Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2v2 Series
The DAC-2v2 SE brings analog-like warmth, layered soundstage, and firmly controlled bass to high-resolution digital playback. TONEAudio MAGAZINE found its natural vocals, fine detail, and glare-free ease especially compelling over long sessions, while its variable output, extensive inputs, and balanced architecture make it a flexible, high-value centerpiece for ambitious digital systems.
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Deliciously Crispy
Sound Quality
93/100
Build Quality
90/100
Features Connectivity
86/100
Value for Money
95/100
Pros
Natural, slightly warm and highly detailed presentation remains free of listening fatigue over long sessions.
Expansive, convincingly layered soundstage with strong image extension beyond the speakers.
Solid, impactful bass and major dynamic punch without upper-register glare.
Flexible connectivity and variable output allow direct connection to a power amplifier, adding preamp-like utility.
Cons
Its relaxed, edge-softening voicing may not suit listeners seeking a starkly revealing presentation of recording glare or stridency.
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What Reviewers Are Saying
SOUND QUALITY PERFORMANCE 93/100
The DAC-2v2 SE is described as natural, relaxed, and deeply engaging, combining a touch of warmth with strong bass control and an expansive, layered soundstage. Reviewers particularly praise its freedom from upper-register glare and its ability to make extended listening easy and involving.
Tonal Balance and Musicality
95/100
TONEAudio found the presentation natural and relaxed, with male and female vocals rendered convincingly and no sharp edges to encourage fatigue. It also praised the DAC's solid, impactful bass and called its sound engaging enough to give an analog enthusiast a serious alternative to far more expensive playback.
Resolution and Detail
93/100
The review reports a high level of detail retrieval accompanied by slight warmth rather than an overly clinical balance. It highlights the DAC's ability to reconstruct subtle details and portray a wide, convincingly layered soundstage with cues extending well beyond the speakers.
Digital Performance
91/100
The jitter-reduction settings reportedly operated without stutter, and the lowest setting brought a smoother, more relaxed character. Reviewers also note an absence of upper-register glare, helping digital playback sound clean and unforced over long sessions.
Assessments of Build Quality, Usability, and Overall Propositions.
Build Quality
90/100
TONEAudio explicitly describes the DAC as having excellent build quality, paired with understated modern styling. The five-year warranty was also said to inspire confidence, though the review offers limited detail on long-term durability or internal construction.
Features Connectivity
86/100
Connectivity is extensive, including USB, dual coaxial and optical inputs, AES/EBU, and a balanced I2S connection. Balanced and unbalanced outputs, a display, remote control, and defeatable variable output allow it to serve directly into a power amplifier as well as in a conventional DAC setup; it supports PCM to 32-bit/384kHz and DSD256.
Value for Money
95/100
At the approximately $3,799 DAC-2v2 SE asking price, TONEAudio considered its performance a substantial value beside high-end DACs costing well above $10,000. The publication gave it an Exceptional Value Award, citing its unusually accomplished and engaging sound for the money.
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Specifications
- DAC-2v2 Features
- ESS Sabre 9028PRO 32 bit DAC chip W4S proprietary discrete output stages for optimum sonics ESS Time Domain Jitter Eliminator Automatic oversampling for precise output filtering Asynchronous USB input and balanced I2S input support up to 32-bit 384kHz PCM and up to DSD256 Improved audio quality through USB input USB 2.0 compliancy & ASIO 2.2 (Drivers support for Mac and Linux systems) Galvanic isolation Fully balanced design with balanced and unbalanced outputs Upgradable Digital, Output, and USB boards (designed for future improvements) Oversized toroidal transformer for solid and noise-free power 88,000uF of filtering with W4S low ESR super-cap (same as used in the STP-SE) VFD display for input, sample rate, volume control, and configuration viewing Remote control Defeatable 32 bit volume control HT Bypass inputs (selectable via DC trigger) 2x Coax inputs 2x Toslink inputs 1x AES/EBU input 1x Balanced I2S input via HDMI cable (note: not standard HDMI cable format) Proprietary drivers for Windows (no drivers needed for Mac or Linux) Factory selectable mains 115/230VAC Compact size (8.5W x 4.125H x 13.5D) 14 lbs. Covered by a 5 YEAR WARRANTY
- DAC-2v2 SE (adds the following to the DAC-2v2)
- ESS Sabre 9038PRO 32 bit DAC chip Custom Vishay Z-Foil resistors (0.1% tolerance and a +/-0.5ppm/°C) Femto Grade Clock (82 fSec phase jitter) Ultra-low noise discrete regulators (100+ times quieter and faster than the stock regulator) Ultra-fast recovery Schottkey diodes Premium grade inductors Upgraded fuse Green OLED display for input, sample rate, volume control, and configuration viewing
- DAC-2v2 and 2v2SE Specs
- Typical Distortion THD+N (20-20kHz A-weighted @ Vol. 55): <0.002% THD+N Frequency Response (20-20kHz): ± 0.065db S/N Ratio: > 120 db Crosstalk: > 125 db Noise (A-weighted): < 7uV Noise: < 9uV Balanced Output Level (Vol. 100%): 10.5V (20.1 db) Unbalanced Output Level (Vol. 100%): 5.2V (14.5 db) Output Impedance: DAC-2v2: 100Ω, DAC-2v2SE: 50Ω Channel Tracking: < ± 0.50 db Dimensions: 8.5W x 4.125H x 13.5D Weight: 14 lbs.
