🔥THIS PHONO PRE-AMP WILL BREAK YOUR BRAIN!!!

THE WAXWING PHONO DSP PRE-AMP WILL MAKE YOU RE-THINK AUDIO.
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[@parksaudiollc4697]

Thanks for the review, James! Shannon Parks here - happy to answer any questions folks may have . . .

[@BogdanWeiss]

Great product !! what is the ADC converter chip you are using ?

[@parksaudiollc4697]

@@BogdanWeiss The Waxwing (and Puffin) use the Texas Instruments PCM1808 ADC, designed by the brilliant Burr-Brown engineers. It does exactly what is needed and no more, so stereo at 96kHz (a higher sampling rate would end up losing resolution in the audio frequency range and lower DSP performance). Then the key spec is the SNR, which is 99dB. This just needs to be a bit better than the analog gain stage before it (which is the overall limiting SNR spec).

[@polderpeil]

Which digital output do you recommend; coax or optical?

[@polderpeil]

Should I pay attention to the USB power supply to use? Any recommendations?

[@parksaudiollc4697]

@@polderpeil 100% optical. Coax was considered best in the "old days" due to its speed advantage over optical and corresponding lower jitter (just a matter of speed/rise-time of switching on an LED versus a FET). As things have greatly improved in the last 30 to 40 years (much faster optical RX/TX - fiber internet anyone? - and very accurate oscillators with low PPM error) those early issues are no longer a problem at these (relatively) slower sampling rates of 48kHz and 96kHz. The key now is a needing a barrier to a system's plethora of leakage currents (a million different devices, each with a different power supply ground reference). So leakage current noise is at the top of the "2024 Audio Problems" list, and optical fixes the problem. A poor man's balanced connection, if you will.

[@PlaybackMansion]

That's a cool idea. It's good to see a company pushing the envelope

[@abxaudiophiles]

Totally agree!! 👍🏼. What a fun little unit. Hope you’re doing well bro! 😎

[@PlaybackMansion]

@@abxaudiophiles Thanks dude! Likewise!

[@Thunderbird139]

I just got this and am also running it into a Directstream DAC. It’s very fun to use and really scales up with the DAC.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Heck yea!! I thought the same. Enjoy and thanks for sharing. 😁

[@magneticcinema]

Hey Thunderbird - I have a Waxwing still in the box (sadly) and will be connecting to my PS Audio DSD DAC as well. Curious, did you decide on coax or TOSLINK into the DirectStream??? Did you try both?

[@Thunderbird139]

@@magneticcinema that’s cool enjoy it! I did try both and settled on toslink. I didn’t hear a big difference but he recommends toslink in the manual. Probably depends on your system.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@magneticcinema I would try both. I preferred the Optical as it seemed just a bit quieter, but the AfAudio coax was slightly more musical. Toss up for me, and synergy is a factor. Keep us posted.

[@hificave]

Damn this little thing is cool!!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Oh yea, if someone is a vinyl hobbyist, this is a must order and check out. Easy returns if it doesn’t pan out for one’s system.

[@Woofy-tm8si]

I am seriously considering the Waxwing. I have an LHY Linear Power Supply I bought to power my Wiim Pro Streamer (makes a HUGE improvement over the wall wart) and it has an additional 5 volt isolated output I could use to power the Waxwing which is a pretty enticing possibility given the enormous sonic improvement it had on the already decent Wiim. I can use the Waxwing's coax output to an old Monarchy Audio DIP 24/96 I have laying around and from the DIP 24/96 to my Denafrips Hermes/Pontus II via AES/EBU Balanced Digital Cable.

[@abxaudiophiles]

I don’t think you’ll be mad about it. We have about three members in our discord who have moved to the waxwing and I’m sending mine around to members to audition. All great feedback so far.

[@OldGuyHifi]

Great video my friend. See you later in the week.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Can't wait!

[@vendelius]

Sounds like a Great Product

[@abxaudiophiles]

Still loving it and some cool new updates!! Now you can test tone arm resonance without a special album. 😄

[@CUBICUB]

Great review, love Parks audio!

[@dizzle1119]

I know Parks Audio are legit and they wouldn't have put these devices out if they didn't sound good. There's years of positive reviews out there for everything Parks has ever made and they CAN'T all be wrong. There's no way. That said...I just don't understand why someone would purchase an expensive turntable and phono cartridge then put tons of money into a record collection....and then introduce a DAC & full blown digital signal processing into things. Why not just buy a nice streaming DAC for a fraction of the cost & then subscribe to one of the half dozen different streaming services? I realize this eliminates the "ritual" of picking out a record, taking it out, cleaning it, blah blah blah blah blah....but still. "Audiophile" vinyl playback is obscenely expensive, even if your entire analog chain consists of the best "bang for your buck" gear (your Fluance RT85s and Schiit phono preamps of the world). Why? The actual vinyl itself is obscenely expensive once you have a full blown collection to dig through. The cheapest pressings you're likely to find in places like Walmart and Target are $20 a pop. Why spend all this money when you're going to end up with digital playback that could be "emulated" for next-to-nothing in comparison? I mean, how into dusting off a record & sitting it atop a turntable can one be? $25,000 worth? I just don't get it. To each their own...

