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DAC Burn-In Question

I am burning in a new PS Audio Direct Stream DAC (glowingly reviewed in this month's TAS -- and rightly so) and as the review points out and as I am learning, it requires significant burn in.

Question: I am feeding the DS DAC from a Bryston BDP-1 digital transport, and DAC feeds into preamp. If I am listening to a tuner through the preamp while playing the DAC as it is connected to preamp, am I burning in the DAC? Or does the pre actually have to be set to the DAC input and then be pushing the signal out to the amp?

I do not have the technical knowledge to know the answer, but want to make sure I am not wasting my time. And BTW, even partially burned in, this DAC is something special. More on this when it is ripened.

Thx, Neal
nglazer
10 responses Add your response
bigshutterbug
377 posts
 
No, the pre-amp does not have to be set to the DAC in order to burn it in the way you are doing it. You are fine....
stevecham
3,340 posts
 
I have a DAC2 that I had upgraded to SE by W4S and it was a major improvment in resolution but more importantly it sounded even more like an analog source (vinyl/tape) with much more warmth and punch. I run a PS Audio PWT into it through the I2S interconnect and my audio buds tell me that, finally, a digital source they enjoy listening too.
Jitter is almost non-existent.
nglazer OP
843 posts
 
Thank you very much. What a relief!
tboooe's avatar
tboooe
1,009 posts
 
nglazer, would love to hear your feedback on the Direct Stream. I love the idea of using FPGA instead of DAC chips.
nglazer OP
843 posts
 
Tbooe,

It is about half-burned in and it sounds better than any DAC I have heard anywhere. Bass needs to come around and highs still a bit thin.When I feel it is nearly done I will say more.

FYI, TAS and Stereophile this month both have reviews.

Cheers,

Neal
mrderrick
292 posts
 
Neal,

I am running a BDP-1 into a Direct Stream.

I am without words to describe the sound.

My opinion is that burn in will be 90% at around 500 hours.

That last 10% will develop very slowly.

Do not hesitate to run your amps directly with it.

Be prepared to make adjustments to your system to hear all that it has to offer.
nglazer OP
843 posts
 
Thanks Mrderrick. I am running it most of the day now to accelerate burn-in. Last night I listened to LCD Soundsystem's Dance Yourself Clean, a synth pop tune, and almost jumped out of my chair. The clarity and realism were astonishing.

Every now and then, and new product comes along that for me is a game changer, and this may be one of them. The Stereophile review is the only one that is not entirely celebratory, which may be due to Art Dudley's having spent most of his time listening before the software upgrade. He sounded miffed.

Cheers.

Neal
nglazer OP
843 posts
 
Bigshutterbug, (or anyone else knowledgeable),

Do I need to have preamp on at all when I am burning in from BDP-1 to DS? (I am not running direct into amp.) If so, can I Mute the pre to save the tubes?

It is getting better, more full-bodied over time, but still needs more burn. Probably have about 50-75 hrs on now.

We spend so much time burning in cables, components it is a wonder we do not get burned out on this mania.

Thx. Neal
hickamore
523 posts
 
nglazer, if audiophilia is someone's favorite hobby, there's no such thing as too much time devoted to it. Hence the existence of this forum.

Question, 7 years later: are you still using the Direct Stream today, and are you still thrilled with it? 
larshepping
34 posts
 
I heard he’s still burning it in 🔥.
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