PS Audio Direct Stream

Charles1dad,

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

Yes, Charles1dad -

"... to each their own."

I was stunned when I brought a demo unit home, a highly vaunted preamp worth $13K or so.

It clobbered the music. We tried and tried to like it, but simply couldn't listen for more than 1/2 hour.

This was running from a PWDII. Didn't try it with the DirectStream, but I am running DS to amp right now. I have an old, simple tube pre that I might try soon, but I don't have high hopes.

Ozzy :-
"So, when I say I am running the Direct Stream direct to my amp that's not exactly true. The Direct Stream first goes to the QOL and then to the Pass Labs Amp.
Yes, I have tried the Direct Stream bypassing the QOL, but I prefer the QOL in the chain."

That about says it all for Ozzy's personal experience.

What's not system dependent is with digital domain volume control, bits are dropped when not operating full range and resolution suffers. Whether you can hear the difference is system dependent ... depends on the quality of your system.

Sabai,
My system is posted on this site, and I don't use the Data Stream DAC.
My comment was a general observation based on hearing numerous audio systems over the years. If direct source to amplifier sounds better to you then that's the right way to go. It just hasn't been true in my listening encounters.

I just checked the specs for the Direct Stream.
The balanced out is 5.3Vrms 200 ohms.
Then I checked the balanced output of the BSG QOL and its output is 10Vrms 50 ohms.
So, perhaps that is why I don't need the preamp.

Ozzy,

Ted Smith posted these specs for the DS output on the PS Audio forum:

Balanced: 2.8V RMS or 8V p-p 300 Ohms
Unbalanced: 1.4V RMS or 4V p-p 150 Ohms

Kana813, That seems to be on the low side and is different than the specs posted on the PS Audio website.
I wonder which is correct?

Ozzy,

Ted Smith said:
"The DS is about 3dB lower in output than many CD players or DACs.Most of us have much more than that amount of headroom so it's not usually a problem. The thing is that the PWD is hotter than many DACs so some people have systems with no preamp that work with the PWD but perhaps not without a preamp with the DS. (BTW other people have systems for which the PWD has too high of output level and are happy that the DS has a lower output level.)"

Great review here http://www.positive-feedback.com/Issue74/psaudio_directstream.htm

One thing I have discovered is that the Direct Stream is very sensitive to power cords.
Between my HiDiamond P4 and the "Neo" power cord, the Neo is the best on it. It provides a deeper image with more emotion.

Ozzy,

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

Sabai, No, in fact between XLR or RCA digital inputs no difference.

Agree with Ozzy regarding the inputs. But IME the output (XLR in my case) is very sensitive to correct IC matching.

Ozzy and Tonyptony,

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

Sabai, I compared a HiDiamond Reference XLR digital cable to a High Fidelity CT-1 Ultimate RCA.
Between these 2 cables, there was almost no change when toggling from XLR to the RCA input.
I say almost because there may have been a slight(very slight)edge to the XLR.

Ozzy,

Thanks for letting me know.

As an FYI, both TAS and Stereophile have reviews of this unit this month. I got both in the mail today.

As noted above, three magazines gave the PS Audio DirectStream DAC an outstanding review.

However, it still brothers me that the DirectStream converts all inputs to 10 x DSD, and then uses a true single-bit double-rate DSD core engine to prepare the signal for output. In other words, it is performing many calculations on the source file for output. I suppose I should forget about the technical stuff in the DirectStream DAC and just judge the DirectStream by how it sounds.

In any case, I am still very happy with my Ayre QB-9 DSD DAC and see no reason to think about replacing it. I am still fascinated by the DirectStreams’s technical design and its use of DSD technology.

Does it really sound as good as the reviewers say it does?

I dont like its DSD playback at all and that is putting it nicely. PCM is quite good.

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?

I've had the DS now for 4 months or so, lot of hours on it, been thru the first and second firmwares, and I think the sound is show stoppingly amazing. I love the improvement on Redbook cd's, and SACD iso kills. The DS startded out good, but with TONS of burn-in it REALLY sings IMO.

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 heard that DSD playback is much improved...had to be as the only way was UP!

Just placed the DSD in my uncles systems and cold out of the box it literally destroyed his EAR Dac4 which has about 4 weeks of run-in. I am impressed and I am not easily impressed with dacs. This thing should really open up with 500 to 1000 hours on it but for cold out of the box it is absolutely better than most dacs I have heard. This unit is obvious a benefactor of the latest firmware.

Audiofun, the EAR DAC 4 is a very analogue sounding DAC. If the DSD destroyed it it's high praise indeed.

I am not given to hyperbole and I stand by what I said :) It was over before it began. I think the EAR has a turbines which is exaggerated and I always thought it lacked a real 3 dimensional portrayal. It is a very pleasant sounding piece of gear but nothing I would talk about too much but YMMV :)

The PS Audio shocked me because while everyone was fawning over the Perfect Wave Dac I thought it was pretty bad (and that is being polite). The DSD is another beast entirely! :)

I mean to write the EAR has a "tubeyness" which is exaggerated...

