SERVER-QUEST: Transporter (Modwright) / Mac (mini) / music servers - Page 4

Yeah, some due diligence is in order here. I have 30 days to return it, so I'll give it some more time before making my final decision.

Has anyone looked into the new PS Audio Perfect Wave DAC as a digital media server? Someone has pointed out to me that it can do dadgum near everything. As soon as they add the bridge portion it will stream any music file from 16/44 to 24/192 (both wired and wireless), and that is without the Perfect Wave Transport. If you add the transport it will play HRX discs native, as well as any format of CD.

On top of all of that it can even act as a 2-channel pre, although it is limited to digital inputs only.

MSRP w/o bridge $2999. Transport also $2999. I don't really believe you'd need the transport if solely streaming from a NAS/hard drive and could go with the Perfect Wave DAC as a high end DAC and media server (all in one).

This thing/things appears to have high potential!

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/d...erfectwave-dac

http://www.psaudio.com/ps/products/d...port?cat=audio

I'm going to dig into this a bit further and will let you'll know what I find.
Mark

I agree....it does seem to have everything. I was advised by a local A/V guy that PS Audio other DAC was a good buy. So in investigating I discovered the same information and came to the same conclusion.

I was looking at building a HTPC to locate in my a/v rack. However if the Perfectwave DAC does all it says then I can eliminate the HTPC (for now relative to audio). I can attach it my home network with my home PC / sever that has my Itunes library and I'm in business for stereo sounds. Thereby eliminating the noise associated with a HTPC located in my media room.

I do have a few concerns however:
What is the cost of the bridge?
The You Tube video seems to imply that you can not access the volume control of the pre-amp through the network connection (Ipod Touch)? Only from the front screen...I can not see a good reason for not having this capability built-in.
Does the unit have IR capbailities, given the above issue.
I assume you can bypass the pre-amp function and route directly to a pre/processor/ receiver?

The price seems to be in the ball park given all the engineering work they have put into this unit and they capability built-in. And given that most other external quality DACs are priced from ~$500-$5K and many benefit from aftermarket mods to upgrade key components in the signal path. These aftermarket mods are priced from ~$500-$2k.

I'm currently in the specification phase of my new media center and this unit seems to fit my requirements.

Interest to hear what others are using for DACs and how this compares specificatiosn wise since it's not schedule for release until April / May '09.

Well I finally got some information from PS Audio, here's what they sent (short answer):

My e-mail:


Answer:


Not much, but something. I've also got a call into a dealer. When I get more, I'll pass it along.

The PS audio website is very informative on the PerfectWave system.
Mark

Do you think there is enough interest now or in the future to start a seperate DAC user thread. This thread would engage in discussion about various DACs with some focus on the PWD. I would some day like to develop enough interest to maybe approach PS Audio about a group but.

What do you think?

Hi Hifisponge:

I'm in the process of setting up a Mini-based music server with video output to my 50" Pioneer plasma and wanted to use DisplayConfigX to tweak the display. Can you suggest a best approach to avoid the lost picture problem? I have another display, but I'd hate to have to unbox it and feel my way around to restore a viewable picture.

Thanks in advance for your help on this one.

Steve

Steve -

I'm afraid not. Unlike Windows, which asks the user to confirm a change in screen resolution before it is permantly applied, Apple OS makes the change instantly. However, if you are careful, you should be able to avoid the issue.

My first problem was that I double clicked on the "display" option in the set-up menu, when it only required a single click. The first click selected the display option, and the second click selected the resolution that was under the cursor at the time. So don't double click!

If for some reason you select a resolution that is incompatible with your display and you lose the image, keep in mind that you can scroll up and down the resolution list using the up and down arrow keys. So stay calm, don't touch the mouse and press the up or down arrows until the image comes back (wait 5 seconds between button presses to allow the monitor time to synch).

If you run into any snags, feel free to call on me.

I don't remember everything I did to get my resolution set, but I'm sure it will come back to me in a time of need.