PS Audio Direct Stream

"Remember, the DS design uses transformers in the low signal output pathway and they will take many hours to burn in somewhat like the Duelund caps."

Wonder when the mod guys will start replacing the cheap Edcor trannies with Jensens or Lundahls.

Wish Karl would have compared the DS to some DACs other than the PWD.

Mattnshilp,

From PF:
"Positive Feedback Online Fair warning: This may end up being real competition to the Playback Designs MPD-3 and MPD-5 DSD DACs, my current reference standards. I'll give it a week or so to fully warm up...I'll work it out with numerous DSD and PCM sources, to check this."

AudioStream is also working on a review.

Ozzy,

Ted Smith said:
"The DS is about 3dB lower in output than many CD players or DACs.Most of us have much more than that amount of headroom so it's not usually a problem. The thing is that the PWD is hotter than many DACs so some people have systems with no preamp that work with the PWD but perhaps not without a preamp with the DS. (BTW other people have systems for which the PWD has too high of output level and are happy that the DS has a lower output level.)"

Ozzy,

Ted Smith posted these specs for the DS output on the PS Audio forum:

Balanced: 2.8V RMS or 8V p-p 300 Ohms
Unbalanced: 1.4V RMS or 4V p-p 150 Ohms

Did the new firmware eliminate the hiss or fix the mute function?