Closing out the DirectStream DAC w/ Network Bridge II?
 

PS Audio announced this morning what appears to be a closeout sale of its highly regarded DirectStream DAC with the Network Bridge II installed. If my math is correct, the price will be $4,000 -- while supplies last.

On the one hand, what I have read about this DAC/streamer, especially with the new Windom software upgrade, is very impressive -- and, at this price -- is akin to a siren call, strongly inducing me to buy one. But, on the other hand, the fundamental architecture of this product is five years old -- which is a lifetime for a digital product, even one software-upgradable. This factor is a bit of a red flag waving.

And so, I feel somewhat like the horse frozen between the bucket of oats and the pile of hay -- unable to commit to one direction or the other.

To complicate matters, I am very pleased with my current DAC/streamer (a Lumin T2), which is based on dual Sabre 8028 DACs. That being said, affordable upgrades are always in the cards for me.

As a consequence, I am soliciting the thoughts of others about this dilemma.

I love my DS. They did the same thing last year around Black Friday on the DS. So I don’t think they are retiring it and ted has given no indication he is going to stop upgrading it. Last year I don’t think they had product for three months post sale.

Agree, based on what has been said in the past few weeks by Ted and Paul there are no immediate plans to replace or physically update the DS Sr. The release of the TSS (Obsidian) and the replacement for the DS Jr. are in line before anything is done with the Directstream Sr. So if anything the "Black Friday" sale. However if you think the Directstream is dated an FPGA based alternative with a similar sound profile is the Aqua La Voce S3. It's internals are entirely modular and made up of multiple task specific boards that can be user replaceable if and when there is an update. List price is $4300. I own both and switch back and forth.

Did you read the email? :scratch2:

Its a private offer before Black Friday and not a closeout sale.

Ron

The Lumin is a superior streaming platform with superior software to the Bridge's designated software. As to the DAC sections they are just different as Sabre based dacs sound different to AKM based dacs and to FPGA based dacs so it is what you like is whats better.

Windom is so good it will blow your mind. :cheers:

Ron

What does the Bridge do? Can You simply stream a digital signal via USB without the ‘bridge’?

Bridge supplies an ethernet connection and works well for me.

You can stream via USB if you like.

Ron

And Now, full MQA, Tidal (including Masters), Spotify, Qobuz, VTuner, and Roon ready.

Ron

Bridge II is a streamer on a board. So no case and it gets it's power from the DS power supply rather than from the wall. Yes it works and works well but it is not up to the level of a $4200 dedicated Lumin and is not intended to be. That is the reason Octave is being developed.