Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2 User Manual
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WYRED 4 SOUND DAC-v6.1
4235 Traffic Way Software ver. 1.6n
Atascadero, CA 93422
PH: 805-466-9973
FAX: 805-462-8962
©2013 WYRED 4 SOUND LLC
All rights reserved.
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Perfection takes time, and the time is now. The DAC-2 is finally here! There are many contributions
which make the DAC-2 an industry leading DAC. A big thanks goes out to ESS for the implementation of the
finest DAC chip on the market, the Sabre reference 9018 DAC. The DAC-2 can process signals up to 32 bits in
length, and 200 kHz in sampling frequency through the coax digital inputs. Because of the limitations of Optical
transmission, only 176.4kHz has proven to be reliable through the TOSLINK inputs. You will find that some
optical inputs will operate at rates up to 192 kHz, but is not guaranteed. The USB input will process signals up to
24 bit in length, and sample rates up to 192 kHz. The heart and soul of the DAC-2 uses the 8ch ESS chip in
quad-differential mode meaning that there are actually 4 differential D-A conversion circuits for each channel in
parallel. This greatly helps achieve the spectacular S/N ratio and output drive capability.
Each of the Coax inputs are transformer coupled to isolate the source while maintaining proper loading.
To ensure that the lowest input signal level will satisfy the digital conversion engine, the signals also pass through
TTL buffers to maintain consistent signal integrity. To simplify input selection, the ESS chip is also used as the
receiver chip and performs all the signal selection and routing. Automatic signal up-sampling is done internally to
keep output filtering to a minimum, and is a crucial part of the jitter elimination. To ensure source immunity, the
time domain jitter elimination is executed as the signal enters the DAC chip by re-clocking to the desired rate
selected by the ESS chip.
With an oversized toroid, more than 115,000uF of capacitance, 3 stages of filtering and 13 regulation
points, the power-supply in the DAC-2 is surely overbuilt. The analog output stages are powered by a separate
power-supply to ensure isolation from the digital front-end. House-keeping voltages also use separate supplies to
guarantee minimal supply contamination. The digital board is supplied with 7 out of the 13 dedicated regulators
to ensure tight tolerances, and consistent power delivery.
The best part of the DAC-2 is the proprietary discrete output stages which represent the beginning of the
analog generation. You will quickly find why W4S spent so much time developing the cleanest, most transparent,
and natural sounding output stage. Instead of choosing the simple path like many others, we took the “dirt road”
and it paid off big time. Our grain-free sound stage reproduction is the product of our discrete dual-differential
FET input amplifier stage which uses all Dale RN55d resistors for precise control. Because of the dual
differential circuits, the completely balanced signal offers balanced and unbalanced outputs which both take
advantage of common-mode rejection.
To complete the package, we decided to connect a 2 line display for easy verification of input selection,
sample rate, and volume level. You will notice that when the DAC is locked onto a signal, the sample rate will be
shown, when the signal is lost, the sample rate will read as ----. The up and down buttons on either side of the
power button will allow for input and volume control up and down scrolling. From the front panel, you can toggle
between volume and input selection by quickly pressing the power button. If you push and hold the power
button in either input or volume mode, the DAC will power down. When the unit is off, you can quickly tap the
power button to bring the unit back to life.