Anyone try the new firmware?

Ozzy,

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

Did the new firmware eliminate the hiss or fix the mute function?

Kana813,

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

Well, I updated to the new firmware.

My description is..., "its alive".

Awesome upgrade!
To be hones,t I thought the previous firmware was slightly restricted in the upper end. With this new firmware there is so much more air in the upper frequencies and the soundstage increased greatly.
Truly a very big update in my opinion.

Kana813, there is still some hiss if I place my ear to the speaker, but nothing harmful in actual listening. I never had a mute problem.

All the guys out our way with a direct-stream have tried the new Firmware and believe its a definite step up.

Thanks
Bill

I have not been very active of late in commenting on audio,a bit sticky. But, I must say that I own both Ps audio direct stream and the new Ear dac 4. Well, I hear them side by side on a daily basis, they are both magnificent dacs.Mr Tim Paravincini is in my opinion a masterful designer in his own right. it is very difficult for me to decide which dac to keep. both operate on an extreme level. One is tube & one is not, but, both of very high order. I have found, in my more than thirty five years of experience in high end audio, that it is relative easy to get caught up, knowingly or unknowingly in the press hype. The press has a very subtle and dynamic influence upon the audio community, sort of like a home team, the reviewers being the star players, choose. but I trust my own ears more than anyone else on planet earth. one audiophile confided to me that he trust a certain dealers ear more then his own. I simply won't comment on that one, you decide. I have no desire to start a controversy, I won't respond to questions, simply stating my perspective. my hats of to both Mr Ps audio and Mr EAR (Paul & Tim) Both masters of the craft. Cheers AudioEzra.

Audioezra, Have you tried the new firmware?

I recently installed the 1.2.1firmware on the DS and find the results to be remarkable. It really is a different DAC now, better than before by far.

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.

Sabai,
This new firmware must really quite special, as you were very fond of the NAD M51 DAC.

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.

A retailer out our way has a Direct-Stream on their reference system. I have heard one on another system and thought it pretty good - so good there is a GTG in the works to compare it to my favorite DAC called a Killer.

I don't know why but on the retailers system it never grabbed me and a number of other knowledgeable listeners. Some loved it but others - not so impressed.

Well yesterday went down to hear it again. This time much better - what changed - evidently the person that runs the place, who I know very well, built his own music server powered by a linear supply. For some reason that did the trick - before it was sort of tinny, unatural with forced detail. Now it sounds much more real and natural. Still on the detail side of things though rather than musicality.

Anyway thought I would pass it on - other may like to experiment with linear supplies on the source they are using.

Thanks
Bill

Bhobba, Do you know if the retailer installed the latest firmware?
If not, you did not hear it at its finest.

Hi Ozzy

Yes it had the latest firmware etc. It was well run in. The only difference was the server.

But I have to also say that reference system is ultra revealing - its more revealing than my current system which is pretty revealing. I heard the DS, not with the latest upgrades etc on another system and it was much better - although at that time IMHO not really any better than the PW he had before. Since then it improved greatly with run in and firmware upgrades.

With the new server I can affirm its every bit as good as the aficionados say it is - just not my bag - I prefer my DAC's more along the musical side of things. But that's simply personal preference.

Thanks
Bill

Just finished an extended listening session with the PS Audio DSD after installing 2 AMR MK2 fuses. Simply one of the finest dacs I have ever heard. Bravo PS Audio I really believe they deserve a huge congratulations!!!!

I have heard the $90K CH Precision dac (albeit not in the same system) coupled with more expensive gear and it can NOT touch what I listened to today. PS Audio DSD feeding an ifi iTube into a Graaf GM 400 powering a pair of Eggleston Savoys... You had to be there :)

Audiofun, What did you have sourcing the DAC?

We were using a Pioneer Elite player for the last listening session. The Aria Music server is in place but we needed a Rj45 to WiFi converter in order to connect it to the wireless network. That adapter will be installed today. So if it sounded the way it did with the Pioneer Elite (no slouch) I can just imagine what it will sound like with the Aria installed up and running. I willl report back as soon as I listen to it with the Aria which is brand new and will need a little run-in.

Happy Birthday to me. Received my Directstream DAC yesterday and been listening to it all day today (Auraliti PK90 serving it), latest firmware installed.
All I can say is my DAC search is over, my audio mags with DAC reviews are being recycled, and I'll have two DACs on A'gon for sale soon. Incredible piece of audio gear.

Ok, listened to the DSD with the Aria music server. Flat out sensational. If I didn't know my way around computers the way I do (not boasting, I am a software developer) I would probably buy an Aria. If I were shopping for a dac, I would most likely pick up a PS Audio DSD. As it stands, my AMR DP777 is still doing the duty :)