamp. After sound quality, I would place this feature very high on the list to influence a purchase decision.

Is it too late to add a signal pass-through to the Wyred preamp design?