PS Audio DirectStream DAC
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Wow that sounds interesting ! I didn't understand half of it but I'm looking forward to what it will be.
My favorite piece of the release is "Upgrades: PS Audio provides an aggressive upgrade program for all PerfectWave DAC owners to convert their existing units to the new DirectStream standard." They could just have killed the PerfectWave and forced everyone to buy new units but they allow us to upgrade and stay up to date. I highly value when a company offers this option. I was going to upgrade to MkII so I guess I'll wait on to see what it brings. |
Regarding the upgrade :
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Isn't that what the Esoteric "upsample to DSD" does?
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To DSD or Not to DSD, That Is The Question: PS Audio PerfectWave DirectStream DAC v Berkeley Audio Design Alpha DAC Reference Series | AudioStream
Good article around this topic. My interest is peaked! |
Exciting times, it was about time for an update. I wish the pwd had better buffering of content, it's very finicky about any latency on the network.
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I have a PerfectWave Dac II and am extremely happy with it. It's a great sounding DAC. Sounds like the DirectStream is a big step up from it. Disappointed that they won't be releasing a new ethernet bridge which solves the gapless playback issue with the current bridge. That is the only connection that I use since I stream everything from my computer and it's not feasible to have the computer near the DAC to be able to use a USB connection. Can't wait to hear feedback from early purchasers. If it is as good as PS Audio is claiming, may be upgrading in a few months.
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very interesting DAC. Look forward to its release.
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I suspect both are right in their own ways.
Both PCM and DSD represents different ways of interpreting and processing the data, each with their own unique shortcomings. If you can fix those shortcomings of one way, it'd seem that that approach is better. Something like saying everything looks like a nail when all you have is a hammer :) That said, I find myself in agreement more with the DSD camp that companies like dCS EMM and Playback subscribe to. |
It looks like all the user facing functionality is going to be exactly the same. I wish they would spend some more time polishing up the firmware and existing features.
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Part one:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B7z7QXWto-k]PS DirectStream DAC World Premier - YouTube[/ame] |
Neat video, I wonder if the UI is the exact same to the PWD.
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/yawn.
Very inflammatory first page. We'll see what the final product looks like. But transcoding has yet to yield any good results - anywhere. |
They look really proud of the Directstream and they're setting expectations very high.
I hope it's not just marketing and that they will deliver. |
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I agree that it's mostly marketing hype. But as with all things more exposure to DSD means more user adoption, more content and more attention by all brands. So I say bring it on and keep it coming! |
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I think the Playback Design DACs also upsample PCM to DSD. |
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“The choice of a FPGA over a DAC chip was easy. FPGA’s allow as much or little full width math to be used as we need. Unlike typical small DAC chips, we’re not limited by the heat needed for intensive upsampling and other processing duties. We use more power and physical area to dissipate heat without conflicting with other functions on the board, most of all the analog output. The Xilinx Spartan 6 FPGA allows complete freedom of processing power and clock choices: our design runs the input processing at 170MHz, the oversampling at 56MHz, and the output at 5.6MHz.” |
And that, folks, is pure marketing gobbledegook.
A FPGA chip is still a "DAC chip." Trying to differentiate is beyond absurd. |
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The DirectStream DAC maybe a good replacement for your non-USB, not-able-to-receive-a-192khz signal DAC.:smoking: |
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-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? |
Maybe we should take it down a notch and see how it sounds before we pass judgement, that's all that really matters.
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I may not own any PS Audio electronics at the moment but having heard the PerfectWave first gen a few years back, with the PW Transport and the Digital Lens network card, I honestly don't think Paul McGowan is a "marketing" guy per se. I read his blog periodically and find he talks a lot of sense. His PW DAC IMHO broke some new ground, especially with the digital lens add on.
His new DAC IMHO follows on from what designers like Ed Meitner and Andreas Koch have also adopted in the past and the premise of using a higher clock rate (to push the noise level to a higher band) is IMHO sound engineering principles. In addition to EMM and Playback, which also use FPGAs, I have also heard the Chord QBD72 (the older non DSD model) which is another FPGA based design. It is also an incredible performer and was my dream DAC for a long time. |
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I agree there is no need to fight on a product that's not released yet. I don't see PS Audio as a pure hype company and I hope they'll deliver with this one. All I can say is that they got my attention |
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There are quite a few DACs that do 2xDSD. |
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56MHz is 10x 5.6MHz |
Part 2:
[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wv1XWedFgDY]PS DirectStream Technical Talk - YouTube[/ame] |
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.
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"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. |
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.... |
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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. :) |
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TAS post on it, there isn't much to it..
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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.
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