Comparing Directstream 1 and 2

Glad to hear! 

Thaks audphile1 for your wishes-very much appreciated. You’re absolutely correct about priorities.  I went through some scary times but things are better now and I’m back to audio. Here’s an update. I kept the Directstream 2 because I thought there was a small improvement over the 1.  But I recently installed the latest PS Audio firmware update (called “massive”) and the improvement is, in fact, massive so I’m happy I kept the 2.

I agree don’t rush this.

listen to the old dac for a few days using your favorite playlist. keep the new dac powered on (this is the key so you’re switching to a DAC that doesn’t need to warm up)
switch to new dac use the same playlist. Keep the old dac powered on even if you are switching power cords that’s brief so no issues there. Listen for a few days. Then put the old dac back into rotation. If you notice some qualities that you’re missing and can’t live without, you’ve made your choice.

Talk to ps audio to get an extension on home evaluation. They should understand you’re dealing with unforeseen circumstances. If they don’t, you have also made your choice.

Audio stuff aside, I wish you quick recovery and good health. That’s the important stuff.

Here is a new thread discussing both.

I agree with what's been said.  A/B testing has its place, but if you have to go through A/B or blind A/B test to decide which is better, it's probably not worth the upgrade.  I've done some comparisons between MK1 and Mk2, there was no need to go through A/B'ing.  It was that obvious.  I was ready to upgrade using the trade-in, but decided to upgrade the transformer and VOCM mod.  And now the MK1 sounds as good as MK2.  If you already have MK1, I would highly recommend going that route instead of upgrading.  

@steakster is correct, it takes more then 10 minutes of listening, switch them for a full day of listening or even 3-4 days and then switch back. I also agree that you should at least raise some doubt as to which one you are listening to if you can't get a complete blind-fold test.

But do let us know what you hear/find. 

IMO, if the new DS DAC does not wow you when swapping in the old one, if you are really struggling to hear a difference, it’s not worth it. You should have already a good baseline with the old one. Put the new one, listen. Does it wow you? Put back the old one, listen again. Is the sound degraded? If the answer is “no”, or “I am not sure”, then it’s not worth it. There is nothing scientific with this simple approach, but that’s what I would do, personally 

Use recordings that you are familiar with. If you have a Firebird Suite/Petrouchka/ Rite of Spring coupling in your collection that should cover transients, sound staging, bass…the usual audiophile stuff.

Can you enlist a 3rd person who can make choices as to which Order you are listening? You shouldn’t know in advance what order you are listening to as that will alter your perceptions. Your wife should also be blinded as to the order