Manufacturer's Description — Wyred 4 Sound
DAC 2v2 Series
Based on our immensely popular, multi-award-winninng DAC-2 series (DAC-2, DAC-2 DSD and DAC-2 DSDse), our new DAC-2v2 series is like an upgraded "classic". At the heart of the 2v2 series is the all-new ESS Sabre 9028PRO for the DAC 2v2 or state-of-the-art reference 9038PRO for the DAC-2v2se. These new ESS PRO chips offer many significant improvements over their predecessors including higher SNR, more filters and a newer iteration of ESS' HyperStreamDAC technology. Additionally, the new 2v2 series features fully-balanced circuitry, hi-res PCM and 4x DSD-capability, remote control, volume control (to directly drive your amplifier if desired), upgraded architecture and updated casework.
DAC-2v2
At the heart of the DAC-2v2 is the remarkable new ESS Sabre 9028PRO chip. This chip is a significant improvement on the former flagship 9018S chip in many ways and we're pleased to offer it in the newly redesigned DAC-2v2. Combined with our proprietary discrete output stages, which optimize sonics, the DAC-2v2 delivers the most accurate and musical sound.
The back of the DAC-2v2 supports a host of digital connections: coax, toslink, AES-EBU, USB and I²S. The DAC-2v2's USB connection utilizes galvanic isolation to eliminate computer noise from the audio signal completely. The USB input, as well as the balanced I²S input, both support PCM files up to 32-bit/384kHz and quad DSD.
Integer mode compatibility allows direct communication between the signal source for bit-perfect playback in Mac systems. Additionally, the DSD interface is driverless for Mac and Linux platforms, ensuring seamless installation. A simple driver install is needed for USB streaming from PC systems.
With its built-in volume control functionality, the DAC-2v2 allows audiophiles with 100% digital systems to completely eliminate the need for a preamp, reducing signal processing and increasing transparency. Of course, the preamp section is fully defeatable for those with preamps that they prefer to use. The DAC-2v2 offers audiophiles the clearest window into their music and a truly sublime listening experience.
DAC-2v2 SE, with the reference 9038PRO DAC chip
Our flagship, special edition DAC-2v2 SE builds on the DAC-2v2 and is a tour-de-force in DAC technology and a bonfide reference product by any standard. At it's heart, the new 2v2SE gets the best DAC chip on the market, the ESS 9038PRO. This chip is absolutely state-of-the-art with respect to specs and sonics. The 2v2SE is all about no-compromise, so how could we not use the best chip available?
Enhancing the already stellar performance of our DAC-2v2, the DAC-2v2 SE includes an array of highly upgraded components: Vishay Z-Foil resistors, ultra-low noise discrete regulators, ultra-fast recovery Schottkey diodes, premium grade inductors, green OLED display and a premium upgraded fuse. The culmination of these enhancements is refined audio performance down to the minutest nuances.
Delivering the highest quality audio of our digital-to-analog convertors, the DAC-2v2 SE is like the DAC-2v2 on steroids! As with all our DAC v2 products, the DAC-2v2 SE is both an incredible performer and a great value for your dollar, easily out classing DACs 3-4x the cost. With the DAC-2v2 SE, you will enjoy simply the best sound from your music system.
Femto grade clock upgrade option for DAC-2v2 (already included in DAC-2v2 SE models):
Accuracy and overall quality of the master clock are crucial to obtaining optimum sound quality. The standard clock is no slouch but you now have the option to upgrade to the highest grade component available in its class. Implementation of this femto grade clock optimizes audio quality by lowering phase jitter by over 80%, as well as greatly reducing phase noise in the digital circuit. Clocks of this grade are typically found in DAC's retailing for $5K or more! The DAC-2v2 SE model comes with this clock standard and for a modest fee you can select the upgraded clock during the checkout process for either the DAC-1v2 or DAC-2v2 models.
Verified Dealers
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Authorized dealers for Wyred 4 Sound DAC-2v2 Series
- Elite Audio UK — online and in-store — Pittenweem, Escocia, United Kingdom (website)
- Hi Fi Mansion — in-store — Rivas-Vaciamadrid, Comunidad de Madrid, Spain (website)
- Mister Hifi — online and in-store — Raamsdonksveer, Noord-Brabant, Netherlands (website)
- Reference Analog — online and in-store — Moore, Oklahoma, United States (website)
- Theatermax LLC — in-store — Boca Raton, Florida, United States (website)