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PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 DAC

While researching the PS Audio Direct Stream MK2 DAC on the PSA Forum, I came across this:

"Regarding “hum,” Ted said: “ You had the opportunity to return your device if it was wasn’t acceptable. I don’t know how one could claim to have been screwed…….”

Not only that, this “hum” was a known feature, as it was discussed early and often in the beta thread. Paul even went so far as to claim every component PSA has ever produced (or at least, every component on his shelf) has this hum."

Further, Ted himself says:

"The hum is coming from the piezoelectric response from a few critical capacitors in the power supply. The device was designed with a component that wouldn’t cause this problem, but supply chain problems forced us to design in a slightly older version of the part which caused the hum. Unfortunately, the new and old parts aren’t footprint compatible, so we’re stuck with the older version for a while even when the newer parts become available again."

Ted is Ted Smith, the" Chief Digital Dude" at PS Audio.

Question to all PSA DS MK2 DAC owners, do you hear a hum?

All in all, do you think it would be better to wait for a while until the problem sorts itself out - OR - is it "much ado about nothing" and I should just go ahead and get the PSA DAC?

I am leaning towards waiting .... But I am interested to hear your views too.

 

 

 

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jl35
3,913 posts
 

reading this, I find I do hear a hum from some of my components if I literally have my ear touching, or a fraction of an inch away...nothing from one or two inches away

lalitk's avatar
lalitk
5,052 posts
 

@jl35 

Some electronics are inherently noisy. Check with manufacturer before you drive yourself crazy trying to isolate or eliminate the hum. All the electronics (solid state) in my system are dead quiet…no hum or white noise. When I owned tube electronics (amp and pre), I did hear slight noise when my ear was next to the tweeter. 

jl35
3,913 posts
 

since hum is only from unit, and can't be heard from an inch away, I have no concerns

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kingbarbuda
513 posts
 

My contact at PS Audio tells me that an oscilloscope can pickup a little hum from the transformer. But there is no audible hum. I have a DSDMk2 on order. Trading in my DSDMk1. 

emailists
922 posts
 

I have a MKII on order.  PS Audio has been fantastic about repairs, etc.  One of my monoblocks ran warmer than the other, and since they were such early units, they paid for shipping both ways for both units to check them both out and make any production upgrades.  They came back even better sounding.  From reading the hum thread about the DS MKII, it seems they had to substitute a part due to the worldwide parts shortage and had to change the design a tiny bit due to that.

Same with having to resdesign for dual smaller FPGAs instead one larger one.   That’s what was available and I’m okay with that.  
I’m already on the waiting list for a new custom designed transformer that is supposed to take the Dac into $15-20k range, sound quality wise.  

Ted already has some amazing ideas of how he’s going to utilize that second FPGA, and if the MKII’s sonic evolution is anything like the MKI I experienced, it’s going to be an exciting ride.

 BTW my MKI started life as a perfect wave Dac, and was still offered full trade in value.  And PS Audio will still warranty the DAC with an aftermarket transformer!!!

I don’t know any other company that would support (properly) modded products, so kudos to them.   


 

 

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