Modifying PS Audio DirectStream DAC

FarFreakinOut 

Enjoy.   

If only my hands were 10 years steadier....

How much to do mine?

The most expense part was the Farad Super 3. Otherwise it was very cheap for an upgrade.

This is an example of what amazes me when it comes to stereo equipment.  In Canada, the PS Audio DirectStream DAC retails for close to $9000.  Then PS Audio suggest parts you can replace inside to improve the sound?  Why then, at $9000, weren't those parts installed in the first place?  What am I missing here? 

What amazed me was they designed the boards to accept the upgraded transformers.  The original ones were about $20.00 and the upgraded ones were $31.00 + shipping.

It was very professional for PS Audio to give the information for the upgrade.  I could not have figured it out on my own.  The price to performance must have been to low for them to use the higher grade transformer or there were other considerations that gave it better sound.  The DAC got rave reviews when it was released.

bigby, I was looking this over at the PS Audio site and the transformers seem to be a “relatively” easy part for part swap (soldering and de-soldering skills mandatory) but how difficult was it to wire in the Farad Super 3 into the analog board?

Merry Christmas everyone!

In 2022, PS Audio is planning to introduce an upgraded version of the DirectStream DAC, which first came out a number of years ago. Many of the areas currently identified for upgrades will be improved in the new version of the DAC. Ted Smith, who designed the original version is also designing the new version, and he has been providing great advice to current owners who want to make upgrades before the new version is released.

@arch2 - Mattijs de Vries of Farad made the cable for me.  He terminated it with the same connector used on the analogue board.  I replaced the plug on the board with the new one.  My DAC has the Bridge II.  I took off the plate on the back of the Bridge and threaded the cable through the opening.  You have to be careful not to touch any of the boards and plug it in correctly to avoid damaging the DAC.

Thanks bigby. I’m pretty stoked about this mod. I was reading the threads on this at ps audio site and it’s very reassuring to see Ted Smith on board with these changes. I went ahead and ordered the transformers last night but it looks like a 3 month or so delivery date. Oh well, a little project for the spring I guess.

Running the new power supply cable seems tricky. I have the bridge II installed but I don’t see how you ran the cable through that opening without deactivating the bridge. My only other thought was to literally drill a new hole on the back plate and instal a rubber grommet and pass through there. Did you just simply unplug the existing power supply connection to the analog board and leave it dangling inside or did you remove the wires completely?

My biggest improvement with the PSA DirectStream was replacing the Bridge II with an sotm sms 200 Ultra Neo with a Crystal Cable Diamond USB cable...

The Bridge II is quite noisy as the designer Ted Smith indicated...

@arch2 - I left the old cord in and taped it to the bottom of the case.

@adriaan - At some point I'll replace the Bridge II but I'm not sure when. The Ultra Neo looks like a good choice.

I have powered the sotm 200 sms ultra neo with an sbooster PSU and the Crystal Cable Diamond USB cable did wonders...

Yes, the Sotm SMS200 neo is great streamer, power mine with Uptone JS-2 and Double Helix DIY pc. usb Audioquest Diamond. Sotm specializes in networking, specialists usually best for a reason. Mine not ultra, didn't feel the need for more clocking.

Can't speak to Bridge vs Sotm, just my experience of Sotm vs server/streamer in one device.

I am heading in the same direction with my DS DAC.  Have you played with power cords on the external power supply vs the DAC itself?

Here is a new thread.