direct stream 2-Stereophile review

I opted to have my DSD MKI upgraded by JK Richards with his custom designed nickel transformers along with the VOCM caps. I couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The DAC is in an entirely different League now, so much more refined and musical. Highly recommended if you have a DSD MKI, and don’t want to drop the necessary coin to upgrade to the Mk II.

Link to thread on upgrading your DSD MKI or MkII.

https://forum.audiogon.com/discussions/modding-the-ps-audio-directstream-dac-mk1-and-mk2

I was/am still using all the gear that is in my system page with the exception of the Lumin U2 streamer.  Converting my LAN to fiber optics helped the DS DAC a ton but I just knew it was still missing something.  The U2 showed me quite handily what my setup was missing.  Fantastic streamer (using it via the fiber network input) and I could not be happier with digital playback now.  Highs are no longer overly softened which leads way to far better 3D imaging and soundstage perception.

Admittedly, the MkI and MkII do let through ultrasonic noise, which can be problematic for some gear. I thought this was true of all DSD DACs that don’t band limit their output (but I could be wrong). In my case my Pass gear is completely unaffected. What amp were you using with it?

I am sure the Mk.2 betters the Mk.1 in every category - as it should.  But I am so much happier with my system after moving away from PS Audio gear (P12 and DSD Mk.1).  'Noise' with the DSD (used as a Roon Endpoint) was an understatement. 

Another MkII owner. IMO JA’s review has no reflection to the reality of how good this DAC is (other than his admission he continually exceeded his allotted timeframe listening to it, which is a curious juxtaposition). I’ve been a PSA DAC user since the PWD MkI. The DS MkII is far and away a superior DAC to the DS MkI. Everything about it is better, including the retrieval of the most subtle nuances in a recording, which is interesting given how JA’s measurement methodology suggests such a thing should be worse over the DS MkI. Not the case by a long shot. @mglik, may I suggest you give the MkII a try since it’s already been ordered? You can be your own judge. 🙂

I'm a very happy owner of the DSD MKll...was quite surprised at how negative the JA review was..especially as it's very rare to see such a negative review of an expensive product in a mainstream mag...lots on this in the PS Audio Forums if you're interested...

I have ordered a DSD MKII.

Ironically, only ordered it when ARC went into receivership,

Was going to buy an ARC DAC 9.

But now that this unusually negative review is out and ARC looks like they are coming back, I will probably cancel my DSD order and wait for the ARC DAC,