Modding the PS Audio Directstream DAC MK1 and MK2

jk_richards, I am interested in modding my MK1.  How do I get in touch with you?

Click my user name and click message user.

Hi Richard, just curious what you think of the modded MKII with the latest FPGA update,  compared to the modded MKI? I know before you mentioned that the MKII  was only slightly better.

 

We feel the new firmware made a large improvement in sound quality.

If I had to put numbers on it from 1-10

Stock MK1 6

Modded MK1 9

Stock MK2 with old firmware 8

Stock MK2 with new firmware 9

Modded MK2 with new firmware 10

Thanks for your input. Was entertaining the thought of upgrading to the MK2 and having it modded with the nickel transformers and caps. Seems like it's not a huge difference though, plus after reading through posts on PS Audio's forum, many are continuing to have issues. Perhaps down the road, if and when PS Audio irons out the many glitches, I'll reevaluate 

The MK2 doesn’t need VOCM caps. 

I do miss Ted’s input on the PS Audio site. Clearly, it seems to me, a major philosophical change. I don’t like it; however, it’s their site and reputation.

Your not alone.  They were the good days when Ted chimed in with his knowledge and suggestions on upgrades etc... 

Has there been any kind of official statement explaining Ted's absence? 

For those who own MK1, the APS/VOCM mod is really a better bang for the buck.  Comparing the unmodified MKII with the modded MK1, I can concur that the latter sounded better than the former.  The MK1 although is getting old, is a mature product with a pretty stable firmware.  

Although I haven't head the MKII, I couldn't be happier with my decision to have my MKI modded. Every listening session is a deeply satisfying experience. 

The assembly of the MK1 is defiantly better than the MK2.  I have found many issues with the build quality of the new MK2 during the many mods of the MK2 we have done recently.

Over the past month we have been upgrading many of the PS Audio Directstream MK2 DAC with our nickel transformers and have discovered very poor build quality on every one.

We ended up having to offer to fix these defects as we don’t like sending units back half baked.

We re-route the WiFi antenna Cable, Repair the input chassis grounding and fix any hardware issues (stripped wrong screws etc). We even found PC board standoffs 1 turn out loose :(

 

This defect shows that the i2s inputs chassis grounding spring is stuck behind the plastic insulator making it inoperable. The inputs end up with no chassis ground.

Top view

 

 

This shows the mis-aligned paint mask keeping all inputs from being chassis grounded. Note the grounding springs are insulated by the paint.  The only way to fix this is to scrape the paint away.

 

 

This show the RF shielding fingers not install properly. Most all units had most of them missing or none at all.

 

This shows how we fix the i2s grounding issue. Note now the chassis grounding spring can make contact with the chassis.

 

We remove the insulator and cut the right side down so the grounding spring will clear. Note the cut line.

 

After the cut

Here are the transformers we install in the MK2.  The MK1 transformers are not the same.

I hope PS Audio irons out these quality control issues before too long. At some point I’d like to upgrade to the MKII, as I’m sure future firmware updates will improve the sound quality, like with the MKI.

PS Audio was made aware of these issues in March. They are still building them this way😶

I just can’t wrap my head around the fact that they let them go out the door this way without the production manager catching these mistakes. 

Hey Jeff - MY DS1 has a Bridge v1 that I don't use.  Is it best to remove it or is it fine just sitting there unused?

If you are not using it it's best to remove it.

There are no upgrades for the Directstream Jr.

Transformers for both MK1 and MK2.

Here is a FFT of the Directstream MK2 we did in March 23'.  More to come later.

Where can I learn more about the USB grounding pin and obtain one? - Thanks

I tried sending messages to both the RichardsElectronics and JK Richards accounts on 7/25, 8/17 & 8/21 and I never heard back from either one. Don't know what else to do.

We never received any PM or the likes from you. Perhaps you are going about it the wrong way?

It’s easy to reach me here.

Directstream MK1 and MK2 transformers.

I did not see the 8/22 post about the Direct Stream "Junior" model; so, my bad.

Here is a FFT plot of the MK2 with the new Massive firmware.  Note the distortion is worse than with the last firmware.  This new massive firmware is almost impossible to measure the actual noise floor.

MK2 with Massive FW:

 

The MK1 has better measurements. Note the better dynamic range and lower noise floor of the MK1.  Note this one has a bad transformer on the right channel.

Not to trivialize noise measurements, but this sort of does show how there is not a 1:1 of noise and Sound quality.  Now that being said there are few reports of some amps this causing issues with, but that is a known factor and reported in the Stereophile mag.  

