Wyred4Sound

[jaxwired]

I recently purchase a Wyred4Sound STi-1000 integrated amplifier. Thought I'd share my thoughts on this piece of kit (as somebody requested). The previous amplifier in my system was a NAD M2. The NAD M2 is an excellent integrated amplifier and has an extremely quiet noise floor. The M2 has great clarity and detail but remains very smooth sounding. The one thing that might not be strictly neutral with the M2 is the bass. The amp has fantastic bass, but I think it is just a smidge over done. In the past, I really enjoyed the fullness of the bass delivery, but when I purchase my latest speakers, PMC IB2s, they didn't need this help in the bass department. So I decided to try the Wyred4Sound integrated amp for two reasons. First, I wanted something with massive power because the IB2S can handle it and because I thought that would help control the woofers on the IB2S and give them the power to sound their best. Secondly, I happen to find a Wyred4Sound STi-1000 on the used market at a very attractive price. So I bought it. To be honest, I did not expect to like the amp. I've been using amps that are a bit more expensive so I didn't think this amp would be in that league but also, the amp just doesn't look very impressive (not a good indicator of sound quality I know, but it impacted my expectations). Well, I could not have been more wrong with my low expectations for this integrated amplifier. I turns out to have fabulous sound quality. Massive power that is palpable. Rock solid control of the big woofers on the IB2S speakers. Clean, quiet, and detailed sound without the harshness that sometimes is attributed to class D ampfliiers like this. Like many current class D amplfiers on the market the Wyred4Sound amps are based on the Bang&Olufson ICE power modules. But they are modified and coupled to Wyred's own prorietary input and output states. Also Wyred uses a very high quality stepped resistor volume control for the preamp section. The amp is very high quality for the price. I love that the amps generates very little heat and is small and light compared to any comparable class A/B amplifiers. The Wyred amp has done exactly what I was hoping for when I replace the NAD M2 (which I still highly recommend). The amp is a great match for these big PMC speakers.

 

[jaxwired]

Here's a video of the amp and speakers in action: CLICK HERE

 

[bluedroog]

Is this it this time?!

Looks good. I'd love to see a summary of all the gear you've been through and the pros and cons and how they compare. Are you searching for something missing or just like to try new stuff? I often check out your youtube vids.

 

[Craig M.]

Here's a video of the amp and speakers in action: CLICK HERE

Like the look of that, nice and minimal looking - not 10 million boxes just to play some music.

 

[jaxwired]

Is this it this time?!

Not unless I'm dead or broke.

 

[CnoEvil]

Is this it this time?!

Not unless I'm dead or broke.

What ever else you do......you always get interesting kit. 8)

 

[DocG]

Here's a video of the amp and speakers in action: CLICK HERE

Like the look of that, nice and minimal looking - not 10 million boxes just to play some music.

Thanks for your quick reply, jax!

Looks very neat, indeed! And minimal... Except those speakers! :O But I'm sure 2 x 1000 W can tame the beasts!

I guess you really like the result. And um... what about the neighbours?

 

[bluebrazil]

what did you not like about the dynaudio c1's jax, i know you had contours and how would you describe the difference in the 2 please.

( if the question is in the context of you using them both with the bryston)

 

[jaxwired]

what did you not like about the dynaudio c1's jax, i know you had contours and how would you describe the difference in the 2 please.

( if the question is in the context of you using them both with the bryston)

what didn't I like about the c1s? That would be nothing. The c1s are superb. But, there is something special about PMC speakers that dynaudio doesn't quite match. I love dynaudio speakers, but PMC just has an amazing balance. More than any speaker I've ever heard PMC manages to sound open clean and detailed yet still smooth and listenable. This is magic. Maybe it's just lower distortion, I don't know how they do it and everybody has different priorities but for what I like PMC nails it.

 

[Gerrardasnails]

You might want to try the W4S DAC1or 2. I have the 1 and your description of the amp sounds very familiar.

 

[bluebrazil]

maybe see if you can try an electrocompanient amp jax, great synergy with pmc. i also heard a high end classe av power amp running a complete pmc surround system, ib2's front three and ob1's for rears i think, that was impressive.

 

[jaxwired]

To be honest, I'm really tempted by the new PMC twotwo speakers. If I could get similar performance of the IB2s in a much smaller (and more attractive) package, I'd be thrilled. The twotwo.8 looks pretty promising. Unfortunately, there's no way for me to hear one without just buying it outright. In the USA there is only one retailer for the PMC pro lines.

But, I've always wanted to try active speakers. Some people swear by them. The twotwo series have digital crossovers and have dedicated amps for each driver. Not to mention DSP and built in DACs. Very cool.