PSAudio Directstream DAC M-1 (refurb) vs Denafrips Venus II. Quick decision needed!

@rajugsw 

Good review IMO. You nailed its sound signature which is one reason I like it so much. The only weakness in my system/room is that upper midrange. It sometimes has that upper mid glare which drives me nuts. Doesn't happen with my vinyl anymore but digital was a definite toss up. Sounded great and then...Y-I-K-E-S!!!!. I am very allergic to the glare. But The DS took care of it.

@kmcong 

As to it being a 9 year old DAC,  remember it's a FPMG  DAC,  and PS Audio was continually upgrading the firmware until about 2 years ago. 

Good point...one which I had forgotten

Good advice given here, and I agree with the keep what you have if it sound good and makes you smile. Just because a piece of gear is technically better does not mean it will be the sound for you. I had both terminator and Pontus. I preferred the sound of the Pontus and sold the terminator.

Never heard the Denafrips. However had ordered the MK1 from TMR and last weekend compared it to the internal DAC of the Hegel 590 and also a Weiss 202. Both the MK1 and the 202 could not hold a candle to the Hegel. Suffice to say the MK1 is on its way back to TMR and the Weiss back to the friend from whom it was borrowed.

I had a DirectStream Mk 1. It sounded good to me but I didn't like it's streamer card. It crashed all the time.  I bought an AirLens and that was a lovely upgrade. PS Audio had a trade-in deal which gave me the DirectStream II for $3500. THAT was a good deal. The 2nd iteration of their DAC is better- not exponentially better but audibly better. They are heavy - the build quality is really good. they use discreet components which is a big deal. 

I'll probably buy something better in the future- the Playback Designs MPD 8 is on my wish list. 

TMR is a great dealer to do business with. Regrettably, I missed both a Denafrips Ares 15 and a Holo Audio Cyan 2 within days of each other. Opinion please - which would you choose for around $1200 ?