PS Audio DirectStream DAC

**Joe P** · February 26, 2014, 02:43 PM

http://www.psaudio.com/wp-content/up...rectStream.pdf

**the professor** · February 26, 2014, 04:45 PM

It will be fun to listen to it and see if it lives up to their hype.

**Elberoth** · February 26, 2014, 04:50 PM

Interesting.

**Joe P** · February 26, 2014, 04:54 PM

http://www.audiostream.com/content/d...o-design-alpha-

**NorthStar** · February 26, 2014, 04:59 PM

But many people are doing DSD now.

**sharkmouth** · February 26, 2014, 05:18 PM

Hope it doesn't crash all the time. It would be nice if it were actually on the money. It may put all those boutique products on notice if so!

**Mike** · February 26, 2014, 06:24 PM

$5995....It doesn't cost enough to be taken seriously. Just another "toy" they will say.

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**Mike** · February 27, 2014, 06:55 AM

http://youtu.be/B7z7QXWto-k

**sharkmouth** · February 27, 2014, 08:07 AM

Bring on part 2!!! Group buy Mike???

**Mike** · February 27, 2014, 08:46 AM

Shall I inquire?

**wizard** · February 27, 2014, 12:45 PM

Ted Smith's extraordinary sounding big dac board - link

**Mike** · February 27, 2014, 12:52 PM

Thanks Wizard. That was 3 years ago. Interesting. What were your thoughts on it?

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**wizard** · February 27, 2014, 01:46 PM

Read about Ted Smith dac here

Audio Asylum

**sharkmouth** · February 27, 2014, 05:53 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Shall I inquire?

I'll listen to one first

**Mike** · February 27, 2014, 05:55 PM

I spoke with Paul today. We're discussing the possibility. Stay tuned.

**sharkmouth** · February 27, 2014, 05:56 PM

Mike way to go you old trailblazer!!!

**Mike** · February 28, 2014, 09:43 AM

http://youtu.be/Wv1XWedFgDY

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**Mike** · February 28, 2014, 10:39 AM

If anyone is interested in this product, I have negotiated an Audioshark Member Group Buy price.

** I do not make any money from this!! **

You would buy directly from PS Audio.

PM me if you are interested and I will provide the details - if you are serious and ready to buy. No tire kicking please - it wastes my time!

**sharkmouth** · March 1, 2014, 01:23 AM

Mike, just finished watching part 2, thanks for that. I really hope this is the missing quantum leap for the actual sound & reproduction of repetitive digital playback. This is getting interesting.

**Nuz1** · March 2, 2014, 02:22 PM

Sounds interesting. And thanks for setting up the group buy. But I'll be waiting for some of you with Lumins to compare and contrast.

**JDLaudio** · April 1, 2014, 03:07 PM

I am on the list to receive one of the first production run units. They are suppose to ship around the end of April. I will be able to compare it to an Auralic Vega, ExaSound e28, Lynx Hilo, and a Meitner MA-1 (thanks Mike). I will get back to everyone with an out-of-the-box impression, and follow-up thoughts after a few hundred hours of break-in. If others get one before myself, I look forward to their reviews as well. I can also bring it by Mike's house for demo if he would like, as I am only an hour away. Let me know.
Jerry-

**Jeffkad** · April 1, 2014, 06:09 PM

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

I am on the list to receive one of the first production run units. They are suppose to ship around the end of April. I will be able to compare it to an Auralic Vega, ExaSound e28, Lynx Hilo, and a Meitner MA-1 (thanks Mike). I will get back to everyone with an out-of-the-box impression, and follow-up thoughts after a few hundred hours of break-in. If others get one before myself, I look forward to their reviews as well. I can also bring it by Mike's house for demo if he would like, as I am only an hour away. Let me know.
Jerry-

I think it would be great if you and Mike could both listen and provide opinions on this. Could it really be a groundbreaking product? Tune in next month, same Bat Time, same Bat Channel (geez, did i just date myself or what?

)

Seriously, the Chord dacs (QuteHD/EX, Hugo)are getting rave reviews as well, so it seems like there is a new wave of dacs upon us.

**Mike** · April 1, 2014, 06:34 PM

Let's do it!

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**socfan12** · April 1, 2014, 07:44 PM

Just caught up with this thread. Would love to hear what you guys think!

Go AS for another group buy!

**JDLaudio** · April 1, 2014, 10:27 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Let's do it!

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I will touch base when shipment arrives.

**ozzy** · April 23, 2014, 07:11 PM

Did anyone receive the Direct Steam Yet?

**JDLaudio** · April 23, 2014, 09:42 PM

No arrival yet. I believe "end of April" is the ship date they are shooting for. I will leave a message on this thread upon arrival. Thanks........Jerry-

**hifial** · April 25, 2014, 03:17 PM

Jerry, please keep us in the loop.

**joeinid** · April 25, 2014, 04:11 PM

Welcome hihial! Thank you for joining!

**JDLaudio** · April 28, 2014, 11:51 PM

Mayoura from PS Audio informed me today that my Directstream unit has went thru Paul's listening approval process, and I now have a tracking # from FedEx. It is supposed to arrive on Friday. So hopefully I will be able to put some ears on one of these new units this weekend. Sounds like they are keeping tight quality over the early units, and subjecting each to a listening demo session. I really hope this product lives up to all the hype. I'm tired of let downs. I will keep everyone informed upon arrival......

Jerry-

**Paul** · April 29, 2014, 12:07 AM

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

Mayoura from PS Audio informed me today that my Directstream unit has went thru Paul's listening approval process, and I now have a tracking # from FedEx. It is supposed to arrive on Friday. So hopefully I will be able to put some ears on one of these new units this weekend. Sounds like they are keeping tight quality over the early units, and subjecting each to a listening demo session. I really hope this product lives up to all the hype. I'm tired of let downs. I will keep everyone informed upon arrival......

