PS Audio DirectStream DAC

[Family Progtitioner]

I used the DAC in my Mcintosh C2500

[Joe Appierto]

Oppo 105D which I still use as one method to "feed" the DS DAC. I find myself, however, almost exclusively using the DS DAC in the chain. The latest OS/firmware (Yale) for the DS DAC elevates the DAC's performance even more. As is always the case, there are differing opinions. But the fact that you can use whichever firmware version you prefer is one of the DAC's strongest points, in my opinion.

[scirica]

Originally Posted by Joe Appierto

Oppo 105D which I still use as one method to "feed" the DS DAC. I find myself, however, almost exclusively using the DS DAC in the chain. The latest OS/firmware (Yale) for the DS DAC elevates the DAC's performance even more. As is always the case, there are differing opinions. But the fact that you can use whichever firmware version you prefer is one of the DAC's strongest points, in my opinion.

I'm going to borrow one this week and see what I think.

[Joe Appierto]

Originally Posted by scirica

I'm going to borrow one this week and see what I think.

Please make sure it's a broken-in unit (>500 hours). Although not a day and night difference, it does come into its own after break-in. Two other things: I found it sensitive to the cable used for the coax connection and the OS firmware makes perhaps the biggest difference of all.

Good luck and have fun.

[scirica]

Originally Posted by Joe Appierto

Please make sure it's a broken-in unit (>500 hours). Although not a day and night difference, it does come into its own after break-in. Two other things: I found it sensitive to the cable used for the coax connection and the OS firmware makes perhaps the biggest difference of all. Good luck and have fun.

It belongs to a friend and he's had it in his rig for about 6 months. Well broken in. And Ivan makes sure I only use good cables

[audiohippo]

Anyone still running a high end CD player and the DS?

[doggiehowser]

Originally Posted by audiohippo

Anyone still running a high end CD player and the DS?

I still buy a fair number of new SACDs and play them through an EMM Labs XDS1 and Playback MPS5 (I have two systems).

The MPS5 doubles up as a DSD DAC with the USBX unit in the second system.

My XDS1 lacks a USB input but on my friend's EMM DAC2X he reckons it does fall short of the DS DAC now with Pikes and Yale.

[Vhiner]

Originally Posted by doggiehowser

I still buy a fair number of new SACDs and play them through an EMM Labs XDS1 and Playback MPS5 (I have two systems). The MPS5 doubles up as a DSD DAC with the USBX unit in the second system. My XDS1 lacks a USB input but on my friend's EMM DAC2X he reckons it does fall short of the DS DAC now with Pikes and Yale.

Doggiehowser, Do you own a DS DAC or are you saying your friend does and that the DS may surpass the EMM Labs DAC2X performance? Just curious, since I've heard none of the EMM labs gear. How does it compare with Yale to the XDS1?

[doggiehowser]

I own the DS and the EMM XDS1.

The XDS1 was still better up till 1.1.6. This was using a Weiss INT202 to get AES to the DAC from my computer.

Once I got 1.2.1, I felt the DS was better.

Bear in mind the XDS1 didn't get the new firmware update released earlier this year.

My friend has the DAC2X which did. He felt that was better until after Pikes Peak. Then the DS was ahead.

[Vhiner]

Fascinating. I guess firmware/OS updates really are the future. I'm glad to have a DAC that can keep pace. Are you going to get the firmware update for the XDS-1? Also, I would be curious to hear how you would characterize the signature of the Emm Lab gear versus the DS. I've heard the Emm Lab approach is a bit more analytical than the dCs but I've never heard either. I used to own a Meitner BiDat which I really loved.