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PSAudio Directstream DAC M-1 (refurb) vs Denafrips Venus II. Quick decision needed!

I received a used Denafrips Venus II from TMR yesterday and now PSAudiio is offering refurb Directstream DAC MK-1's for $1800!  What do I do? I paid $2400 for the Denafrips and I just want whichever is superior.....people are saying the MK-1 is  a steal, so it won't be available long. Thanks for any input!!

128x128howardlee
invalid
1,187 posts
 

It seems that the USB on the directstream mk1 was just a bad implementation, because on the mk2 a lot of owners say it sounds just as good as the i2S.

ken6217
34 posts
 

No one can make that decision but you. It's your tastes and your associated equipment. 

silverfoxvtx1800
147 posts
 

I have the Venus 12th and the New Ontech from Denmark based on the Burr Brown…have both going into the same streamer and same amp…definitely the Venus is so much better…

curiousjim's avatar
curiousjim
4,698 posts
 

I have the original Pontus ll and love it!  I can only imagine how much better the Venus ll sounds. 

artemus_5's avatar
artemus_5
1,928 posts
 

DirectStream was S’phile A+ component. It was a Dac that many Reviewers used. Of course that was 7-9 yrs ago. Sure, digital keeps advancing. But an A+ DaC is still going to hold its own considering its age. whether the Denefrips is superior is hard to know. Every system has those which naturally fits with another well and some poor. I wouldn’t throw the DirectStream out of contention.

FWIW I have a Direct Stream. It syncs in rather well while getting its signal from the Aurender H100. The Aurender is the weak spot IMO. The rest of my system is listed FWIW  the DS has a very similar sound signature, very much like my Vinyl who is no sloutch

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