PS Audio DirectStream DAC

[PLK]

Part 2:

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv1XWedFgDY]PS DirectStream Technical Talk - YouTube[/ame]

[redm]

Thanks PLK, Ted gave a good explanation of how the directstream differs. I only wish they would talk more about the UI and if it's changing as well.

[-E-]

Originally Posted by PLK

-E-,

If you're happy with an old non-USB DAC that can't receive 192/24 or DSD, fine.

What's your problem with PS Audio?

Does it make you feel good to crap on a product that you haven't heard?

Post #24 yet again applies.

[JemHadar]

"Its secret is in its simplicity: Take a look at this comparison diagram: on the top is a block diagram of one of the best PCM-based processors in the world, the ESS Sabre DAC. Look at that nasty, circuitous path—then look at the pure simplicity of the DirectStream. The PCM processor’s tendency to mask music’s subtle details is largely due to its complex needs, and the technical requirements of PCM processors."

To equate performance of a circuit with the complexity of said circuit is at best ignorant but certainly misleading.

[medward0]

I bought a PWD Mk I for $3K and then upgraded it to a Mk II for another $1K. Now perhaps another $3K to upgrade it again.

Makes me pause as the total is getting to $7K and I'm in MSB territory and within striking distance of a dCS Debussy.

Don't get me wrong, the PWD is a fine DAC, I've had it for a few years now, and I like it. PS Audio is a good company with solid products and customer service.

I'm not saying that the new PS Audio DAC is bad or good...just that the total is getting up there and there are other outstanding choices for that chunk of coin.

Now, maybe if the upgrade price were a bit lower....

[redm]

Originally Posted by medwardo

I bought a PWD Mk I for $3K and then upgraded it to a Mk II for another $1K. Now perhaps another $3K to upgrade it again.

Makes me pause as the total is getting to $7K and I'm in MSB territory and within striking distance of a dCS Debussy.

Don't get me wrong, the PWD is a fine DAC, I've had it for a few years now, and I like it. PS Audio is a good company with solid products and customer service.

I'm not saying that the new PS Audio DAC is bad or good...just that the total is getting up there and there are other outstanding choices for that chunk of coin.

Now, maybe if the upgrade price were a bit lower....

Thats an interesting way of looking at it. I tend to see it as a glass half full, they are now selling a $6k unit and I can get it for 50% by upgrading. With other manufacturers, the value of my MKII would be immediately reduced and I probably wouldn't have such a good upgrade path.

If you did buy the MKI and upgrade, you have gotten many years of usage out of it whereas you would have been waiting to buy a dCS for years? I'm not sure you can compare 3 upgrades spread over years with just buying a much more expensive unit outright. If you are going to sell though, this is probably the best time.

[PLK]

Originally Posted by -E-

Post #24 yet again applies.

[ChrisG]

Originally Posted by -E-

And that, folks, is pure marketing gobbledegook.

A FPGA chip is still a "DAC chip." Trying to differentiate is beyond absurd.

welcome to Paul "hyperbole" McGowan's world. I fell for it when I bought the PWD mk1 since he sold me on The Bridge...which turned out didn't do gapless and they didn't even know what gapless was when beta testers (moi) pointed it out to him. After a year of "you'll have gapless next month" (and we never got it on the Bridge), I sold the f****er, went to Linn and haven't looked back. Sure the upgrade program is nice, but for all of the Bridge owners that got screwed, they should have fixed that first.

[redm]

TAS post on it, there isn't much to it..

[John57]

I am one of the CAS members that heard it at the meeting. The PS Audio demo was impressive. I personally do not own any PS Audio products at this time. When the opportunity arises again I had some new DDF files I discovered and PCM versions as well and to take another trip to PS Audio.