PS Audio DirectStream DAC

[PLK]

http://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/up...rectStream.pdf

[antipop]

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.

[antipop]

Regarding the upgrade :

The upgrade replaces all three boards and the transformer inside, so unfortunately it's the majority of what's in the PWD itself. All that remains is the chassis and the front panel display. Upgrades will cost $2995. Or, you can get $2K trade in for the PWD and get a brand new DirectStream for $3995.

[2fastdriving]

Isn't that what the Esoteric "upsample to DSD" does?

[o0OBillO0o]

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!

[redm]

Originally Posted by o0OBillO0o

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!

Interesting that PS Audio says PCM is the issue, and Berkley says PCM is the solution.

[redm]

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.

[Murrayb]

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.

[HiFiGuy528]

very interesting DAC. Look forward to its release.

[doggiehowser]

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.