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Upsamplers, DACs, jitter, shakes and analogue withdrawals, this is it.

Follow up questions on W4S Dac2 . . .

I understand that this DAC is very popular and highly touted among users and reviewers. I've kept my eye on it over the past year or so. My primary concern, and one reason I didn't mention it, is that there does not appear to be any way to do a home audition, at least not for someone on the East Coast, which sets it apart from most of the other DACs listed in this thread or that I am otherwise aware of and considering. For example, locally I could audition at home from local dealers the bel canto, Music Hall, Ayre, Peachtree, Rega and Simaudio, and maybe more (not that all are within my budget). And then there are online stores, such as Music Direct and such, whose business models specifically include 30 day home trials, which opens the doors also to PS Audio and other brands.

Wired 4 Sound is very upfront in their policies, posted on their website, about not being in the business of lending equipment, and hence imposing a 15% restocking fee, in order to manage their pricing. I completely respect that. So much so, that even though the restocking fee is manageable, I wouldn't want to take advantage of it because it's not how their business model works. Just curious how others have handled this. By leap of faith? Or is there a dealer network I'm not aware of?

Also, what's with having to download a proprietary driver onto you PC or, in my case, Mac? I'm sure it's easy enough, but why the requirement when so many other DACs are plug and play? Just curious. I recall reading that such DACs can be more finicky, and I'm not up for operational bugs.

Finally, in case I do decide to take a leap of faith on the W4S, how would those who own it or have heard it describe it's sonic character. I'm looking for something somewhat lively, or at least not overtly or intentionally laid back, because of the already very neutral, laid back character of my CJ integrated amp.
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