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Compared with the obvious alternative—buying a newer mid-priced DAC—the PS Audio PerfectWave at £950 is a strong deal. Your 14 comparable listings put the market median at £1,111, with the lower quartile at £928, so this sits just above bargain territory and comfortably below typical asking prices. Assuming it is the DAC rather than the similarly named transport, the price looks attractive.
Its appeal is substantial connectivity, balanced and RCA outputs, selectable filtering, digital volume control, and PS Audio’s well-regarded Digital Lens reclocking, which gives digital playback a focused, fluid presentation. It can also work directly into a power amplifier, potentially simplifying a system. At this price, verify the exact version, firmware, remote, and original packaging, plus confirm that the display, inputs, and volume control all behave properly; otherwise, this looks like a worthwhile enthusiast buy.
Independent perspective — not a price guarantee. Always verify condition, accessories and provenance before purchase.
PS Audio, a pioneering American hi-fi brand, traces its roots to 1973 when co-founder Paul McGowan launched the company in California alongside Stan Warren. Emerging from the analog golden age, it debuted with a standalone phono preamplifier, reflecting McGowan's early passion for vinyl playback honed through radio station connections and encounters with audio enthusiasts. The brand quickly evolved, embracing digital audio in the 1980s by releasing one of the first high-end CD players, the PS Audio CD-1, soon after Philips and Sony introduced the format.
Today, PS Audio specializes in premium electronics, including power amplifiers, preamplifiers, digital-to-analog converters (DACs), and integrated amplifiers, with a hallmark focus on power conditioning via innovative AC regenerators known as Power Plants. These devices, born from Stan Warren's mid-1980s discovery that oversized transformers enhance audio performance, remain a cornerstone. The lineup also encompasses digital lenses for refining streaming and disc playback, alongside select analog components, though it eschews speakers, headphones, turntables, or cables.
Positioned firmly in the high-end market, PS Audio commands respect among discerning audiophiles for its bold engineering and unwavering pursuit of musical purity. Celebrating 50 years in 2023, it occupies a niche as an innovator rather than a mass-market player, appealing to buyers who prioritize transformative power delivery and digital refinement in sophisticated systems.
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