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

i tried the psa d-link with cullen 3 mods (as well as the psa ds)

it is quite a bright, detailed dac, somewhat grainy in the treble

if you are conditioned and like that sonic presentation in your system (likely other parts of your system is compensating a little or a lot...) i am not surprised you find the psa direct stream rolled off and dull in comparsion

before you quit the d-s, you should make sure it has the latest (and last) sunlight firmware update from ted, which brings out the detail much more than earlier windom...

still, with sunlight, the d-s is a more top to bottom balanced dac than the cullen’d d-link... which really fires the treble detail at the listener without relent nor remorse

Well I'm sure it'll need some break-in time but I believe it upsamples all incoming signals to DSD, so I don't know how that goes with you.

How long have you had the new dac before coming to this conclusion about the sound?  It’s entirely possible you just prefer your older one, which is fine, but I think you need to listen to the new one for at least 2 weeks before making a judgment. Part of the break in is the component and part is you getting used to a different presentation.  If it’s not happening by then, just return it. 

Thanks for the responses. I am sure the Direct Stream is a much better DAC than Digital Link, it just doesn't seem to work well with my system.   It was purchased second hand so it should be broken in.  Yes, I prefer the brightness and detail (no grain) of the Digital Link since it contributes to the airiness and realness of the sound.  The Direct Stream sounded much better than the Digital Link on several recordings, however, for most, it wasn't doing it for me.

I just wanted to point out that the process of upgrading is not always positive.

This happened before when I tried to upgrade my speakers from B&W 805D2 to Martin Logan ESL 13A ($16K).  The same thing happened...much bigger, soundstage at the expense of air, impact and "you are there" feeling.  The tweeters of the 805D2 are fantastic so the ML's went back.

we like what we like, it’s all good

it is good you tried, and came to your own conclusion - that is more than many do here...

it is true newer is not alway better, and system synergy counts for much

you did not say whether your directstream has the sunlight firmware... that really matters...

anyhow, the good news is you’re 3 grand richer if you jettison the d-s, keep the d-link 😆

Sunlight has been installed.

that DAC takes a long long time to break in

I have had the Cullen modded Digital Link III for several years now. This DAC is amazing with my Maggie setup.  I upgraded my DAC last year only to accommodate DSD and MQA. I keep the PSIII in my other system. 

Have you thought of changing out the interconnects to ones that have a brighter presentation?

I just bought a use DirectStream myself and can see where you could consider the presentation rolled off.  I need to give it some play time until I become familiar with it and then see if I can shape the sound with power cords and interconnects,