Modding the PS Audio Directstream DAC MK1 and MK2

I came from the original xformers and had both the Vocm and nickel xformers installed. It is by a wide margin the biggest jump in sound quality of any electronics piece of gear I have purchased in my audio chain.... ever. I do recall reading on the PS Audio forum of folks who had gone from the Encore 4400 to the nickel xformers and they reported a significant increase in performance. Based on the design of the DS using the xformers as a low pass filter, my educated guess is the nickel xformers will provide the most significant improvment compared to Vocm mod.

WRT disappearing threads from the PS Audio forum. Huge props to PS Audio for hosting a forum that has a discussion of modding their products with input from the chief engineer. Interesting that you can discuss the mods, but they draw the line at describing what those mods sound like. I can understand that their focus is on selling their product and keeping interest in it. IMO, PS Audio could best serve their DS MK2 customers, by changing to a nickel core xformers in their MK2 and offer an upgrade path for those who have already purchased. IMO a used DS with this mod is likely the DAC performance to dollar king.    

I haven't heard the DSD MKII, but it's been mentioned by those who have, that the modded DSD MKI sounds better. I'm wondering though, how much better does the modded MKII sound compared to the modded MKI? 

From what I"m hearing from my modded MKI, It's hard to imagine the MKII could improve upon that. 

We feel the modded MK 1 with Vocm mod and nickel transformers sounds better than the stock ML2.

The MK2 with nickel transformers sounds just slightly better.

From 1-100:

MK2 99

MK1 98

This DAC upgrade is insanely good. I initially let it burn-in  non-stop via the USB stick on the PST, for 200 hrs, but the sound has continued to improve under normal use.

The soundstage is rock solid with vocals and instruments clearly defined and focused.  The soundstage has also expanded in all directions, creating more separation and air around the performers. And the bass, OMG the bass, is crazy good. Tight, punchy, and incredibly rhythmic. 

This is a component level upgrade, without the price tag. 

If you haven’t heard 4400 with a GOOD power supply unit (PSU), then you haven’t heard their full potential.

With GOOD PSU (not cheap Chinese stuff), the sound improvement from 4400 without PSU -> to -> 4400 with PSU was much bigger than 4400 w/PSU -> APS transformers w/PSU AND VOCM MOD.

I can’t say anything about sound improvements when 4400 swapped with APS WITHOUT PSU mod