Upgrade to PS Audio Direcstream Mk1 and Mac Mini?

@soix - adding the Lamm LL2.1 deluxe preamp has made a material difference in my system. Adding a whole new layer of detail that I have never heard especially in female vocals, piano, guitar. Improved soundstage and imaging.  I would not categorize it as warm as some tube sounding gear. It is incredibly neutral as many of the reviews describe.  Well worth the upgrade.  Interestingly I am not finding a huge difference with the Bugle Boy and Mullard tubes that came with the unit over stock. Some improvement but not material. On my amps changing to the Amperex pinch waist tubes was a 25% upgrade in sound to my ear. 

Glad to hear the Lamm was an improvement but can’t say I’m at all surprised. Likewise I’m pretty sure you’re gonna hear very significant improvements with the Meitner as you’re likely making big upgrades to both DAC and streamer, both of which are very important and impactful. Please let us know your impressions if you could, and congrats on the new pre.

@v-fi &  @soix  The Meitner MA3 is a material upgrade from the PS Audio Mk1 with Bridge.  Is is consistent with how people describe it. Much less analytical than the MK1. Has a warmth/ease of listening to it.  I notice improvement in all areas particularly noticeable to my ear with voices, guitar and piano:  imaging, detail, soundstage all improved. Interestingly  it also sounds meaningfully better if you run it directly with Mcontrol app versus using a roon server. @audphile1  - you were correct - getting rid of Mac/Roon has an impact.  Can now see how having a dedicated streamer with good software could make a material difference.  The is partly disappointing as I love the Roon App.   I am still debating whether I get the PS Audio Directstream Mk2 and compare it.  I may stick with the Meitner MA3 until I consider moving to something up a step to something like the Grimm unit.  

Glad you are enjoying it! I always tell people I think the MA3 is one of the safest choices in the high end DAC space. There are many enjoyable options out there but the MA3 is among the best in that range and certainly one of the most universally enjoyable.

I have had systems where a much warmer/richer/slower DAC was just the thing I needed to balance things out. And I've had systems where an ultra-resolving, speedy, analytical DAC was the best match. But for the most part the MA3 is right down the middle and works with almost every situation. 

I would still try out the PS Audio if for no other reason than to confirm that you made the right choice. I did that comparison myself and ended up with the Meitner by a large margin, but your opinion might differ.