Modding the PS Audio Directstream DAC MK1 and MK2

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

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?

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. 

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

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.  

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

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

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.

The MK2 doesn’t need VOCM caps. 

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 

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

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.

 

Click my user name and click message user.

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

🎉 woohoo. Laminate should be here by the end of next week.

From manufacture. 

- Raw material was just received in Monday and is currently being coated.
- It is to be slit to width in the next 1-2 days.
- It will then begin to stamp at beginning of next week and the run in the anneal cycle.

So sorry for the delay.  We can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel.😊

Quote:

Just hoping everything is alright with Ted.

 

Me to.

I read that post the other day, and that it was going to be deleted in 6 days.

Just hoping everything is alright with Ted.

 

Some weird stuff is going on at PS Audio forum.  Ted has been silent.

No firmware updates on the MK2 for over 2.5 months and no replies to questions regarding an ETA.  Half of the advertised features still do not function and many are still having noise issues.  The reviews of the MK2 have not been good.  Broken promises from Paul (CEO) to explain and show how the ultrasonic noise floor is not as bad as it measures.

Reviews of our transformers get moved to a members only area.  NOTE: this does not happen to any other product reviews.  Why the discrimination? 

I decided to re-post here what a member posted that was immediately moved to the members only area.... "My Marketplace ad"

 

straightwire Regular July 18

I’ve been cooking Jeff’s nickel transformers for about two weeks in my MK2 and now and they seem to be settled in. Jeff was kind enough to scrape together enough nickel plates between father and son and get a pair assembled prior to his overdue shipment. I had Jeff do the install, and it came back in quick fashion with an AP performance plot as well.
As for the sound, I can easily say it is another veil lifted in my system. There is no fanfare, or chasing of the vagaries like in an expensive fuse. This mod stays true to the script. It doesn’t change the character of the MK2, it enhances it. Thinks are a little quieter, and at the same time more dynamic. I have set my preamp one notch lower, yet perceive the same volume. Bass is a tad tighter and deeper as well. What it did for imaging was the biggest “wow” in my system. Instruments are more in focus, in a more defined space.
So, I like the APS transformers and feel the hassle and expense more than justified. It’s another step closer to making digital sound, well, less “digital”. If you make the plunge, be sure to put 200 hrs. plus on them to smooth them out.

 

I bit off topic, but was wondering if anyone knows what happened to Ted Smith?

Looks like he hasn't posted since June 2nd. 

The laminates have been delayed however we did find a new local source for them. Will update soon

 

apsaudiotransformers.com

Any updates on the 8139 opamp modification? 

 

This wont be available till October / November. This is NOT DYI.

Glad I jumped in before the supply chain issues kicked in. 

Any updates on the 8139 opamp modification? 

The Nickel laminations are running late. There seem to be a shortage of this material now. Also, the price has skyrocketed. Unfortunately, we will have to raise the price of all our transformers. Current pre-paid orders will be honored. The new price will be $799 for a matched pair plus shipping for both MK1 and MK2. The wait time for the Nickel lamination’s is currently 12 - 14 weeks. We will only accept orders that are pre-paid which means you will receive your transformers about 15 weeks after payment is received.
Sorry… This is out of our control. We will NOT obtain lamination’s from outside the US as there have been reported issues with authentic 80% nickel material from other locations

are we able to purchase the op amp upgrade parts and instructions when available?

If we decide to move forward, yes.

Will the whole DAC need to be sent in, in order to have this mod installed? 

This will not be in kit form.

We will perform the mod when available.

That’s great to hear Jeff, but now I’m wishing I held off a little longer before sending my DAC off to get modded, so I could’ve had you do this latest upgrade as well.

Hopefully I can find someone locally in the Denver area to perform this mod.

I managed to get the 8139 opamps working with the stock power supply. I just had to beef up and modify the up stream regulators / filters. I now have a schematic of the analog board.
Sound wise… Sweet.  We feel this MK1 is now better sounding than the modded MK2 by quite a bit.  Worth the effort for sure.

We will be offering this upgrade before the end of the month.

I have both the modded MK1 and a MK2 with Nickel transformers.

I can honestly say that I feel the MK1 sounds better than the stock MK2.  With the nickel transformers installed in the MK2, I feel it is just slightly better sounding however, I prefer the touch screen over the new interface in the MK2 and also not dealing with the issues the MK2 has currently.  The firmware updates have yet to correct these issues as well as supporting all the features promised.  Many features still do not work or work correctly. 

The MK2 USB input is better sounding than the MK1 however I just use the i2s input and install a shorting plug in the USB port.  Also, the USB input on the MK2 has some issues with some streamers that cause a loud noise when switching from DSD to PCM.

Quote:

I for one felt that there was that much enthusiasm for the mods of the Mk1 on the PS Audio forums that there was a push against it as it was taking sales away from the MK 2

 

So true. It used to be a fun place to hang out and help others. Any positive reviews seem to get deleted or moved to a private area.  Not much activity there anymore, Sad.

I feel the reason they are having a hard time selling the MK2 is because of all the issues with it, not because of people keeping the MK1 and modding them. These owners don’t feel it’s worth the upgrade price especially with all the issues and the lousy user interface. Most everyone likes the MK1 touch screen, reliability and great sound the MK1 is known for. Why pay so much more when you can have the same sound with the modded MK1.

My $.02

I don't understand how this thread has become a pissing contest !

I read the modifying a Direct Stream DAC Mk1 thread on the PS Audio forums several times , all 5000 + pages . There were a few people who obviously had the technical ability to offer suggestions for modifications to the DAC . The designer , Ted Smith included . Some did the mods themselves , others opted to ask the likes of jkrichards would he be prepared to do the mods for them . For me being in Australia meant that sending the DAC to the USA wasn't an option . So I purchased the parts  from  jkrichards and had them installed locally . APS transformers and vcom mod capacitors . I could have purchased the MK2 DAC but at $14000 AU it better be a hell of a lot better than the Mk 1 . So my starting point was to upgrade the MK1 . Best choice I could have made . I finally listen to the music and not my system . The comments about increased , cleaner Bass and mid range are true .The sibilance that I heard on some tracks is gone . And yes I did demo the MK 2 .

I couldn`t  be happier with my choice .  So why am I telling you all this ?

I thought the comments "It’s because you are a good seller." are unfair to jkr .Read the forum people asked jkr .  

If those upgrade options weren't offered , then I would not have had the opportunity to choose to make the changes to my MK 1 .

I for one felt that there was that much enthusiasm for the mods of the Mk1 on the PS Audio forums that there was a push against it as it was taking sales away from the MK 2 .

 

Here is the data on the 298D

BTW just so everyone understands the 298D series is not an electrolytic cap.  It's the new Vishay Solid Tantalum Chip Capacitors MICROTAN®

We use these as they are the largest value available that will fit in the 0805 space and has a low ESR, and 0.01 CV DC leakage value and are rated to operate over the temperature of +85 C.

We tested many capacitors and found these to be the best fit and best sounding.

The reason I opted to send my DAC to JK Richards to have the nickel transformers and VOCM mod installed, other than I wan't comfortable doing it myself, is not because of some great sales pitch, it's because of all the great feedback from others who either did the mod themselves or sent their DAC to Jeff. The improvements to my DAC exceeded my expectations.