I've got one that's complete, and one not. The complete one sounds quite a bit drier than other snares that i have that are similar size, brass, etc. (that have regular snares). I think it might have something to do with the original snare wires, which seem to be a heaver gauge than normal. I don't think i have the snare frame quite as loose as recommended, but i do have the wires fairly tight. The sound i get is not choked at all, and i can still hear the "note" of the shell. I really like it. To my ear it sounds sort of like Buddy Rich's snare on the "Big Swing Face" album, which i'm told was a wood Dynasonic, recorded in 1967.
So MUCH of this is subjective of course .. but .. I have two Rogers wood Dynasonics, a 1967 and a 1968. Neither of them sounds "choked" or overly dry .. but .. as 8upwithit mentioned, wires, heads, tension, even one's personal technique, have a lot to do with it! I will say that my 1967 has an "edge" over the 1968. Not all wood Dynasonics sound the same! Having owned 5 wood Dynasonics over the years, I happened to make that particular discovery. Regardless, absolutely beautiful playing/sounding snare drums .. IF .. they are set up correctly with regard to pre-tensioning the wires within the frame, and how gently said frame is pulled up against the reso/bottom head. I will also add from experience, the PureSound wires are very high quality and well made!, but I found them to be a taste "dark", probably owing to the gauge/weight of the wires themselves. Just personal taste! :)
Tommyp