PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 DAC

I have a MKII on order.  PS Audio has been fantastic about repairs, etc.  One of my monoblocks ran warmer than the other, and since they were such early units, they paid for shipping both ways for both units to check them both out and make any production upgrades.  They came back even better sounding.  From reading the hum thread about the DS MKII, it seems they had to substitute a part due to the worldwide parts shortage and had to change the design a tiny bit due to that.

Same with having to resdesign for dual smaller FPGAs instead one larger one.   That’s what was available and I’m okay with that.  
I’m already on the waiting list for a new custom designed transformer that is supposed to take the Dac into $15-20k range, sound quality wise.  

Ted already has some amazing ideas of how he’s going to utilize that second FPGA, and if the MKII’s sonic evolution is anything like the MKI I experienced, it’s going to be an exciting ride.

 BTW my MKI started life as a perfect wave Dac, and was still offered full trade in value.  And PS Audio will still warranty the DAC with an aftermarket transformer!!!

I don’t know any other company that would support (properly) modded products, so kudos to them.   

Just got my MKII up and running a few days ago.  It’s plugged into a a Niagara 7000 and I am am hearing a slight hum with my ear about 1” from the DAC, however it’s dead silent though the speakers.

I’ll have to try plugging in straight to the wall, but as far as sound quality the MKII is fantastic.  I’m running a long optical usb cable from my Mac Pro in another room running Jriver as opposed to ethernet/EtherRegen  I was running in the MKI. I’m very happy with the unit so far and has really helped with the last niggles I have with my speakers coincident drivers dissapearing.

still planning on doing the transformer upgrade when available, as it supposedly takes the Dac to another level.

@dcpillai thanks for the kind words.  I lifted the ground on all the inputs (I only use usb) and while I didn’t a/B it yet, I think it sounds slightly better.  

I had some friends over last night for a birthday party and one friend requested Kraftwerk, and while I don’t often listen to electronic music, it sounded fantastic. 
another friend wanted to DJ a while and was playing tracks from her YouTube playlist.  It was shocking how good a YouTube stream sounded.  I had to kick people out at 4am, they loved the music so much.  I also played a one mic recording of Dave Brubeck compositions and my musician friend thought it was incredible to capture so much from one position.

It was also fun to tell people listening to their requests that they are hearing state of the art (for now) digital decoding.  
 

BTW my Niagara only has a slight physical hum (not through speakers) when using  my tube preamp, which I’ve read can happen.  With my passive pre it’s dead silent.  
the Niagara is such a benefit I don’t mind the hum since my rack is across the room.  
 

My next experiment with MKII will be lifting the XLR out grounds, and placing the unit in a Systrum platform, and then trying floating on a Halcyonics type active vibration table, though I don’t expect much benefit.  Having one under my turntable is fantastic though.  
 

Just to add, as a former MKI/bridge 2 owner, the “noise” PS mentioned about the bridge card, I don’t think was audible noise.  People on their forum were finding the MKI sounded better with the bridge card removed, hence the thought that a Dac sounds better with no network card inside.  
 

As far as the MKII, I believe the network update function/wifi only is active during update, or can be shut off.  
 

One nice thing about the MKII is you can/or will be able to shut off inputs not in use.  Add the grounding isolation features, XLR shell lift,etc 

My MKii is broken in and sounding fantastic and now I’m running it straight to my BHK300 monoblocks and I’m getting the best sound I’ve ever had.  
 

I still plan on getting the transformers upgraded.