Anyone see a date for the PSA DSD MK2 to have a functioning network system? Minus the streaming it won't mysteriously not perform of course.
PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 DAC
While researching the PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 DAC on the PSA Forum, I came across this:
"Regarding “hum,” Ted said: “ You had the opportunity to return your device if it was wasn’t acceptable. I don’t know how one could claim to have been screwed…….”
Not only that, this “hum” was a known feature, as it was discussed early and often in the beta thread. Paul even went so far as to claim every component PSA has ever produced (or at least, every component on his shelf) has this hum."
Further, Ted himself says:
"The hum is coming from the piezoelectric response from a few critical capacitors in the power supply. The device was designed with a component that wouldn’t cause this problem, but supply chain problems forced us to design in a slightly older version of the part which caused the hum. Unfortunately, the new and old parts aren’t footprint compatible, so we’re stuck with the older version for a while even when the newer parts become available again."
Ted is Ted Smith, the" Chief Digital Dude" at PS Audio.
Question to all PSA DS MK2 DAC owners, do you hear a hum?
All in all, do you think it would be better to wait for a while until the problem sorts itself out - OR - is it "much ado about nothing" and I should just go ahead and get the PSA DAC?
I am leaning towards waiting .... But I am interested to hear your views too.
Showing 11 responses by acmaier3
The PS Audio DirectStream MK2 is half-baked to be polite. They originally shipped these with audible humming. Mine was delayed in fulfillment for three months as they were probably revisiting this bad, noisy design - meanwhile they already charged my card for the device. I was trading in a device with the network Bridge II (guess they couldn't get Gen 1 right there either) for the MK2 but at no time did they mention the network and wifi cards were ONLY for firmware - the network connections cannot be used to stream music from ANY service whatsoever.
Generally people would say don't have a network card in a DAC for audio quality - specious but possible deterioration. A network card for only firmware? That is nonsensical based on cost and effort to integrate such a system.
So either PoS Audio (aka PS Audio) was: 1. Too cheap to pay for audio streaming service certifications 2. Didn't actually build a way to connect the ethernet and DAC - stupidity 3. or both
So they are charging substantially more than the previous edition for less functionality meanwhile you MUST buy a separate streamer. You're so fortunate actually - PoS Audio will sell you a separate overpriced streamer!!! |
@sdl4 Paul Gowan responded to me several times. He insisted the nearly useless network connectivity was never intended as a bridge. Not believable. Paul did say the website materials needed clarifying about the network only supporting firmware updates and zero services streaming. Paul couldn’t identify any other products on the market that only use network capabilities for firmware and nothing else but he mentioned they have two more products coming out like this (no mention of which). When you consider the facts and timing, the only logical conclusion is cost and the opportunity to sell their first dedicated streamer. Paul also basically admitted the network system might be too expensive to warrant use only for firmware updates.
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Oh the update of the 2.6.2 firmware. Requires a drive smaller than 8GB with FAT32 - you’re welcome PS Audio, happy to guide your QA and document teams for $$$. The fix for the noise issue Stereophile mentioned, according to the release notes, is a filter. A digital filter that changes the output bc the machine is noisy. Another proofpoint PSA isn’t doing scientific testing and their QA is weak. |
@hgeifman the thread just above your query addresses this question - no the PS Audio DAC MK2 does not support any type of direct music streaming - you must purchase a separate network bridge. PS Audio insist the network card was always only intended for firmware updates. Contrary to that insistence the MK2 doesn’t have any menu items for upgrading the firmware. The 2.6.2 firmware released this week won’t install from the USB drive when I tried yesterday - will try again today. There are no instructions about what format the USB drive should be though using FAT32 didn’t work; just tried with APFS which didn't work either. The update doesn’t include anything for OTA updates through the network card and there is no published timeline for when updates will happen OTA. The manual nor the website (AFAIK) has absolutely no mention of the fact that firmware downloading isn’t ready yet.
When I said this new product was half baked I was being very kind. |
@markmuse sorry did you actually make a point that counters my logic? No. |
@markmuse reread my posts - PS Audio offered a trade in on their DAC with a bridge but there is no mention of this loss of functionality on the website. Please reference this information. I’ve been a tech product manager for over 20 years. When you remove functionality you tell your customers. It’s called transparency and critical to maintaining the trust of your customers. Shipping products without scientific audio testing that results with hum and noise, as widely reported, should be proof enough this machine and company aren’t worth it. There’s also no mention anywhere that the network OTA updates don’t work yet. A DAC with a network card for only firmware updates that doesn’t actually do firmware updates is less than useless. |
@oczed reading comprehension is taught in grade school. Logic is taught in high school and college. Did you complete any of this schooling? When someone offers a trade-in for a machine with a network streaming ability for the new version that DOES ship with an integrated network card, you should either be told the network card doesn't do what it did previously or it should be equivalent/superior functionality. This is really just simple logic so I feel very sorry for you. Best of luck stumbling through life with such "cloudy" thinking. |
@markmuse - same points on simple logic to you - PSA were the ones that said the MK1 Bridge was noisy - send me your email and I'll forward the support note where they said the MK1 Bridge II was noisy. So they regularly ship noisy products but are supposed to be a leader in noise suppression eg DS power plants. They aren't scientifically testing their products or they are testing them but just don't care the products are noisy - don't see much room in between. Which do you think it is? |
Listening review of the MK2 vs. Chord TT2 and PS Audio MK1. Not really worth the effort to consider the MK2 I'm sad to say. The sound was lacking in dynamics, depth, and detail. The sound stage was fine but then again I have nearly full range towers for that. Listened across a wide range of music from cutting edge indie - Dirty Projectors "Right Now" to Zepplin II to Coltrane "Giant Steps" at 196kHz on Qobuz. One of the telling moments of reproduction isn't musical but a playing mistake about 2.65' in on Giant Steps when the string is misplayed off the fingerboard - you can here the non-musical quality for a second which creates a nice juxtaposition. The clarity of the detail in the high horn notes and the cymbals shone on the TT2. The deepness and detail of the bass were both severely limited in the MK2 by comparison. A five month wait to ship it while sitting on my money to receive a device that is noisy and doesn't have any purpose for it's network card. Maybe one day they will make the network card do something. Actual sound couldn't hold a candle to the Chord TT2. I'm not sure I would say it is even better than the MK1. Maybe PSA can upgrade the firmware and decoding algorithms to improve it's competitiveness but why wait? |