PS Audio NU WAVE DAC silver

Stemming directly from the high-end Perfect Wave Dac II model, PS Audio announces the launch of a brand new external converter, the NuWave DAC (NWD). Small in size, small in price, the NuWave nonetheless incorporates, in broad strokes, the High End technological solutions of its big brother.

On the front panel, uncluttered yet complete, a first row of LED diodes indicates the connected source: coaxial, optical or USB. Further down, a second row of LEDs provides information on clock synchronization with the connected source and the digital processing mode.

PS Audio effectively offers the choice between two modes of audio data processing. The user can either opt for “native” mode, meaning the data remains in its original format, or for “192 kHz” mode which performs upsampling. PS Audio leaves the choice to activate or deactivate this upsampling, while specifying that the “native” position is recommended.

This brings us to a great debate on the usefulness or not of upsampling the signal (to 8x or more). But this also tells us something else - the NuWave is capable of receiving 24-bit/192 kHz signals via its USB input. For this, Mac users have nothing to install while PC owners need to download and install a driver on their computer.

• Digital inputs: USB, RCA, and Toslink
• Output stage: Class A discrete components
• Output: Balanced (XLR) and unbalanced (RCA)
• Manufacturing: Made in USA (Boulder, Colorado)
• Dimensions: 35.56 x 21.59 x 6.985 cm
• Weight: 6 kg