Modding the PS Audio Directstream DAC MK1 and MK2


I would like to continue discussing all the mods we have created for these two DAC's as it seems PS Audio is no longer allowing discussions about them on their forum.

For reference here is a link to the closed discussion.

https://forum.psaudio.com/t/modding-the-directstream-dac-mki/2680

128x128richardselectronics

I bit off topic, but was wondering if anyone knows what happened to Ted Smith?

Looks like he hasn't posted since June 2nd. 

Some weird stuff is going on at PS Audio forum.  Ted has been silent.

No firmware updates on the MK2 for over 2.5 months and no replies to questions regarding an ETA.  Half of the advertised features still do not function and many are still having noise issues.  The reviews of the MK2 have not been good.  Broken promises from Paul (CEO) to explain and show how the ultrasonic noise floor is not as bad as it measures.

Reviews of our transformers get moved to a members only area.  NOTE: this does not happen to any other product reviews.  Why the discrimination? 

I decided to re-post here what a member posted that was immediately moved to the members only area.... "My Marketplace ad"

 

straightwire Regular
July 18

I’ve been cooking Jeff’s nickel transformers for about two weeks in my MK2 and now and they seem to be settled in. Jeff was kind enough to scrape together enough nickel plates between father and son and get a pair assembled prior to his overdue shipment. I had Jeff do the install, and it came back in quick fashion with an AP performance plot as well.
As for the sound, I can easily say it is another veil lifted in my system. There is no fanfare, or chasing of the vagaries like in an expensive fuse. This mod stays true to the script. It doesn’t change the character of the MK2, it enhances it. Thinks are a little quieter, and at the same time more dynamic. I have set my preamp one notch lower, yet perceive the same volume. Bass is a tad tighter and deeper as well. What it did for imaging was the biggest “wow” in my system. Instruments are more in focus, in a more defined space.
So, I like the APS transformers and feel the hassle and expense more than justified. It’s another step closer to making digital sound, well, less “digital”. If you make the plunge, be sure to put 200 hrs. plus on them to smooth them out.

 

I read that post the other day, and that it was going to be deleted in 6 days.

Just hoping everything is alright with Ted.

 

Post removed