PS Audio Direct Stream

Thanks Ozzy.

Hi Ozzy,

Thanks for letting me know.

Ozzy and Tonyptony,

So, if I compare AES digital cables, just about any input digital cable will do with no difference in SQ?

The PS Audio DS DAC shows up every other DAC I have ever owned. The DS DAC is in a different league, IMO.

The DP was not in the same league as the DS DAC.

If you have a look at the PS audio forum dedicated to the DS you will note that the DS needs 500+ hours of break-in.

Ozzy,

I intend to place my order once I get the budget together later in the year.

Ozzy,

What make is your preamp?

Fsmithjack,

Thanks for the information about this tube buffer. Can you kindly describe some details regarding the difference with and without it on the DS?

Hi Ozzy,

This would not surprise me -- the famous Six Moons verbosity. Do you have a link? It does not turn up when I Googled it.

Ozzy,

Have you found any sensitivity to digital cables with the DS DAC?

Fsmithjack,

Thanks for this detailed description. Much appreciated.

Ozzy,

I guess I'll just have to wait with baited breath till I finally order my DS. I have an Atma-Sphere S30 power amp.

Metralla,

Oxygen.

Charles1dad,

Do you have the DS hooked up to a preamp? If so, what preamp are you using?

Ozzy,

Thanks for letting me know.

Hgeifman,

You state "I suppose I should forget about the technical stuff in the DirectStream DAC and just judge the DirectStream by how it sounds."

And then you state "I am still very happy with my Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC and see no reason to think about replacing it."

So what's the point of all this?

Ozzy,

If you check Paul's email you will be able to read testimonials from those who have tried it.

Kana813,

You can ask PS Audio this question my going to their site and posing it on the DS DAC forum.

Ozzy,

I just introduced the DS DAC to my system last night. The new 1.2.1 firmware is mandatory. This DAC is simply riveting. Totally stunning right out of the box. My NAD M51 is now retired.

Ozzy,

I just introduced the DS DAC to my system last night. The new 1.2.1 firmware is mandatory. This DAC is simply riveting. Totally stunning right out of the box. My NAD M51 is now retired.

Mattnshilp,

You stated "Emm labs has been doing what the DS claims since the beginning." My DS DAC just arrived. I used to own the EMM CDSA SE. The latter is a joke -- and a very expensive one -- compared to the DS DAC.

You also stated “I want to see if the DS can truly compete with bigger guns, as Paul M from PS Audio claims .” IMO, the correct question is whether the so-called big guns can now compete with PS Audio.

Ozzy,

You stated “The Meitner and Emm are pretty pricey units. I hope the Direct Stream can compete.” I understand EMM has some improved DACs on the market to replace the CDSA SE that I used to own. I hope so for their sake.

You also stated “The original hype from PS Audio was that, "it is a game changer"! I was under the impression that as soon as it was turned on the improved sound quality would be unmistakable.” This is in fact the case (in my system) with the 1.2.1 firmware released in September -- not with earlier firmware versions, IMO.

Lancelock,

You stated “I must report the new DS firmware update 1.2.1 is so good it's like a new DAC upgrade but for free.” I agree completely.

Charles1dad,

To tell you the truth, right out of the box, with the old firmware in the DS DAC, I could easily have lived with the NAD M51. But with the new firmware in the DS DAC the NAD M51 gets thrown out of the ballpark.