Jerry-

**Mike** · April 29, 2014, 06:43 AM

Jerry - you up for bringing it down and we can do a shootout with the Lumin?

**CPP** · April 29, 2014, 10:01 AM

a shootout, aren't these two devices different in nature, sure the Lumin has a DAC but from what I read the PS Audio is not a network player unless you add the optional Network Bridge. This shootout of sorts should be interesting....

**JDLaudio** · April 29, 2014, 12:25 PM

Sure Mike. Do you want to demo it "fresh out of the box"......or give it a few hundred hours for burn-in ?? Does your Lumin have a digital out ?? That would probably be the best way to demo them against each other. They would both be using the same source, but with different DACs. Thoughts ??

**Mike** · April 29, 2014, 12:36 PM

Let's get it burned in. Lumin has a BNC digital out. What about the PS Audio? Does it have a BNC input.

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**Joe P** · April 29, 2014, 12:58 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Let's get it burned in. Lumin has a BNC digital out. What about the PS Audio? Does it have a BNC input.

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The PS Audio DS has a SPDIF input via RCA, all you need is a BNC to RCA adaptor.

The PS Audio DS can be connected directly to amplifers, can the Lumin do that?

**Mike** · April 29, 2014, 01:00 PM

Thanks jap.

Yes, but I wouldn't want to.

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**JDLaudio** · April 29, 2014, 01:54 PM

I have a couple of different adapter cables (BNC to RCA). I will get it burning ASAP.....hopefully after Friday delivery.

**Mike** · April 29, 2014, 02:02 PM

Sounds great.

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**Audioseduction** · April 29, 2014, 04:36 PM

I say a real pre-amp is better then direct connect any day.

**JDLaudio** · April 29, 2014, 05:35 PM

I will try both direct, and a preamp. I have a VAC preamp, and a Classe SSP-800 processor for comparison to direct. And of course, I am sure Mike has some options as well. But supposedly, early beta-testers/owners are saying direct is best ?? I will also let one of VAC's engineers demo this unit in his system, to get his take as well. So that should give everyone a well rounded review.

Jerry-

**Joe P** · April 29, 2014, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Thanks jap.

Yes, but I wouldn't want to.

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From LUMIN's website FAQs:

"Can LUMIN control my amplifier volume?
Currently, this feature is not available. The app volume control digitally adjusts the output from LUMIN. This is not necessarily the highest quality method and therefore we recommend that you use your amplifier's remote control for this purpose.
It is possible that certain network-connected amplifiers can be supported in the future."

Early reports from people who have heard the DS, say it sounds better direct.

**Mike** · April 29, 2014, 05:43 PM

Jap - the Lumin app has a volume control, I just wouldn't use it. It could work, but why? Bypassing the preamp is just a bad idea in this case.

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**Joe P** · April 29, 2014, 07:15 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Jap - the Lumin app has a volume control, I just wouldn't use it. It could work, but why? Bypassing the preamp is just a bad idea in this case.

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IMO, in today's digital marketplace, Lumin is missing the boat if its volume control "is not necessarily the highest quality method."

The PS Audio DS was designed to drive amps directly.

That's one of the reasons I use to own a PWD and now another DAC with that feature.

BTW, my username is jap with a small j.

**Mike** · April 29, 2014, 07:20 PM

Cool. Glad you like the PS Audio. It sounds from the marketing hype that its worth a listen. I hope to hear it soon. But I'm not giving up the Lumin for anything and IMO, they aren't missing any boat. The Lumin is a streamer, not a DAC and quasi preamp.

Have you heard the Lumin? It's really quite good.

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**Joe P** · April 29, 2014, 08:02 PM

Originally Posted by Mike

Have you heard the Lumin? It's really quite good.

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No.

Glad to hear that you're happy with it, but if it doesn't have a high quality volume control, I'm not interested.

**JDLaudio** · April 29, 2014, 08:24 PM

I wish PS Audio would have included a flash driver reader on the DS. It wouldn't have taken much effort to add this capability, and could possibility have made an unbeatable combination. Especially if their volume control proves to provide quality playback. I really like my Bryston BDP-2 player's sound quality. And it is a very effective method of music storage. Maybe this could be a future upgrade, via a add-on board. Just thinking out loud........

Jerry-

**Joe P** · April 29, 2014, 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

I wish PS Audio would have included a flash driver reader on the DS. It wouldn't have taken much effort to add this capability, and could possibility have made an unbeatable combination. Especially if their volume control proves to provide quality playback. I really like my Bryston BDP-2 player's sound quality. And it is a very effective method of music storage. Maybe this could be a future upgrade, via a add-on board. Just thinking out loud......

Jerry-

That's a great idea. There's already a USB A input on the current Bridge module:
DS-full-4.png

**wisnon** · April 30, 2014, 01:10 AM

Originally Posted by JDLaudio

I wish PS Audio would have included a flash driver reader on the DS. It wouldn't have taken much effort to add this capability, and could possibility have made an unbeatable combination. Especially if their volume control proves to provide quality playback. I really like my Bryston BDP-2 player's sound quality. And it is a very effective method of music storage. Maybe this could be a future upgrade, via a add-on board. Just thinking out loud........

Jerry-

+1 Flash drive reader.

**JDLaudio** · May 2, 2014, 06:57 PM

Direct Stream arrived on schedule. Did not get "quick start guide" as stated. So I am going to website looking for USB drivers and user manual. Unit double-boxed, nice cloth cover, and white gloves included !! Will update after essentials are located.

Jerry-

Thread: PS Audio DirectStream DAC