Opinions on PS Audio Direct Stream DAC (Mk 1)


PS Audio is clearing out factory refurbished Direct Stream DACs, the original version from 2014 or 2015, for about $1800. I'm wondering if I could get opinions on this DAC. It's old technology as far as digital goes, but it got nice reviews when it was new. It can do DSD64 and DSD128. It upsamples everything internally to DSD.

I'm interested in musicality and musical involvement, especially dynamics (macro and micro), accuracy of instrumental timbre and extracting the beauty out of the recording, low noise floor and high resolution.

magon

Does PSAudio have a return policy for used items? If so, you would only be out shipping.

On the other hand, might your question be more along the lines of, “what is the best DAC that I can buy on the used market for $1800 .. and why?”

It's The Music Room selling those at $1800 ... that model was current until a few years ago...

I have owned the PS Directstream MK1 for over four years, and I could and would upgrade if I found there was something much better, but the only one I heard that was much better was over $20K, and that's not gonna happen. So I'd say for $1800 you are getting a great DAC, and as said before, it's not out of date as it's a FPGA, one of the main reasons I brought it.

Hope this helps.

TMR will entertain an offer. Their return policy is 30 days on this with small restocking fee. Not much to lose. 

I owned the Directstream MK 1 and loved it.I traded it in for the MK 2.

The MK 1 is the greatest audio bargain you will ever find at 1800.00

I went from a Yiggy to the MK 1...and the MK 1 was in another league.

Build quality, every digital input you'll ever need, you can use it as a preamp if you choose. Fantastic remote for changing inputs from your seating position, or for adjusting the volume if your going directly into your amp. Great customer service...the list goes on and on.

This was a legit 6K DAC originally. I think you'll always maintain your value at 1800.00

If I was on a budget, I could live with this DAC for a long time.