Ps audio direct stream dac is a winner winner chicken dinner :)

[1KW]

The PS DirectStream is breaking in nicely, this dac delivers a BIG soundstage, subtle details I have never noticed are ridiculous as I rediscover music I thought I knew. Some may feel the presentation is more forward and bright but to me is more musical as my Stradivari speakers tend to be on the warm side usually, my listening sessions are now 3-4 hours at a time . Combining Roon with DirectStream is a wonderful way to pass the time. I am in the process of deciding what my music server will be, for the moment I am running Roon through a Mac mini via usb . Roon automatically overrides the midi control in the Mac to play what ever the resolution of the music is which is displayed on the DirectStream. FLAC 16/44 sounds amazing, 24/192 and first unfold MQA 24/88 or 24/96 all sound wonderful. I am not hearing any edginess at all. I tried using the attenuated setting but prefer full volume high setting going into my Mcintosh C2300 pre amp.

[btn2803]

Originally Posted by 1KW

The PS DirectStream is breaking in nicely, this dac delivers a BIG soundstage, subtle details I have never noticed are ridiculous as I rediscover music I thought I knew. Some may feel the presentation is more forward and bright but to me is more musical as my Stradivari speakers tend to be on the warm side usually, my listening sessions are now 3-4 hours at a time . Combining Roon with DirectStream is a wonderful way to pass the time. I am in the process of deciding what my music server will be, for the moment I am running Roon through a Mac mini via usb . Roon automatically overrides the midi control in the Mac to play what ever the resolution of the music is which is displayed on the DirectStream. FLAC 16/44 sounds amazing, 24/192 and first unfold MQA 24/88 or 24/96 all sound wonderful. I am not hearing any edginess at all. I tried using the attenuated setting but prefer full volume high setting going into my Mcintosh C2300 pre amp.

I have also been enjoying the PS DAC and thought the sound quality / clarity and soundstage is much better. I have updated it to latest Snowmass 3.06 and though it is a slight improvement over the 3.05. I read from PS Audio forum that some PS DAC users claimed sound quality would improve further by lowering the DAC volume to around 80 (perhaps due to lower digital noise).

I currently connect the PS DAC to my Marantz pre-pro which I assume is suboptimal. Next step is to add a Mac Pre-Amp (C1100 or C2600).

[1KW]

Originally Posted by btn2803

I have also been enjoying the PS DAC and thought the sound quality / clarity and soundstage is much better. I have updated it to latest Snowmass 3.06 and though it is a slight improvement over the 3.05. I read from PS Audio forum that some PS DAC users claimed sound quality would improve further by lowering the DAC volume to around 80 (perhaps due to lower digital noise).

I currently connect the PS DAC to my Marantz pre-pro which I assume is suboptimal. Next step is to add a Mac Pre-Amp (C1100 or C2600).

I just lowered the volume to 85% fixed and will listen for a day at this level to see if I like it any better. So far aside from having to raise the volume on my preamp I can’t tell much of a difference .

[1KW]

I switched the dac volume back to 100 % fixed, much better imaging and sparkle to the high’s.

[Poppyhome]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I switched the dac volume back to 100 % fixed, much better imaging and sparkle to the high’s.

Ron

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by 1KW

I switched the dac volume back to 100 % fixed, much better imaging and sparkle to the high’s.

That’s because this DAC’s gain control truncates the signal, at anything less than 100%

[bugeyed]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

That’s because this DAC’s gain control truncates the signal, at anything less than 100%

My understanding is that the Directstream DAC volume control does not degrade the signal. Full resolution is maintained at all volume settings.
Kev

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by bugeyed

My understanding is that the Directstream DAC volume control does not degrade the signal. Full resolution is maintained at all volume settings.
Kev

I could hear the degradation as the volume is reduced,

[bugeyed]

Originally Posted by Masterlu

I could hear the degradation as the volume is reduced,

Interesting. I am inclined to agree with you. I have raised this issue over at PSA's forum, so we will see what they say. Maybe we are hearing the result of better signal to noise ratio with the DSD at 100%? My preamp volume cntrl is a pot. so it may be a matter of choosing the lesser of 2 evils.
Kev

[Ruger2]

I purchased my PS Audio DS Sr w/Bridge II new about a year ago my initial impressions are concurrent with everyone else. I found it took approximately 200 hours break in for the sound to fully mature. The Snowmass firmware was also a major improvement from Ted and the guys, running Snowmass 3.06 and the album artwork is still a little finicky at times. This anomaly to me is insignificant in comparison to the sound quality. For the money spent I couldn't be more pleased.