Wyred 4 Sound

[jaxwired]

Anybody have any experience with Wyred 4 Sound amps? These are class D amps and inexpensive as they are sold direct to the public via the internet. They have gotten a couple of good reviews. This questions is more for my American brethren, but I suspect they ship world wide as they say their amps are configurable for USA or UK voltage...

http://www.wyred4sound.com/

 

[Anonymous]

I'm going to bump this purely because if I didn't I would start a thread on it. I'm looking into a variety of Class D options and this is one.

Thoughts from the WHF members? Thanks!

 

[MattSPL]

I have taken this text from an advert for a Ps Audio GCA 500 amplifier

Offered for sale: a PS Audio GCA 500. The amplifier is rated @ 525w/ ch 8 O., 1000w/ch 4 O, and features PS Audio's proprietary Gain Cell input stage.

If you are looking at the Bel Canto Reference mkI or mkII, you should definitely take a look at this amplifier. It is in excellent condition both cosmetically and physically.

If you are not already aware, this amplifier uses the same Bang and Olufsen ASP Circuit Modules as the Bel Canto, Jeff Rowland, PS Audio, Wyred4Sound etc... Without modification, these amplifiers would all be identical save cosmetics. The two badges that do make modifications to the signal path are PS Audio and Wyred4Sound.The PS Audio uses a proprietary Gain Cell and the Wyred4Sound rejiggers a couple key parts to raise the input impedence to 60.4kO.

A little less than a year ago I got a bug to hear this difference, so I purchased a PS Audio GCA500 and this D-Sonic amplifier (modified by Cullen to match the Wyred4Sound product) to have a listen and compare with my then reference Bel Canto Ref 1k. I ended up settling on my preference for the Cullen input stage, and bought a multi-channel Wyred4Sound amp. The PS Audio was a close second, which leaned to the warm side. I promptly sold my pair of Bel Canto Ref 1k mkI which, although nice to look at, were a step below the refinement of the amplifiers with modified input stages. Bel Canto now offers a mkII amplifier with an improved input stage. I've yet to hear it. I am sure it provides similar benefits to what you can own here at a +20% discount to a Wyred amplifier or pair of mkI amps. And a huge +55% discount to Bel Canto's mkII.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks Matt, I'll look into it. The Bel Canto seems a bit dear for me with W4S being more affordable.

Also, many Class D's are classed as being lean and cool, not something I like, particularly with my ruthlessly revealing ATCs, so any that lean to warm are good!

 

[Anonymous]

PS Audio doesn't really have anything for sale anymore. Only one power amp that's 100W/channel. Everything seems to have been discontinued in 2009.

 

[MattSPL]

Beta4Me:PS Audio doesn't really have anything for sale anymore. Only one power amp that's 100W/channel. Everything seems to have been discontinued in 2009.

I think Ps audio has its perfect wave series at the moment.
Including its range of power cables, Dac and transport.

My new Chapter power amp uses a class D output stage and it works perfectly with my ATC's but its transparency is showing up compression on cd's very easily and the leaness of my Arcam CD33.

The reviews for the wyred 4 sound look to be very good for the money but something like ATC's SIA2-150 would probably suit better.

 

[Anonymous]

MattSPL:
The reviews for the wyred 4 sound look to be very good for the money but something like ATC's SIA2-150 would probably suit better.

Unfortunately I cannot use it (as much as I would like to) as I have a 9.1 ATC Multichannel system (as per sig.) that needs powe amplification

 

[MattSPL]

Beta4Me:MattSPL:
The reviews for the wyred 4 sound look to be very good for the money but something like ATC's SIA2-150 would probably suit better.

Unfortunately I cannot use it (as much as I would like to) as I have a 9.1 ATC Multichannel system (as per sig.) that needs powe amplification

Ah right.

Well, how about a Krell Kav 300i, 300iL or 400xi?
All have the ability to just be used as a power amp in a system setup like yours.

I just sold my Kav 300i. They are a great amp but need silver fuses installed and a good power cord to sound their best.

 

[Anonymous]

OK. I'll look into that. Although, isn't Krell uber-expensive?

 

[Anonymous]

After looking for a bit I see that not all of their products are. Do they have any multichannel amplifiers?

 

[MattSPL]

The 3 amps i mentioned above can be had for between £600 and £1200 second hand and all have a switchable input so can be used for an Av system.

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not rally comfortable with second hand; particularly the usual lack of warranty. I'm fine with ex-demo, just not SH. But, thanks for the suggestion--appreciate your help.

 

[MattSPL]

No worries.
A lot of stuff i have bought over the years has been used equipment, including the Chapter amp's i just bought.

Buying second hand allows you to reach equipment that you could only dream of buying new.
And in most cases, high end gear has be owned and looked after by people who care for their expensive purchases.

If you can find used stuff from a dealer who has taken it as a trade in, then you usually get a warrenty

 

[Anonymous]

That's true--but we have very few dealers and a limited market in Australia.
Still, I'd rather take less and have it new (or pref. ex-dem).

 

[MattSPL]

Yeah i know the feeling, im in Ireland myself and only 1 real hifi shop here.
I bought my speakers and amp's from a dealer in Scotland.

And there is something satisfying about new gear, especially speakers that smell so nice and new.

Good look with the purchasing anyway

 

[Anonymous]

Thank you. I do appreciate your help.

 

[Anonymous]

If I may ask: how mcuh was your Chapter Audio power amp? Also, with your setup, what made you choose CH over ATC for the pre/power or int' amp'?
Have you been able to comapre your CH gear with W4S? If so, what were your thoughts?
Thanks!

 

[Anonymous]

I'd very much appreciate your thoughts Matt--or anyone elses!

 

[MattSPL]

I was upgrading from a Krell Kav300i intergrated amp rated at 150w/ch, so my main aim was more power and control for my ATC's.

I was going to buy a used Krell FPB200 power amp and use the Kav300i as a pre, but needed any equipment to fit into my Hifi/Tv unit to keep the girlfriend happy. An FPB200 would have filled the unit itself.

So then i looked at my options and decided Chord Electronics amplifiers suited my needs for sound and size, which then lead me to Chapter Audio that is owned by 2 Ex Chord Electronics Engineers.