Upgrade PS Audio DSD Mk1 to?


I've got a bit of upgradeitis.  My current DAC is a PS Audio DSD Mk1 that has had the xfrmrs upgraded and Vcom mod done.  I like it and the music it makes but I've got an itch to upgrade.  My first, and obvious, thought was a DSD Mk2.  I've also been thinking of the LTA Aero and Lampizator Baltic.

What am I looking to improve?  I find the Mk1 a bit noisy and rather long in the tooth.  What do I like about it?  It doesn't sound "digital" and i find that it's pretty even over the frequency range and the.musoc has good flow.  I don't like hyper analytical, dry music that can cause listener fatigue.

Budget is $5k or under and I dont mind buying used.  My main concern is that the dacs listed above will be a slight lateral move and not a real upgrade.

I think my virtual system is up for reference.  If you can't find it please let me know so I can fix that.

Has anyone compared the DACs I'm interested in or have first hand experience with them?

Thanks in advance

 

tko956

@orvilletc  Welcome!  I’d be very interested in your thoughts on the Lampi vs. the Pontus if you’re willing to share once it’s settled in. 

I'll be sure to give impressions once I receive the Baltic 5 and again after it burns in.  Unfortunately I haven't received a shipment notification yet

LessLoss Echos End done. 

I have the LessLoss Echos End Reference. Sublime. 

Just got my Lampizator Baltic 5. I'm gonna burn-in some tubes and get it settled before I listen properly.

Get this R2R dac with tubes it for only $350

https://www.amazon.com/FIIO-Warmer-R2R-Desktop-Buffer/dp/B0G2BHKTRF/ref

There is no point in spending too much on dacs, as of 2026. Budget dacs have gotten very good. If you buy some expensive dac today, a better sounding dac may show up 2 months later for less than half the price. 

@tko956 wrote

I might have had too many bad experiences with the Sabre chips as they are in so many lower end DACs. Before the PS Audio I had an SMSL Su-9 and when it was replaced I felt i could relax into the music.