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Author Topic: PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MKI Measurements (FW 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4)  (Read 3150 times)

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PS Audio PerfectWave DAC MKI Measurements (FW 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4)
« on: May 23, 2014, 11:39:30 AM »
Test Hardware and Setup

- PS Audio PWD MKI - SPDIF coax input from JKSPDIF, also did some brief USB tests. Took measurements of FWs 2.0.2 and 2.4.4. Remember, MK1, not MK2. I couldn't get USB to work on 2.0.2, so those are all 2.4.4 measurements. Assuming SPDIF if it doesn't specify.

- DIY Gaming Desktop - i5 2500K locked at 4.5GHz, Biostar TZ77XE3 motherboard, GTX 780, Antec EarthWatts 650W Green PSU, Auzentech Bravura sound card, 4 140mm fans, goofy UV cathode lights in case, Fractal Design Define R4 case...overall, most likely not optimal for audio, but does well enough as an output in tests and represents a real-life scenario for many. Plugged into APC H10 power conditioner. I did run Fidelizer on it for the tests. Used USB 3.0 ports from the mobo, tested for which ones produce best results and use those. Generally does not cause issues.

- Creative X-FI HD USB (SB1240) - Takes line-out signal from DAC to line-in for recording purposes, powered by USB bus, plugged into Surface Pro. Unit is limited to 48/96KHz input/output.

-1st gen Microsoft Surface Pro - Records from SB1240 via USB. Running Fidelizer tweaks. Battery powered. Screen is touchable and thus is a more spiritually fulfilling experience. Produces cleaner and generally better results than running the SB1240 from the desktop as well.

Software

RightMark RMAA 6.3.0, ARTA

Misc. Notes

Creative SB1240 has a slight roll-off in the bass.

I do not guarantee 100% accuracy with these measurements. Good DACs can fairly easily max out the capabilities of my SB1240.

Links

Creative SB1240 - http://us.creative.com/p/sound-blaster/sound-blaster-digital-music-premium-hd
RightMark Audio Analyzer - http://audio.rightmark.org/index_new.shtml
ARTA: http://www.artalabs.hr/
« Last Edit: May 23, 2014, 01:18:41 PM by hans030390 »
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PWD MK1 16/48 RightMark Measurements - 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4 - Filter 1
« Reply #1 on: May 23, 2014, 11:50:06 AM »
16/48 RightMark results using native mode and filter 1, comparing FWs 2.0.2 (green) and 2.4.4 (white). Both results exhibit a very slight bump in the FR above 10KHz. Some very slight differences between the two. Overall, quite good measurements.

TestFW 2.4.4 (White)FW 2.0.2 (Green)
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB   +0.03, -0.07+0.03, -0.07
Noise level, dB (A)   -97.4-97.3
Dynamic range, dB (A)   97.397.3
THD, %   0.00390.0038
IMD + Noise, %   0.00630.0063
Stereo crosstalk, dB   -95.7-96.1

Attached pictures in order are:

1. Frequency response
2. Noise
3. Dynamic Range
4. THD
5. IMD
6. Crosstalk
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PWD MK1 16/48 RightMark Measurements - 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4 - Filter 3
« Reply #2 on: May 23, 2014, 11:54:38 AM »
16/48 RightMark results using native mode and filter 3, comparing FWs 2.0.2 (green) and 2.4.4 (white). Measurements are still good overall. Some of the slight differences in the last measurements are still present here. Some differences are within the normal margin of error.

TestFW 2.4.4 (White)FW 2.0.2 (Green)
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB   +0.03, -0.07+0.03, -0.07
Noise level, dB (A)   -97.3-97.4
Dynamic range, dB (A)   97.397.3
THD, %   0.00390.0039
IMD + Noise, %   0.00600.0060
Stereo crosstalk, dB   -96.1-95.7
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PWD MK1 24/96 RightMark Measurements - 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4 - Filter 3
« Reply #3 on: May 23, 2014, 11:59:40 AM »
24/96 RightMark results using native mode and filter 3, comparing FWs 2.0.2 (green) and 2.4.4 (white). Overall results are good. The 24/96 measurements give us a better view at the slight differences between the firmwares. Let's see how other measurements compare.

