Breaking the High-Dollar Statement DAC Price/Performance Barrier - Rockna Wavedream Reference Signature DAC

[Barry2013]

Confirmed for this weekend so it'll definitely be an A/B with M21 and I'll test the digital connection side of life as well. I've got Jorma / Intona AES/USB here for direct connetion from the K50 (I'll use a run of the mill HDMI for I2S for now) and I'll check network as well with a nice noisy PC and simple switch.

I gave Nicolae a shout yesterday to confirm pin out for I2S so hopefully will have a reply today and I can set the K50 switches accordingly. Default I believe is PS Audio spec which from memory and a brief look though the WDRS manual a while ago, is one of the pre programmed I2S in options on WDRS.

Quite excited to hear it TBH, just wish my XA30.8 was with me for it (away for mod) but Envy will suffice for now. (Only using HP's for now).

If there's any particular feedback wanted, just shout and I'll keep an ear open for it.

Thanks Doug
You will obviously be sharing your experience of the sound quality with us but I would be interested to know how it performs with CD/SACD discs from a transport if that is possible.
I would also appreciate your thoughts on ease of setup and operation.
Yesterday I sorted out my trip to Munich next month where I look forward to hearing it in person

 

[Doug2507]

Sorry for the delay, courier issues.

Fired it up last night, short listen so I'll reserve judgement on SQ until further listen but it wasn't quite the home run I thought it would be vs M21, both have their own distinct sound. I'll post thoughts on this once I've done a more thorough listen.

Build quality is excellent, all ins / outs well positioned, remote is very nice and the UI is really good. Everything in the UI is very intuitive, very easy to go through and responsive. Touch screen also works really well but I'm using the remote mostly.

I'll sit down with it later today / this evening, deep dive into the manual to make sure it's optimised for playback and go have some fun with it. Last night was a quick n dirty listen, also cycled digital inputs from the K50. I2S default is indeed PS Audio spec as I had no issue using I2S out of the K50 which is PSA spec as default.

Today will be a revisit of last night but broader library playback, see how network sounds and throw Roon into the mix as well (I tend to use squeeze with K50).

No transport here @Barry2013 so apologies, that won't be part of it.

 

[gleeds]

Thanks for the preliminary comments, Doug. One note: The WDRS requires approximately 250-300 hours of burn-in time before it comes on song. There are tons of small caps, as well as other elements that take their sweet time, so please inquire with your dealer about how much play time your unit has. You'll know it's ready once the bass power and timing are among the best you've heard from digital. Enjoy!

 

[Doug2507]

Thanks for the preliminary comments, Doug. One note: The WDRS requires approximately 250-300 hours of burn-in time before it comes on song. There are tons of small caps, as well as other elements that take their sweet time, so please inquire with your dealer about how much play time your unit has. You'll know it's ready once the bass power and timing are among the best you've heard from digital. Enjoy!

You've got PM.

 

[gleeds]

Lots of caps and other goodies inside so break-in time is essential

 

[Steve williams]

Thanks for the preliminary comments, Doug. One note: The WDRS requires approximately 250-300 hours of burn-in time before it comes on song. There are tons of small caps, as well as other elements that take their sweet time, so please inquire with your dealer about how much play time your unit has. You'll know it's ready once the bass power and timing are among the best you've heard from digital. Enjoy!

Good advice Gary with most all audio components as my experience is that the bass is typically the last to come in