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Have any PS Audio PWD owners upgraded to Mk II?

107.0.7.210
Posted on June 21, 2012 at 09:29:46
Brody
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Location: Pennsylvania
Joined: July 9, 2008
 A lot of raves on the PS Audio forums (as one might expect) but am curious what others may think. I've considering the upgrade myself but haven't yet taken the plunge.

 

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RE: Have any PS Audio PWD owners upgraded to Mk II?, posted on June 21, 2012 at 14:08:04
calloway
Audiophile

Posts: 495
Joined: February 12, 2000
Contributor
  Since: August 31, 2000
 It is a big improvement.they really did a great job. Their support is also superb..go for it

 

I agree - worth every penny, posted on June 22, 2012 at 16:08:23
panhead
Audiophile

Posts: 673
Location: chicago
Joined: January 20, 2007
 Picked up the upgrade on the gon for a good price. Still breaking in and changing.

 

RE: Have any PS Audio PWD owners upgraded to Mk II?, posted on June 26, 2012 at 17:06:02
JerryD6
Audiophile

Posts: 101
Location: East Missouri
Joined: March 25, 2006
Contributor
  Since: July 23, 2007
 For me, probably the most positive upgrade I've made. IMO very cost effective.

It takes a while to break in (300-400 hrs), but during that time it mostly sounds very good with occasional rough spots.

I use the PWT connected via I2S. Others have reported good results with other transports and/or the bridge, but I haven't heard any of those.

 

RE: Have any PS Audio PWD owners upgraded to Mk II?, posted on June 28, 2012 at 09:50:12
tonyptony
Audiophile

Posts: 412
Joined: February 12, 2005
 I'm neither a PSA fanboy nor a hater. Up until I got the PWD (used from Agon at a great price), I had only thought about replacing my legacy DAC with something that could also replace my modified SB gear. I got it in Mk.I form. It was pretty good. Mk.II is noticeably better. Worth it for me. I finally found something that can make me as happy as my legacy DAC (more happy, in many ways) and also offer great networked playback, without spending megabucks on a Linn.

 

RE: Have any PS Audio PWD owners upgraded to Mk II?, posted on June 28, 2012 at 20:56:14
minimus
Audiophile

Posts: 4
Joined: February 12, 2012
 The MK2 is a substantial upgrade. Dynamics are much better, soundstage and imaging are improved, and the bass is substantially better in terms of resolution and sheer quantity than the MK1 version. I use the PWD with the PW Transport. That combination has tremendous synergy. I also have the Bridge, but don't think it is on the same level as the Transport. In any case, the upgrade is quite easy to do and PS Audio provides very good customer support. At $1000, the upgrade is reasonably priced considering what you get in terms of sound quality and in comparison to megabuck interconnects and power cords that won't do nearly as much as the upgrade.

One caveat, however, is that the latest upgrade kits ship with version 2.1.0 of the DAC's firmware (on an included SD card that you insert in the back of the DAC to complete the installation.) Personally, I found this version of the firmware to sound a little bright and fatiguing -- great bass and dynamics, but slightly edgy highs. I highly recommend copying firmware version 2.0.2 onto the SD card (downloadable from PS Audio's community forum) and installing that firmware instead of 2.1.0, as it sounds a lot better than 2.1.0. Most people on the PS Audio forum seem to feel the same way, although a minority prefer version 2.1.0. In any case, it is very easy to try each version of the firmware to see which you prefer. They both sound different - 2.1.0 is fairly analytical and extended, 2.0.2 is a little warmer and with treble that is not at all "peaky".

 

RE: Have any PS Audio PWD owners upgraded to Mk II?, posted on July 1, 2012 at 19:27:48
Brody
Audiophile

Posts: 97
Location: Pennsylvania
Joined: July 9, 2008
 Thanks, all. This has been helpful. n/t

 

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