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!!!
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@acmaier3
Don't keep everyone in suspense. Aren't you going to mention the response from the head of PS Audio when he suggested that you email him directly about your concerns. I understood from the PSA Forum that PSA was providing an RMA so that you could return the MK2 DAC since the product didn't meet your needs.
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@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).
PSA support and Paul both mentioned that “over time they discovered” the MK1 bridge II was noisy but not how leaving a network card in the machine would prevent noise this time (nor omitting the bridge would solve this). It’s incomprehensible that a mature audiophile company wouldn’t be testing products for noise before they ship… The logical inconsistency of an audiophile company with many products on the market that require expert engineering to avoid problems with noise wasn’t addressed either. How they and others (Levinson, Devialet, etc.) selling integrated amplifiers without noise issues was also not addressed.
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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@acmaier3
I recognize your frustration in not getting a product that you expected would have a built-in streamer. I hope you find a DAC/streamer that you will enjoy.
My situation is a little different. When I bought my original DS DAC, I already had an excellent Innuos streamer/server and chose not to install the Bridge II to provide an Ethernet connection for my DAC. I knew from early information about the MK2 DAC that it would not include a built-in bridge, so that was never my assumption or preference. Knowing that periodic updates for the MK1 required use of an SD card, which was not a very elegant solution, I welcomed the ability to update the new MK2 via a network connection.
Now that I have the MK2 and can listen to it in my system, I am very happy with how natural and non-fatiguing it sounds, while also providing realistic transparency and detail. It's a great DAC, and I'm sorry your situation didn't allow you to enjoy its beauty and musicality. However, there are lots of great DACs and streamers out there, and I'm sure you'll find something with the sound quality and features you're looking for.
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@dcpillai wrote: "
Congratulations on acquiring the MKII @emailists ! Hope you manage to resolve the slight hum that you have found.
I have read that the Niagaras have a hum of their own in certain instances, but if I am not mistaken it is heard over the speakers, which does not seem to be the case with your setup.
Do let us know if any of your tweaks / adjustments / upgrades eliminates the hum. Congrats and wishing you much enjoyment with the MKII!"
I have a Niagara 5000 and there is zero noise with it in my system.
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Does the PS Audio mk2 DAC have an Ethernet board that allows you to stream from Qobuz, etc.? How are software upgrades installed? Thanks.
is the Ethernet board standard or an extra cost option? Thanks.
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@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.
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My hope is that other companies will come out with a CD/SACD transport. It may be a long shot, but I just can't pull the trigger on products that seem to have issues after going into full production. At the price PS audio is charging for their transport and dac I would expect perfection.
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I asked PS Audio for information on their DirectStream MK2 DAC regarding the Ethernet connection, the units hum, HDMI, etc. As noted below, their LATEST software update FIXES the hum issue. Please see his response below:
“The network board inside is only for future software updates. It is not for streaming. The DAC itself does not have the ability to stream. You need a separate streamer to send it the signal. Currently the updates are downloaded from our site and are put onto a thumb drive which is inserted into the DAC. The OTA updates through the network connection is expected to be released soon.
The DAC has no HDMI connections. The I2S ports use an HDMI cable but they are completely different.
The noise that is heard through the DAC is now fixed with the latest software update. This hum/buzz was only heard if you ran the DAC directly into your amp with no preamp. If you use a preamp, you cannot hear it at all”.
NOTE: I have no information when their latest software will be released.
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@acmaier3
I am expecting delivery of my DS Mk2 next week. I ordered it some time ago and have been waiting for them to be available. It has been clear to me from the beginning that unlike the Mk1 there is no capability to stream directly and that the card slot is for software updates only. I am having a little trouble understanding how you misunderstood this other than by making an assumption based upon the Mk1 capability.
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@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.
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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.
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@acmaier3
You are proving my point. This is a NEW product. But perhaps their nomenclature is a bit misleading (Mk2). As a previous owner of the Mk1 is odd that I did not make those assumptions? It was very clear to me.
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@markmuse sorry did you actually make a point that counters my logic? No.
you failed to mention if your MK1 had the Bridge. Was it noisy? Why is PSA shopping noisy untested products with useless components inside?
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@markmise Also, you failed to read si are arguing against facts. Paul McGowan the founder and principal owner of PSA has admitted their documentation isn’t clear. So again what’s up with you? Corporate shill? Fanboy blindness I think.