TestFW 2.4.4 (White)FW 2.0.2 (Green)
Frequency response (from 40 Hz to 15 kHz), dB   +0.02, -0.08+0.02, -0.08
Noise level, dB (A)   -105.0-104.6
Dynamic range, dB (A)   104.9104.5
THD, %   0.00390.0040
IMD + Noise, %   0.00540.0049
Stereo crosstalk, dB   -99.0-98.6
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PWD MKI Jitter Measurements (FW 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4)
« Reply #4 on: May 23, 2014, 12:06:56 PM »
24/48 JTest (jitter) measurements. Images attached are as follows (SPDIF unless specified otherwise):

1. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 1, Native mode
2. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 3, Native mode
3. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 1, Native mode
4. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 3, Native mode
5. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 1, PWD upampled to 192KHz
6. FW 2.4.4 - USB input, Filter 3, Native mode
7. FW 2.4.4 - USB input, Filter 3, PWD upsampled to 48KHz
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PWD MKI -90.31dB Measurements (FW 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4)
« Reply #5 on: May 23, 2014, 12:14:35 PM »
Low-level, -90.31dB 1KHz sine wave tests. Files attached are as follows:

1. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 3, native mode, 16/48
2. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 3, native mode, 24/48
3. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 3, native mode, 16/48
4. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 3, native mode, 24/48
5. FW 2.4.4 - USB, native mode, 16/48
6. FW 2.4.4 - USB, 48KHz upsampled, 16/48
7. FW 2.4.4 - USB, native mode, 24/48
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PWD MKI 19KHz Measurements (FW 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4)
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2014, 12:19:29 PM »
Single sine wave at 19KHz, at both 0dB and -3dB. Images attached are as follows:

1. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 1, native mode
2. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 3, native mode
3. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 3, native mode
4. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 3, 48KHz upsampled
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PWD MKI 13/14KHz Measurements (FW 2.0.2 vs 2.4.4)
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2014, 12:22:46 PM »
13/14KHz measurements, at both 0dB and -3dB.

1. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 1, native mode
2. FW 2.0.2 - Filter 3, native mode
3. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 3, native mode
4. FW 2.4.4 - Filter 3, 48KHz upsampled
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PWD MKI Square Wave Measurements (FW 2.0.2)
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2014, 12:35:26 PM »
1KHz square wave measurements on FW 2.0.2. For all 5 filters, all native mode, the left side is a -3dB 1Khz 16/48 signal, and the right side is a 24/96 signal. If my measurements are correct, the 24/96 filters are different and yet don't always seem to match their 16/48 counterpart.

PS Audio lists the filters as such in the PWD MK1 manual:

 1. AUTO - This will automatically choose filter MP Soft for 44.1kHz and LP Soft for any
 higher sample rates.
 2. Filter 1 - Minimum phase Apodising filter.
 3. Filter 2 - Minimum phase soft knee filter.
 4. Filter 3 - Linear phase Apodising filter.
 5. Filter 4 - Linear phase soft knee filter.
 6. Filter 5 - Minimum phase recursive Half Band symmetrical filter.

Images are attached in filter order. Didn't measure Auto.
« Last Edit: May 23, 2014, 01:18:12 PM by hans030390 »
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PWD MKI Square Wave Measurements (FW 2.4.4)
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2014, 12:59:58 PM »
Square wave measurements for FW 2.4.4. I was wondering if other FWs might have implemented different digital filters, but that doesn't appear to be the case. Same as before with the first 5 filters posted in order (native mode). The last two attachments show what happens to filter 2 when you upsample to 48KHz and 96KHz on the PWD (what happens at 192KHz is a fairly obvious continuation).
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