DAC Compatible with PS Audio SACD Transport

@dcpillai 

I also own the new PSA SACD Transport for almost a year now.  I have it paired with a PSA Gain Cell DAC, as I could not afford both the new Direct Stream and the Transport at the same time.  

To get all the SACD goodies that the PSA has built into its SACD Transport, you will need to use a current model PSA DAC.  Period, end of story.  

Does not matter if a competitor's DAC has an I2S input, it needs to be a PSA DAC.  I initially paired the Transport with a GUSTARD DAC, as it had I2S connections, but it doesn't matter.  Needs to be a PSA DAC.  With the Gustard, I had to connect to the transport separately for CD Redbook and SACD, so I had to use both I2S and something else. 

I purchased a used version of the Direct Stream from 9 years back.  GREAT DAC in its own right, but the new Transport does not support older PSA DACs.  End of life situation from a software perspective.  

PSA was great about it.  Paul worked with me and gave me credit for the used DAC that I could apply to the Gain Cell.   So net net I was ok and could use the Transport as intended.  Keep in mind though, the Direct Stream is in a different league than the Gain Cell.

Check with PSA directly and see if a used Direct stream would work out and what version it would need to be.  

Good luck,

Rich 

I have the PSA SACD Transport connected to my Denafrips TP via I2S input and it works great for both SACD & Red Book. Listening right now. You must adjust the DAC pin settings. Alvin at Vinshine Audio has instructions. Highly recommended.

@rar1, sorry but you’re wrong. I called PS Audio before purchasing my PSA SACD transport and they gave me the pin configuration of their I2S output. They told me as long as my DAC can match their configuration, I would have no problem. I checked the configuration PSA gave me to see if it was compatible with my May KTE DAC. I confirmed the May was compatible with the SACD transport. All you need to do is configure the pin settings in the configuration mode of the May. I use it for SACDs and Red Book, with no issues and it sounds great.

The Holo May KTE has 4 options for the I2S pin settings. You want option 3 on the May to make it compatible with the PSA SACD transport.

I would go for a used MKI Directstream.  There are many on market.  Later you can trade in for 2400 towards MKII if you want. Plus some credit. 
 

it’s class A stock.  The forum over there has so many updates that make it so much more too. 

@smatsui & @dcpillai

My bad & my apologies if I gave out incorrect information. It was not done deliberately.

When I ordered the PSA transport, I never did any detailed research on the DAC side of things and thought that any DAC with I2S would work out fine and soon found out that that would not be the case. Didn’t know what PIN configurations were, let alone that they could be set.

Along the way I acquired an older Perfect Stream, which I thought was special and fantastic sounding, but would not work with the new Transport. The Gain Cell sounds ok and is no slouch, but it is not a Direct Stream. Also got to work with Paul directly to troubleshoot what was going on with my system, which was very cool.

Good luck with your new Transport, when you get it. It is excellent.

Rich