[@jakemurphy9536]

Would I be correct in thinking that the Waxwing does with vinyl is similar to that which Lyngdorf does, as in taking the signal then converting it to digital for processing then back to analogue? I'm really tempted by the Waxwing, and am doing my research before commiting.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Correct... It is basically a A2D convertor, then DSP, then DAC. The cool thing is you can intercept the signal after the A2D conversion and send it our to any of your favorite DAC's and bypass the Waxwing DAC if needed.. Great stuff.. Cheers

[@jakemurphy9536]

@@abxaudiophiles great. So am getting the phono stage of a Lyngdorf without the large price. Sorely tempted.

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@jakemurphy9536 Nice thing is, you can get them on Amazon. Buy, Try, keep or return. Easy breezy with Amazon’s return policy. 👌👌

[@jakemurphy9536]

@@abxaudiophiles thanks for that. Whilst I could do that, it's not something I like doing. I like my purchasing decisions to right, first time, if that is possible.

[@ascubapro]

Another great video … this is one to consider

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you!! PS - They are available on Amazon, which has a NICE return policy.. :)

[@pnichols6500]

Nice review, very intriguing product. My first thought is why not just stream? My second thought is this would be fun to play with on my second system, but still going digital on vinyl feels wrong! I have spent multiple thousands of dollars on a nice phono preamp and again on a cartridge on my main system and wouldn't want to mess that sound up. But that app you went through looks like a blast to play with, so again I may replace my MoFi phono preamp that's just OK with this.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Totally. I would not limit what system or where you try this. Test it everywhere. I say, if it sounds good, it is good, be damned the mental restraints I put on myself based of some pre conceived notions I’ve stapled on the wall of my brain 🤣☺️. I’m pretty sure they’re available on Amazon who has a very relaxed return policy. Who knows, you may end up with one on each system. I know that the Waxwing being fed by my VPI and then send to to PS audio DirectStream is nothing less than superb!! Thanks for sharing and keep us posted on your review. 😍😍🙏🏼🙂

[@Tendervittle]

Finger licking good - couldn’t careless if it slightly sounds digital. Very enjoyable/very functional

[@abxaudiophiles]

Totally fun. 😉😊

[@bengleason508]

Thanks James!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you buddy.

[@knobbshots]

I’m sorry if i missed this, but is there a setting that negates any dsp or otherwise “influences” on record sound? Like you can hear naturally and then with settings on? Does it ALWAYS have to convert to digital and back, or is there a pure analog way to listen for comparison? Awesome device, very interested. Thank you

[@parksaudiollc4697]

There is a 'Bypass' mode for untweaked audio, but there is no "analog straight through" mode. It has to be converted and the RIAA eq is digital.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thanks PA. 👌🙏🏼

[@kkjrees]

I love to hear what it does to pops n crackles, comparison, im sure this is possible without a copyright infringement, also if this technology is so good why don’t the main players produce versions?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@kkjrees The reduction of the surface noise is very subtle and only active for a few seconds per side. It just dampening the louder ones a bit. Very minimal processing. And it is “so good”, but most analog guys are too closed minded to embrace any kind of digital processing on their analog stage, that’s why mainstream won’t do it…. Hope that helps.

[@uterpia]

Thank you

[@abxaudiophiles]

You’re welcome. ☺️

[@net_news]

it's amazing I've been using it for the last 2 weeks aprox and it's amazing agree 100% with your review!! It sounds great and super quiet, not as lush as my Project Tube Box DS2 but it's so versatile that I don't care. Killer product at a killer price!! 1000000% recommended.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Heck yea!!! That’s what’s up. 😉😉🤩🤩

[@lewiswaddo5045]

This replaced my Puffin which replaced my DS2 never going back!

[@net_news]

@@lewiswaddo5045 did you have the Project Tube Box DS2? Because It sounds a little bit better than the Puffin/Waxwing for my taste. I prefer the Puffin though b/c its versatility.

[@JmieYoutube]

$499 on Amazon. I like how it works with an app

[@abxaudiophiles]

Me too! Love this damn thing.

