Theta Gen VIII series II vs series I

[Bulldogger]

With the HDMI upgrade and higher resolution digital, interest in the Gen VIII has taken new life. How has experience with both version of the dac. Also, how does this dac compare with newer dacs like the PS Audio model? If comparing dacs be sure to mention which series you own.

[Worldcat]

I had the gen viii series two. I sold it and bought the pwd and pwt version one at that time I did think it was better by a pretty good margin. The gen viii is a musical piece, plays smaller than the pwd. I upgraded to the series two pwd and it was even better that the first generation by a big margin, BUT only with the 2.0.2 firmware installed. I know if you bought a brand new pwd you cannot get it with the 2.0.2 firmware. Now on some people's systems they like the other firmware. You just have to hear one and go to psaudios site lots of talk there about there products.

[edorr]

I had the gen viii series two. I sold it and bought the pwd and pwt version one at that time I did think it was better by a pretty good margin. The gen viii is a musical piece, plays smaller than the pwd. I upgraded to the series two pwd and it was even better that the first generation by a big margin, BUT only with the 2.0.2 firmware installed. I know if you bought a brand new pwd you cannot get it with the 2.0.2 firmware. Now on some people's systems they like the other firmware. You just have to hear one and go to psaudios site lots of talk there about there products.

I regret to inform you that sometime during the two years that have passed since Bulldogger asked this question he has acquired a Gen VIII v3.......

[Bulldogger]

I had the gen viii series two. I sold it and bought the pwd and pwt version one at that time I did think it was better by a pretty good margin. The gen viii is a musical piece, plays smaller than the pwd. I upgraded to the series two pwd and it was even better that the first generation by a big margin, BUT only with the 2.0.2 firmware installed. I know if you bought a brand new pwd you cannot get it with the 2.0.2 firmware. Now on some people's systems they like the other firmware. You just have to hear one and go to psaudios site lots of talk there about there products.

I don't like the PS Audio Perfectwave dac version one. One friend switched from it to the Gen 8 Series 3. A second friend who owns the Perfectwave MKII is currently borrowing my Gen VIII series 3. He is going to sell the PS Audio dac. The difference in dynamcis between the two dacs is very large. The Gen 8s3 is extremely dynamic. It tightend the bass to such an extent that a Mcintosh amp has bass as tight as Krell. I could not have fathomed that. It could be system synergy thing. Two of the reviews of the MKII have admission that they were not fond of the MK IPS Perfectwave, Computer Audiophile and The Absolute Sound reviews. Computer Audiophile called the MKI, midfi.

The Perfect Wave MKII dac is a good dac. I would recommend it. Just my personal opinion but I still think PS Audio is not in the same league as the Theta dac, Esoteric or EMM Labs flagship products. I believe edorr has also moved away from the PS Audio dac.