PS Audio Direct stream dac -Is this hype?

[Confused_by_tech]

Can anyone explain to me briefly the theoretical and actual advantages of this dac (if any)? Other than a $6000 Price tag I can decipher little.

Not surprisingly there are video “introductions/discussions” by Paul McGowen which are quite laudatory.

Thank you.

 

[jsrtheta]

Can anyone explain to me briefly the theoretical and actual advantages of this dac (if any)? Other than a $6000 Price tag I can decipher little.

Not surprisingly there are video “introductions/discussions” by Paul McGowen which are quite laudatory.

Thank you.

How cute. They're naming their operating systems after ski resorts now?

 

[amirm]

There is nothing but pure marketing statements there. There is not one real technical detail, nor of course any objective evidence. So yes, it is all hype.

 

[Soniclife]

Handwritten

Oh that's funny, it's like they have used a quill and ink to put the code on the chips.

 

[MZKM]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/ps-audio-perfectwave-directstream-da-processor-measurements

Even with the new firmware (EDIT: Granted not the new Snowmass firmware), the high levels of harmonics is very disappointing for the price. Besides that and the jitter, it’s decent/good everywhere else.

A Benchmark DAC3 or Chord Qutest are 1/3 the price. Besides aesthetics, there really is nothing to praise for the DirectStream.

I wonder how their upcoming TSS model DAC will perform (separate units for digital and analog sections of the DAC), Ted said just the bill of materials is in the $2000-$4000 realm, and that’s even with not going with the nicer enclosures they wanted, I really hope it performs well, as it’s insane to think the BOM is equal to double the MSRP of the DAC3.

 

[Confused_by_tech]

Thank you for your thoughtful responses. At times I feel like I’m lost in Sherwood Forest.

 

[Xulonn]

Snowmass? No way -

 

[restorer-john]

...Snowmass? No way...

Yep, the PS boys plan to spend a white Christmas 2019 in a nice chalet with an outside hot-tub, occasionally jumping into the snow naked to make snow-angels after downing half a bottle of celebratory 8 year old Scotch whiskey. The days will be spent skiing on the Snowmass ski-fields, Aspen mountain and dining out in town until late at night.

All depends on selling a heap of these Direct Stream D/A converters of course, but they've booked the chalet already...

 

[Fone]

Can anyone explain to me briefly the theoretical and actual advantages of this dac (if any)? Other than a $6000 Price tag I can decipher little.

Nothing to decipher there. Just nicely written prose.

Not surprisingly there are video “introductions/discussions” by Paul McGowen which are quite laudatory.

Well, he is trying to sell a box so a positive pitch is the way to go.

 

[LTig]

Can anyone explain to me briefly the theoretical and actual advantages of this dac (if any)? Other than a $6000 Price tag I can decipher little.

There are none, this is just FUD. There is nothing deeply hidden in digital audio files.

Regarding the different formats it makes sense to convert PCM data with a DAC able to convert PCM, and DSD data with a DAC able to convert DSD. Just doing a software conversion from PCM to DSD will not improve the quality of the signal, but when done wrong may degrade it. The same is true for the other direction.

I would just interpret this sentence different: Imagine going to a recording studio and listening to a master tape of any recording made. There is no need to go into a recording studio - just buy the equipment the pros use in the studio. You won't find PS-Audio there, but look for names like MOTU, RME, ANTELOPE, etc. This is no nonsense stuff with a price/quality relation difficult to beat.

Since you already asked for the RME: Let us know what you really need and I'm sure you will get some good recommendations for equipment which measures good and is not overpriced.

 

[LTig]

https://www.stereophile.com/content/ps-audio-perfectwave-directstream-da-processor-measurements

Even with the new firmware (EDIT: Granted not the new Snowmass firmware), the high levels of harmonics is very disappointing for the price. Besides that and the jitter, it’s decent/good everywhere else.

A Benchmark DAC3 or Chord Qutest are 1/3 the price. Besides aesthetics, there really is nothing to praise for the DirectStream.

Or the RME for a 6th of the price, if you don't need MQA, Streaming, Roon support et al.

I wonder how their upcoming TSS model DAC will perform (separate units for digital and analog sections of the DAC), Ted said just the bill of materials is in the $2000-$4000 realm, and that’s even with not going with the nicer enclosures they wanted, I really hope it performs well, as it’s insane to think the BOM is equal to double the MSRP of the DAC3.

I would not expect better THD. IMHO the only way to sell overpriced DACs (or general audio equipment) is to deliver a specific brand sound (often high K2 HD) which some people with lot's of money to spare like. If you've found this brand sound you cannot easily change to a transparent sound because then you have to compete with the market on price only.

 

[JJB70]

You won't go far wrong if you just set your default position to assume that anything emanating from Paul Mcgowan and PS Audio is BS.