PS Audio Direct Stream

Thanks Bill

A quick Google search finds: Aria

@audiofun who makes the Aria music server?

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

Jazzonthehudson: will do.

/Sabai: it was indeed a poor question as obviously the PSA DSD is in a diff league. As a tweaker I am currently deliberating between upgrading my DP-777 which has great NOS tubes and fuse to the SE version with Duelund CAST pio or going back to a solid state alternative.

/Audiofun: eager to hear your verdict. I bought my DP-777 partially based on your comments back then.

Sabai: I can only speak for me and not objectively for everyone; at this point, I would say the DP is better but the DSD has not been fully run-in. I do have Duelend VSF Black output caps installed in my unit and while they are better than the original OEM Mundorf (I believe they are Mundorf) caps it is not a world of better, just a refinement which I still found worth the cost of entry. I have heard nothing yet which would cause me to move my DP. As I have stated even next to my analog rig, the DP holds on pretty well. SP10MK3/Kuzma 4 point/MC Anna and AMR PH77 Phono Stage being fed by a PS Audio P600.

I will post once I have heard the DSD fully run in and my AMR should be up to SE status later this month.

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

Well, mine hasn't been stock for a while and I have not had them side by side but I can say the DSD is the only dac (aside from the DCS Vivaldi stack) which put me in mind of the AMR. From what I have been told (by a reliable source) the SE version of the AMR is a good deal better than the current version and that is saying quite a bit as even my analog rig does not embarrass my DP :) hope that helps.

Audiofun, how does the stock DP777 compare to the PSA DSD?

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 :)

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.

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.

Audiofun, What did you have sourcing the DAC?

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 :)

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Audioezra, Have you tried the new firmware?

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.

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

Thanks
Bill

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.

Kana813,

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

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

Ozzy,

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

Anyone try the new firmware?

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

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! :)

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

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.

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

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'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.

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

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?

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

Ozzy,

Thanks for letting me know.

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 and Tonyptony,

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

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

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

Ozzy,

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

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.