Modding the PS Audio Directstream DAC MK1 and MK2


I would like to continue discussing all the mods we have created for these two DAC's as it seems PS Audio is no longer allowing discussions about them on their forum.

For reference here is a link to the closed discussion.

https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680

128x128richardselectronics

We have some exciting news. We have been working on a new Directstream DAC upgrade for the past six months and have finally released it.

Our new Limited Edition Signature Series PLUS DAC.

The Limited Edition is the latest model in a series of the finest and most successful DAC upgrades ever made. Providing even more presence, weight and definition than that of its predecessor, the Signature Series PLUS.

The Limited Edition clearly redefines the state of the art at a price that is not inexpensive but represents extraordinary value.

While differences in recordings are immediately apparent, the Limited Edition connects you to the intent of the musicians and the soul of the performance, drawing you in even more.

This unit extracts the room ambience like no other. You can clearly hear the room where the original recording was produced.

Only by hearing it for yourself will you fully appreciate the sonic advancements unveiled by the Limited Edition.

The Limited Edition possesses great bandwidth and resolving power combined with a purity and naturalness that is uncanny – grain and electronic artifacts are simply absent. Bass impact, depth and control is startling, while music ebbs and flows with a dynamic life that is rarely experienced outside the concert hall.

 

This upgrade includes the following upgrades in addition to our Signature Series PLUS upgrade:

1- Our New pure copper IEC AC input socket.

2- Silver AC input wiring.

3- A 50% larger pre-regulator capacitor.

4- Our discrete 5 Volt regulator for the digital input board.

5- Additional post regulator capacitor.

6- Hand-picked Rev.2 transformers.

 

Our new pure copper IEC AC input connector.

New capacitors we use.

Our new 5v discrete regulator for the digital input board.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFmOhR0zp2Q&t=1

 

Is there an OP amp in the DSD DAC? If so this OP amp Danny is talking about sounds like it would be worth upgrading to.

The opamps in this Directstream DAC are special high frequency video opamps. The ones Danny is speaking of from Sparkos is a replacement for standard opamps (not compatible at all with the DS). We make our own discrete opamps for other equipment.

We have tested other compatible opamps however the ones in the DS work the best especially when the DC offset is fixed. We have spent 1.000’s of hours working with the Directstream MK1 DAC and feel it’s at it’s best with the Limited Edition upgrade. We even tried using a custom opamp output stage instead of our transformers and it didn’t sound even close to what have now. Ted designed these DS DAC’s to use an audio transformer for a reason.