I for one love the SQ in my setup, could care less on the measurements. I have a scheduled appt. to put in my APS transformers from JK next week.  Going to let burn in while away for a few days I am out of the house. Hope it does not bother the rest at home.  But I should get 250+ hours burn in with them.  

Agree.  Both the MK1 and MK2 sound so much better than they measure.

Posted on other site.

You can read all about it here:

https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/1936

and

https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2468

 

Another funny post from PS Audio forum:

What??? How ridicules is that?

Why don't you ask for the manufacturer to show measurements that demonstrate otherwise? If manufacturer can't or won't do that, then that is that and independent data remains as authoritative.

PSA just posted their measurements.

PSA just posted their measurements.

Yes they did. SINAD at best would be 70 dB. Same as what we posted last week when I was accused of posting bias measurements and badmouthing PS Audio.

Unbelievable... It took PS Audio forum members over a week to discover and discuss this problem after my post exposing this issue was deleted by Elk. The ones who have the tabs missing or loose... This is not an easy fix as they rip off the copper foil when they come loose. All units I have worked on here had this issue. Even brand-new ones that have just shipped. I knew it would eventually catch up to them and be exposed and many questions asked by unhappy customers. PS Audio should have done the right thing from the beginning instead of trying to hide the issue.

https://forum.psaudio.com/t/directstream-mk-2-observations/31566/2602

 

 

 

 

What's the ETA on the next shipment of transformers?

They have been shipping continuously to pre-orders.

Hi Jeff, one of the reasons I'm considering your transformer upgrade for the MKI has to do with connecting the DAC directly to my Pass amp. I seem to recall you saying that your transformer upgrade increases the output voltage, which helps when you connect the DAC directly to a power amp. I haven't noticed anyone talking about this lately so can you please comment on this? 

I don’t recall us making them exact statements. The Custom nickel transformers do in fact increase the output level by 6dB because they are and were designed as a 1:2 transformer instead of the original 1:1 transformer that are installed in the MK1. We did state that The Custom nickel transformers have a much lower output impedance than the MK2 Edcor XS4400 transformers which places the secondary windings in a series configuration in order to achieve a 1:2 output which creates a very high output impedance. This was kind of a cheat as the Edcor XS4400 was not designed to do so. The Custom nickel transformers are designed from the ground up specifically for each model, The MK1 or the Mk2.

The lower impedance is a plus as it in theory should have a lower noise floor going directly into a power amp. We never tested this as we recommend going through a pre-amp.

Thanks Jeff. My takeaway from your response is that you recommend using a pre-amp. I'm good with that.

I’m looking to get these upgrades for my MK1 and have tried getting in touch here via private message and the contact form on the website. No luck yet.

I see today I have another transformer option. I thought I was set on the nickel but see the is now the LUNDAHL 1948Ag Pure Silver windings Transformers. How do they compare between the two?

Not sure what you’re doing wrong as no one else is having issues connecting with me using ether method you state. Have communicated with many people with no issues.  I’ll PM you now. We are backed up till November. We did add the Ag 1948. A little bright for our taste however some may like them. We also added a network isolator for streaming. We are quite surprised how much improvement it makes.

 

Thanks for the response. I’m not sure what "I’m doing wrong" either. I’m not tech illiterate, I promise. So you don’t see my message in your inbox? FWIW I don't see where to check inbox in the forums. You have to go back to main audiogon website (delete "forum" in the url) to view messages

When you say backed up till November, does that mean I need to reserve a spot now or just wait and check back in November?

 

no.  We get an email when we get a message. 
Only doing pre orders now.

Ok, so I put everything in my cart on your website, pay for it all, and then in November you reach out for me to send in my dac? Nothing on the website indicates "preorder", so just want to make sure I follow.

You will only get an invoice on checkout.  Further information will be sent. 

Ordered! Thanks!

Below is a Post by Elk on the PS Audio Forum. He can’t even be honest with the forum members over there. He knows I can’t post on the PS Audio Forum to correct false information.

He did in fact delete any post that praised our mods and / or post that showed any flaws in their product and how to fix them since the new MK2 was launched. As a matter of fact, PS Audio is currently using my fix for the latest FLAW the dreaded input grounding clips.

 

 

The last one was the one I posted here on this Forum.

https://forum.audiogon.com/posts/2586529

I have many screenshots to prove all of this.

He even locked down the modding topic after this was posted.

Elk

 

The weird thing is we have tripled our sales since leaving the PS Audio Forum and opening the website.  Should have done this a long time ago.

Here is an FFT of our modded MK1 with our nickel transformers.  Much better than the stock unit and the new MK2.