[@jakemurphy9536]

Does the Waxwing do everything that the Puffin does? Other than that, how do those models differ?

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@jakemurphy9536 it does much much more than the puffin and has digital out that can integrate with external DAC as well as a full on stand alone app.

[@jakemurphy9536]

@@abxaudiophiles great. Thank you!

[@audiorick841]

Mind boggling how they figure the RPM only from a vinyl analog signal in. 😮

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@audiorick841 Yea. Crazy! Have you seen the app on the iPhone. It’s crazy accurate. lol. Damn technology.

[@VictorEnnis-n1w]

I never sided in a debate of analog vs digital. I’ve witnessed the strengths of both. And I never recently got into vinyl for the debate. I did so because I love the ritual, the artwork, and quite frankly it’s the only music medium that somehow forces me to sit down and experience music by albums rather than simply by song. Vinyl has changed the way I experience music. And if for no other reason than if this device can remove some of the annoying ticks and pops that sometimes appear on my albums, and yes I even get them on occasion with brand new records too, then I am all for this wondrous little box. Going to research this further and most likely add this to my system. Thank you for the informative review. It deserved a like and a comment.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Wow!! Thank you 🙏🏼….. please keep us posted if you get the Waxwing and your thoughts. 👌👌

[@bearded_wolverine3503]

Would this make a good upgrade compared to the praamp in a yahama a-s701?

[@abxaudiophiles]

I believe it would. Cool thing is, you can get them on Amazon and they have a KILLER return policy. 🫡🫡🫡

[@carminedesanto6746]

I vote COOL 😎

[@abxaudiophiles]

HECK YEA!!! Me too... :)

[@adsph]

very interesting product

[@abxaudiophiles]

I agree. Pushing the envelope 🫡😍

[@carljung9230]

why in the world would anyone go to the trouble -- and expense -- of playing a vinyl album, and then convert it to digital before listening to it?! why not stream the digital version, or better yet, listen to the analog output to begin with.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Well, as all of this is art and subjective preference, they're hundreds of ways to go about it. Thousands even. Guess ya won't know the answer to that, until you try. 🥰👌👍

[@abxaudiophiles]

And, if you watched the video, your questions would have been answered. There's 50 reasons just contained in the review. 💁

[@dajikbatarang1]

I have records that arent on streaming services and a good dac. This seems like an easy solution.

[@ABRAXAS37]

Honestly I was just looking for a phono with a subsonic filter for my subwoofer and came across this and am considering it. If it sounds good who cares if it was converted to digital still more fun than streaming

[@abxaudiophiles]

@@ABRAXAS37 so right. 😊

[@rickmilam413]

I quit at the point where I realized this thing is digital. My digital setup is great. When I listen to an LP I want ALL analog. If I want to digitize my vinyl I rip it via an Ayre A/D at 24/192. Glad it was mentioned early so I could move on.

[@abxaudiophiles]

It's a thing, as they say.. Cheers.. ;)

[@rickmilam413]

@@abxaudiophiles Cheers to you as well. I was 11 when it happened. I've probably read a dozen books on it. Some were ludicrous conspiracy theories, others more balanced. No doubt there were thing covered up but that doesn't mean there was a conspiracy. I've read two books maintaining the the Warren report was correct. One of them made some excellent points. The other was by Gerald Posner who was almost as bad as some of the more out there. conspiracy theory. Posner has a terrible reputation for plagiarism and other things but seems to be regarded as a credible source by the media. I was hoping that by this point in my life we would know.... Take care

[@markcomisky7106]

Looks confusing too techy

[@abxaudiophiles]

As simple as eating pie. 🤙

[@djsoulfilter]

Looks very simple

[@seanmolincreative]

Dude literally said you can plug it in and it just works. Every option in the app is optional. He also explained exactly how simple most options are, and how every single one has a laymen's description of what it is and how it works.

[@hificave]

So cool James! Audio “purists” need to remember, their mentality doesn’t drive the hobby forward. We need practicality convevience and innovation if we want to hope to bring the next best step forward.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thanks buddy!! I totally agree. 👍🏼

[@frankgeeraerts6243]

OK........now it is time to come out of your cave ......

[@dr.paulj.watson4582]

Great review! I am glad to learn this still has some of the testing functions of the Puffin.

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you!! 🙏🏼

[@middleearthltd]

Been waiting for this review Excellent review 🙏🙏🙏

[@abxaudiophiles]

Thank you and you are welcome!! Such a cool little unit.

[@lewiswaddo5045]

Awesome stuff! Love the waxwing! I dropped the analogue only mantra, and embraced the puffin and now waxwing! I’m never going back!

[@abxaudiophiles]

Heck yea!! 🤗🤩