Wyred 4 Sound Updates Their DAC Line With v2

Chipset manufacturer ESS Technology has recently released a new crop of audiophile-oriented Sabre DAC silicone and several DAC designers are taking note. Wired 4 Sound isn’t just taking notes however, as of today, the company is releasing a series of DACs that utilizes each chip in the new SABRE PRO line.

From the ESS company site: “The ESS SABRE PRO series of Digital-to-Analog Converters (DAC) is targeted at premium audiophile and recording studio equipment. The SABRE PRO series sets a new benchmark in high-end audio by offering the industry’s highest dynamic range (DNR) with impressively low levels of total harmonic distortion plus noise (THD+N) in a 32-bit, 8-channel DAC. All PRO SABRE DACs feature ESS’s patented 32-bit HyperStream DAC technology which delivers outstanding sound quality and industry leading performance.”

While offering a better Sabre chip in a better product is nothing new, it is interesting to see a company use the chipset as the main variable for model choice so far in the forefront. It makes sense. Following through with less hoopla and “just listen to it” and more spec-driven upgrades to hold accountable to price is a refreshing take. For those who pay close attention, several manufacturers have historically put lesser cost chip models in higher priced products, but this realm of digital continues to evolve at a faster pace then the rest of high fidelity audio, so few extra years on a DAC saves the comparison from too much scrutiny in any case.

In the case of the v2’s from Wyred 4 Sound, the new DAC-1v2 starts at $1,299 with the ESS Sabre 9026PRO, then jumps up to $2,299 for the 9028PRO in the form of the DAC-2v2. The 9038PRO chip is available as an SE edition to the DAC-2v2 and starts at $3,799. A femto clock is also available as an option for $125 for either the 1v2 or 2v2, and is included with the flagship 2v2SE. The specs are worth a look at (included below), as the SE aims for the top with several “specialty parts” that differentiate it from the opening model. The new line replaces the old series DAC-1 LE, DAC-2 DSD and DAC-2 DSDse models from the company and is available to purchase through Wyred 4 Sound’s dealer network or direct from the W4S site.

More info: https://wyred4sound.com/

 

DAC-1v2 Features
  • ESS Sabre 9026PRO 32 bit DAC chip
  • W4S proprietary discrete output stages for optimum sonics
  • ESS Time Domain Jitter Eliminator®
  • Automatic oversampling for precise output filtering
  • Asynchronous USB input supports up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM and DSD up to DSD256
  • USB 2.0 compliancy & ASIO 2.2 (Drivers support for Mac and Linux systems)
  • USB galvanic isolation
  • Fully balanced design with balanced and unbalanced outputs
  • Oversized toroidal transformer for solid and noise-free power
  • VFD display for input, sample rate and configuration viewing
  • 2x Coax inputs
  • 2x Toslink inputs
  • Proprietary drivers for Windows (no drivers needed for Mac or Linux)
  • Factory selectable mains 115/230VAC
  • Covered by a 5 YEAR WARRANTY
DAC-2v2 Features
  • ESS Sabre 9028PRO 32 bit DAC chip
  • W4S proprietary discrete output stages for optimum sonics
  • ESS Time Domain Jitter Eliminator®
  • Automatic oversampling for precise output filtering
  • Asynchronous USB input and balanced I²S​ input support up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM and up to DSD256
  • Improved audio quality through USB input
  • USB 2.0 compliancy & ASIO 2.2 (Drivers support for Mac and Linux systems)
  • Galvanic isolation
  • Fully balanced design with balanced and unbalanced outputs
  • Upgradable Digital, Output, and USB boards (designed for future improvements)
  • Oversized toroidal transformer for solid and noise-free power
  • 88,000uF of filtering with W4S low ESR “super-cap” (same as used in the STP-SE)
  • VFD display for input, sample rate, volume control, and configuration viewing
  • Remote control
  • Defeatable 32 bit volume control
  • HT Bypass inputs (selectable via DC trigger)
  • 2x Coax inputs
  • 2x Toslink inputs
  • 1x AES/EBU input
  • 1x Balanced I2S input via HDMI cable (note: not standard HDMI cable format)
  • Proprietary drivers for Windows (no drivers needed for Mac or Linux)
  • Factory selectable mains 115/230VAC
  • Compact size (8.5″W x 4.125″H x 13.5″D)
  • 14 lbs.
  • Covered by a 5 YEAR WARRANTY

DAC-2v2 SE (adds the following to the DAC-2v2):

  • ESS Sabre 9038PRO 32 bit DAC chip
  • Custom Vishay Z-Foil resistors (0.1% tolerance and a +/-0.5ppm/°C)
  • Femto Grade Clock (82 fSec phase jitter)
  • Ultra-low noise discrete regulators (100+ times quieter and faster than the stock regulator)
  • Ultra-fast recovery Schottkey diodes
  • Premium grade inductors
  • Upgraded fuse
  • Green OLED display for input, sample rate, volume control, and configuration viewing

2 thoughts on “Wyred 4 Sound Updates Their DAC Line With v2”

  • Many times boutique parts are window dressing and don’t contribute as much as a segmented and well regulated power supply. Or a well implemented analog conversion. Sounds like Wyred is covering all the bases possible… at a price.

  • What’s not mentioned in this article is that existing DAC-2 units can be upgraded to the latest v2 version for a reasonable price.

    I upgraded my 3+ year old DAC-2 DSD-SE and am liking the sonic improvements. I wouldn’t say its a jaw-dropping night and day difference, but it was worth it for me. The best way I can describe the improvements is that it sounds more natural and the instruments seem to better localized in the sound stage with more “air”.

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