PS Audio DirectStream DAC

[Vhiner]

Originally Posted by Family Progtitioner

You don't need any of those add on devices like the regen or jitterbug with the DS dac. It has an asynchronous USB, it deals with all of the theoretical problems of USB transmission itself. Just plug and play. And fancy USB cables? Save your money and don't bother

You hear what you hear, but even Ted Smith, the designer, has publicly stated that USB is the weak link in digital audio. He agrees that these things you've dismissed make a difference in the DS's sound when fed via USB sources. Journalistic opinion on this is also unanimous as far as I've been able to find. USB is a problematic transmission mode and even the best digital designers have not yet been able to overcome all of its shortcomings. However, I wouldn't put it past Ted Smith to one day pull it off.

[audio bill]

I have the Bricasti M1 DAC which also has asynchronous USB, but I have found that better USB cables and the Uptone Audio REGEN make a significant improvement in its performance. In high end audio there are many things that seem to be logically or technically unnecessary, but then there is reality and what we can actually hear. Just because we may not be able to measure a difference doesn't mean that there isn't any. Either we may be measuring the wrong thing or our hearing is more sensitive than the equipment being used to make the measurements. Our ears should be the final judge in my opinion when it comes to judging audio reproduction.

[scirica]

Originally Posted by Family Progtitioner

You don't need any of those add on devices like the regen or jitterbug with the DS dac. It has an asynchronous USB, it deals with all of the theoretical problems of USB transmission itself. Just plug and play. And fancy USB cables? Save your money and don't bother

I won't question that you came to a different conclusion than I did, but I can categorically state that there was a clearly perceivable improvement when I added the Regen to my PS Audio DS DAC and the the AQ Jitterbug shortly after to my USB output on the server end. YMMV, but I agree with Ted Smith and Paul McGowan on this one.

[audio bill]

From the previous post by 'Family Progtitioner' it doesn't read as if he tried any of the USB devices, but rather that he is choosing to dismiss any possible effect they may have based upon the theory that asynchronous USB provides perfect transmission. Please correct me if my understanding is incorrect.

[Masterlu]

Originally Posted by audio bill

I have the Bricasti M1 DAC which also has asynchronous USB, but I have found that better USB cables and the Uptone Audio REGEN make a significant improvement in its performance. In high end audio there are many things that seem to be logically or technically unnecessary, but then there is reality and what we can actually hear. Just because we may not be able to measure a difference doesn't mean that there isn't any. Either we may be measuring the wrong thing or our hearing is more sensitive than the equipment being used to make the measurements. Our ears should be the final judge in my opinion when it comes to judging audio reproduction.

+1

[scirica]

Originally Posted by audio bill

From the previous post by 'Family Progtitioner' it doesn't read as if he tried any of the USB devices, but rather that he is choosing to dismiss any possible effect they may have based upon the theory that asynchronous USB provides perfect transmission. Please correct me if my understanding is incorrect.

I think you are correct. Platitudes with attitude.

[Family Progtitioner]

Measurements and listening tests done on the regen and jitterbug actually show increased noise and zero audible improvements. The old audiophile mantra of not adding to the reproduction chain is actually true in the case of these 2 products.

[scirica]

Originally Posted by Family Progtitioner

Measurements and listening tests done on the regen and jitterbug actually show increased noise and zero audible improvements. The old audiophile mantra of not adding to the reproduction chain is actually true in the case of these 2 products.

Time for me to back away from this. We are of differing opinions. What equipment combo did you run a Regen on?

[Vhiner]

Originally Posted by Family Progtitioner

Measurements and listening tests done on the regen and jitterbug actually show increased noise and zero audible improvements. The old audiophile mantra of not adding to the reproduction chain is actually true in the case of these 2 products.

You *do* realize that "listener tests and measurements" also show that tubes, vinyl, turntables, solid state amplifiers, cds', high resolution recordings, interconnects, speaker cables, cd players, dacs and every single thing involved in music reproduction show "increased noise and zero audible improvements", right? LOL.

There are those who make the *exact* same argument you do with regard to every single audiophile invention ever sold, including that nice piece of equipment in your avatar. So, it's *got* to be true, right? I've never quite understood why anyone would participate in a hobby whose very foundation is subjective listening if that person believes that current scientific measurements are the ultimate arbiter of what is real and what is imagined. For the longest time people claimed all CD players sounded the same until they figured out how to measure jitter produced by digital audio products. Then, the flat earth society claimed that jitter can't be heard. There's no winning this debate. The script has already been written.

[Family Progtitioner]

What does the fact that certain audio products, like tube amps, create pleasurable distortions have anything to do with the regen and jitterbug creating noise? Those 2 products are supposed to remove noise, not create more, right? I like tubes and vinyl but I understand why I like them. It's not pixies and fairydust.

Also, the term flat society is a poor analogy. I would say it's more akin to homeopathy and quack medicine (you) compared to actual placebo, double blind tested medicine.