PS Audio Directstream DAC and Streamer Mk2

PS Audio DirectStream DAC Mk 2 is the latest version of this reference grade DAC and streamer. The MK 2 continues the legacy of the Mk1. The original model was released 8 years ago and was recognised as one of the most brilliant hi-fi DACs ever made. The Mk2 has improved on this further with advanced technology and upsampling DSD and PCM formats to 20x DSD rate for a sound that is far superior to any DAC we can think of anywhere near this price point. Enjoy a renewed sense of enjoyment from your digital files.

Design

With the DirectStream Mk 2 DAC each input signal is galvanically isolated. This means that there is no direct electrical connection between the input and the chipset. The input signal is converted to a 50 bit version before it’s final conversion to analogue. The use of programmable chips means that the DAC can always be kept up to date with manufacturer software upgrades. This reveals new levels of resolution and musical magic.

FPGA Chips

This class leading model uses FPGA chips to make the unit one step above ‘off the shelf’ chipsets. FGPA stands for field programable gate array. This means that the Hardware chips can be reprogrammed by the user. As a result the conversion should be perfect and will uncover all possible detail in the music. Sources such as CD, streaming audio and hi-res audio are up sampled to twenty times the DSD rate. 

Passive preamp

Most DACs have an active preamp stage which can be valve or solid state. This can add noise and distortion so the DirectStream DAC avoids this by having a passive output. A class A amplifier is used as the final switch. This then feeds a high quality audio output transformer. This provides complete Galvanic output isolation from the outside world. This then feeds the volume control.

Use as a preamp with volume control

DirectStream MK 2 can be used as the heart of a digital audio system. It can handle any source, at high resolution and has an all new volume control. Notably, the control has six levels of attenuation. Moreover, the inputs are all galvanically isolated and the volume control has zero loss. Consequently, the DAC can be used as a preamp, connected directly to a power amp.

Galvanic isolation

The Mk 2 solves one of the most difficult problems with digital audio, the jitter and noise that comes from the incoming signal. This is done by galvanically isolating the input. As a result there is no jitter transferred tom the chipset. This gives a very pure output and exceptional performance.

DSD encoding, closer to analogue

Most DACs use of the shelf chipsets and use Multi-bit Sigma-Delta functions to process digital audio. This is simple to implement but does not give the best results. The aim of a DAC is to convert the music so that you cannot tell the difference between live and recorded. The best way of doing this is by using DSD. This is a far more 'analogue like' recording method as is used in the studio to record music. It is also of a higher resolution that the PCM encoding used by CDs.

Great connectivity with seven inputs

There are an unusual number of digital inputs, with two Balanced XLRs as well as an optical and coaxial input. Additionally, there is a USB input and two HDMI inputs for use with TV’s and projectors. There is also a wired Ethernet port. Notably, the left and right channel outputs are kept as far apart as possible to reduce crosstalk. There is also a separate XLR output for each channel. There are also two trigger inputs to turn the unit on via another device.

Who are PS Audio?

PS Audio was founded forty years ago. Their first product was a phono PreAmp. The PS Audio ethos is to provide the best audio quality possible. There is no compromise in creating Audiophile components using the best possible methodology. Ground-breaking innovation is used for all of the products. They mainly make DACs, amplifiers and more recently loudspeakers.