Rockna Wavedream Signature single-ended high-end FPGA-controlled ladder DAC

Committed to mostly vinyl listening anyway, I expected to be content with Audiobyte’s pure FPGA Hydra VOX. Although it shares qualities that more than hint at Rockna’s top DAC, what I heard from landing the Wavedream Edition SE had me jump out of the listening seat within a minute and immediately order the Signature for my personal use. It was a swift and visceral reaction I’ve never experienced hearing a new (to me) audio component. It makes most DACs sound mechanical in comparison. The Wavedream Signature is on permanent demo via I2S cable from the amazing Audiobyte HUB - tasked with isolating computer USB noise, reclocking and resampling to the Wavedream’s native resolution - relieving it of conversion duties. One consistent effect testing various amps is that the Wavedream makes any amp sound like a more powerful version of itself.

Srajan’s (6moons.com) review neatly describes Rockna’s virtues “Their Wavedream converter started life driving MSB modules... But today's Wavedream runs on proprietary tech. Over the years, Rockna's Nicolae has provided OEM/ODM assistance to... PS Audio with their PerfectWave transport, Wadia, Goldmund and even MSB… rhythmic virility. Anything percussive like actual drums, string plucks, brass and woodwind staccato was spiky, toned and unconfused… the Wavedream had taut timing precision in its back pocket. Finally, it also was chunky tonally. That means virtues one expects from valves relative to tone… summed to feisty, robust and dynamically vigorous. This segues back at active not passive preamp action. A number of DACs no longer use actual output stages… The Wavedream has one and sounds it… What Nicolae Jitaru's recipe ended up with was greater physicality or presence…”

Review of the entry-level version Wavedream Edition SE hifible.blogspot.com/2017/01/rockna-audio-wavedream-dac.html

Reference Audio Systems is an hour north of Auckland on the Matakana coast