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@acmaier3
Jeez, feeling a tad sensitive are we? This will be my last post on this thread, so go ahead and say what you want about me, I won't reply. But yes, my Mk1 did have a bridge. Noisy, untested? If you say so. Fanboy? Hardly... I currently own no PSA products. Corporate shill... now that is just being shrill. Hey, maybe I'm a bot? You overlooked that one. Have a good life.
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I also don't understand why there could be any confusion on the lack of streaming capability in the Mk2. PS Audio's marketing material never mentioned anything about streaming functionality w/the Mk2. And for the "well, the Mk1 had the bridge" argument, the Mk1 bridge was a separate add-on when purchasing the Mk1. It wasn't even included in the base product.
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@hgeifman
Thanks for the update from PS Audio in relation to the "hum" issue.
However, please consider what was stated by Ted Smith in relation to the hum:-
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
Based on the answer received by @hgeifman , I deduce that PSA's answer to the hum issue (and probably the Stereophile article) is a software "workaround" and not a hardware solution as indicated by Ted Smith above. If this is the case, then when will the newer parts referred to be used by PSA?
Or am I mixing the issues up (ie the noise addressed in the Stereophile article and the "hum" issue are separate and distinct issues)?
Thinking about it, short of an announcement being made by PSA on the PSA forum, it may be better to wait for those with the MK2 and a hum issue to confirm that the problem is no more before I pull the trigger on the MK2.
Glad to note that they have been working on the problem though.
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@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.
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@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?
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@acmaier3 - Well, because you asked about the sufficiency of my education in regards to my reading comprehension and logic… Yes, I have a law degree from a top 5 law school and am admitted to two state bar associations. I think my reading comprehension and logic are sufficient to get by in life.
Not sure what to tell you here… no one else was confused about the product. The unit never shipped with a network streaming card. I never saw anything from PS Audio claiming as such and I’ve been following the development and release of the MK2 over the last couple years.
Best of luck to you on your journey. 👍
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@oczed I enjoyed your post. A calm, logical response to criticism is always welcome!
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The Airlens was to be their streaming component. PS Audio has a reasonable trial period. Many years ago Paul was 75% engineer and 25% marketeer. Perhaps we could fairly suggest that this ratio has moved towards marketing. Following threads at the PS Audio Forum made me aware of how audio companies have been struggling with supply and cost. I also have Ted to thank for making their I2s implementation clear, which runs counter to what I’ve taken as Paul’s I2s explanation, which made me think that clock signals were being sent to and used by the DAC via I2s.
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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?
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There is no hum and this is a fantastic DAC.
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acmaier3: boy somebody is trolling PS Audio. What are you going on about? This is a great DAC and your comments seem to be intended to slam PS Audio. You have an agenda. I have listened to this DAC for about 3 weeks. It is amazingly good with great dynamics and soundstage..clean your ears or your mind.
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I can understand being upset with a company that advertises that their DAC has streaming capabilities, but did not provide such capability. Assuming that a MKII product has the same features as a MK1 product is on the consumer. This assumes that the manufacturer provides information on the feature set of the MKII product. I was very interested in the MKII DAC, but the timeline didn’t fit within my purchasing timeline. I never wanted a DAC with streaming capability.
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I received my PS Audio DS DAC Mk2 a couple of weeks ago or so. I have given it an initial listen and it gives a nice soundstage with good detail and imaging. No hum at all. A nice DAC. Much more listening to go. But so far so good. As for the streaming, they never advertised that the Mk2 had streaming. Lots of good DACs don’t have built in streaming. I have other great streamers. I don’t need PSA building in streaming and increasing the price further. This whole complaint about steaming is a lot of nothing.
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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.
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DirectStream DAC MK2 with BHK300 amps: no hum, just a fantastic musical DAC with AirLens.
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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.
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+1, “I would never buy anything with a 60hz hum”. Obviously, something is wrong.
It is very strange that some units have this hum issue and others do not. In any case, I would not purchase the unit until the hum issue is addressed.
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Their is no hum on my Mk2.
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The PSA DSD MK2 with an AirLens is a fully functioning network system.
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My PS Audio mark 2 also has no hum. Since PS Audio offers a 30 day return period, you can always send it back if there’s hum or for any other reason. Their customer service is excellent.
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