1. Home
  2. digital
  3. 180233-110665

PS Audio Directstream DAC?

Any thoughts on the PS Audio Directstream DAC used? Seems like a used one can still be relevant because of the software updates.

I’m looking for a very analog sounding DAC—I do not need every ounce of detail.

Open to other options too (used) in the 3k category.

w123ale
jl35
4,449 posts
 

it's a great sounding DAC, especially at current used prices. There will be no more updates for this model, as new one coming out soon.. PS Audio website has lots of conversation about upgrades. And yes, any of the previous firmware versions are available and easy to change back and forth...

blisshifi's avatar
blisshifi
1,266 posts
 

@danager The Edcor transformer upgrade gave the DSD a better sense of ease and lowered noise floor. It helps to eliminate some of the grittiness that you likely don’t even realize is there. The delivery is a bit more confident, adding a bit more weight to the voicing, and the soundstage widens and heightens. In short, it becomes more musical in a very good way. 

The linear power supply upgrade helped significantly in other areas as well. That really helped with reducing the noise floor to being much more black. Detail retrieval improved considerably, as did the immediacy and speed of bass and treble.  Both upgrades were quite complimentary, and I did them months apart from each other. 

There is a lot of discussion on both upgrades on PS Audio Forum threads called Modding the DirectStream DAC. That said, it’s a really lengthy thread with 4,000 posts, but it is possible to search the thread for “Edcor”, the model number, or “transformer” and see the results from the community. I think the feedback gets good in early-mid 2021. 

peter_s
1,439 posts
 

I am also interested in learning more about transformer upgrades and power supply upgrades. Would appreciate any information.

Post removed 
fuzztone's avatar
fuzztone
5,651 posts
 

P$ Audio always offers full list for trade in. I bought mine from them for $3384 with some junky trades. Now they will give me $5999 for it.

That said, trade-ins go to The Music Room so yes, the market will be flooded. And firmware updates are long over.

I’ve had no trouble so they are probably OK used.

USB connection once required a reboot (off of standby) to renew the handshake but I feel that is a fairly common problem with USB DACs. Another DAC of mine required a physical unplugging of the USB-A end of the cable.

Yes newer is better from a parts age POV

Analog sound is a folly for me. I just spun thanks I’ll eat it here and was happy that it sounded as good as my digital pb system.

More to discover