DAC Upgrade Dilemma - PS Audio Digital Link III w/Cullen Mod to Direct Stream DAC vs

I’ve owned a PS Audio Digital Link III with Cullen mods for several years now and have been extremely happy with it.

I recently purchased a PS Audit Direct Steam DAC thinking the sound would improve tremendously. Especially since it is about 3 times the price.

I was very disappointed!

After hooking up the Direct Stream and comparing the sound to my other DAC...

- Bass was fuller and seemed to fill the soundstage more. I could hear more lower register detail which seemingly allowed me to see further into the soundstage.

- The sound was lacking badly in air, immediacy,

- Bass was less tight

- Instruments were not as pronounced separately with less air around them.

- Vocals were more 2 dimensional and flatter than my other DAC which has 3 dimensional presence with air around the voices.

- Close mic acoustic guitar had less impact and immediacy. Strumming was less dynamic and impactful on the Direct Stream.

- Bass was razor tight with the old DAC, acoustic bass sounded amazing. Bass was good on the Direct Stream but not tight and a little looser probably because it is going lower.

- Sound was smoother on the Direct Stream. The Digital Link had more pronounced high frequency response and can get strident on some recordings.

These difference were immediately apparent. Upon switching back to the Digital Link, I was immediately transformed to a live event.

The only seeming improvement in the Direct Stream is I was able to see more into the stage due to it’s enveloping bass response. Unfortunately, this did not increase my listening pleasure and experience of listening to a live event.

The Direct Stream sounded like recorded music which got boring after a while. The Digital Link sounds more like live music which enables me to listen to it for hours on end.

Needless to say, I am getting rid of the Direct Stream. I’m not saying it is a bad DAC since maybe it does not match my current system and setup.

Bass is definitely more full and deeper on the Direct Stream at the expense of "air" around instruments and vocals and less tight which may work better on a system with larger speakers. I have B&W 805d 2 monitor type speakers.

And it’s possible that the Cullen mod really improves the analog portion of the electronics allowing more air to the presentation.

Comments?

Thanks,

Ernie