PS Audio Directstream DAC?

By default, the PS Audio DirectStream DAC is a wonderful performer, but I wouldn’t characterize it as analog sounding. It can have some etchedness and brittleness to it when compared to more expensive endgame DACs, but it is quite hard to beat in the $3K used range. I owned one for many years, and I went through all the possible modification upgrades (upgraded transformers, linear power supply mods, isolation tweaks, etc) and all made a profound difference in performance that brought it closer to analog. I did find the Lampizator Baltic 3 to be more “analog sounding” but less defined and resolving as the PS Audio.

For $3K used and “analog sounding”, consider R2R DACs, including Audio Mirror Tubadour III SE or IV SE or Aqua La Voce. 

Within the next month PS Audio will be Beta testing their next generation DAC..followed shortly after with people flooding the used market with their first generation DAC.  So, expect falling prices.

Whether or not the market will be "flooded" with used DS Sr. first versions will depend on what PS Audio offers as a trade-in as opposed to the open market.  Like @blisshifi  I have and still own a modified DS Sr. and like he said it is a very good DAC to this day.  I also own the Aqua La Voce S3 which bested the DS both in original and modded condition.  If you can find one in the same price range or close that would be my first choice.  You can also look for a used or even new Holo Spring 3 or the new Gustard R26.  No experience with the Audio Mirror but it has a great reputation and following but PCM only if that matters. 

the second to last 'windom' firmware version is much more laid back and ’analog-sounding’ than the very last version called 'sunlight' which brought forward etched detail in a big way...

Can you download and try different firmware versions or only the most recent?