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Quick Start Guide 3
®
Quick Start Guide
©2012 PS Audio Inc. All rights reserved.
Owner’s Reference
PerfectWave DAC MKII
CONNECTING TO A DIGITAL SOURCE
There are four methods of connecting the digital inputs of the PWD: Through the home network, SPDIF,
USB and I�S. The home network option is the best sounding option and requires the addition of the
optional PS Audio Network Bridge be installed. SPDIF is a serial digital interface available as an optical
source (TOSLINK), coaxial source (RCA) or balanced source (XLR). Connect to your digital sources with
any of these three cable types.
USB is the preferred method of connection for a direct-to-computer connection and the PWD is capable
of processing up to 192kHz 32 bit USB data. Connect the PWD to your computer using a well regarded
USB cable and make sure to set the output of your computer to the higher 192kHz 24 bit standard.
Once connected, your computer should automatically install the PWD as a new device if you have a Mac.
If you have a Windows operating system you will need to download the appropriate driver from our
website and install it on your computer. http://updates.psaudio.com/MarkIIUSBDriver/PS Audio – USB
Audio 2.0 Driver V1.22.0.zip
If the device is not recognized or your are unable to obtain output through the PWD it is possible that
there is a driver conflict on your computer. Please see the Troubleshooting section for further assistance
on playback issues via USB.
I�S is available through several manufacturers as well PS Audio equipment such as the PerfectWave
Transport. I�S is a parallel data connection with separate clocks and data and transferred via an HDMI
cable. I�S will always provide a better performance standard than any serial data stream such as S/PDIF
or AES/EBU.
You can connect one or all four inputs at the same time. For instance, you can connect the USB input to
your computer and the coax input to your CD player. Then you can simply choose which one to listen to
from the front panel touch screen (or the remote) that selects the input. If you are using USB, make sure
both the computer and the PWD are connected and powered up.
CONNECTING THE PWD OUTPUT
The PWD is designed to drive a power amplifier or preamplifier directly. The outputs of the PWD
are high-performance, high current outputs that can drive long lengths of interconnect cable
without degradation.
Our recommendation is to use the PWD directly into your power amplifier and bypass the
preamplifier. “There’s no preamplifier like no preamplifier”. Certainly this is your choice but we
believe the fewer pieces of equipment in the chain the better performance of the system.
The PWD has two types of analog outputs, balanced XLR or single ended RCA. You may use one or
both outputs at the same time. Be aware that most amplifiers and preamplifiers will produce 6dB
more level with the balanced outputs as opposed to the single ended outputs. If you are using both
outputs be advised they will be at different levels. Our preference for connection to a power amplifier
or preamplifier is through the balanced XLR outputs of the PWD.
If the PWD has a gain mismatch with your power amplifier, you can use the balanced outputs
