streaming DACs around $4k

I bought mine a year and a half ago for inside your budget. With shipping  and taxes about a hundred dollars over.  

Marklarsen, how did you upgrade the "hardware of the PS audio product without switching platforms entirely are you saying that you upgraded the hardware by switching out the firmware?

The earlier Perfect wave dac could not morph magically into the direct stream series could it or are we wrong?

As per software upgrades you are missing our point it is not that changing the software doesn’t make it different, why is it changing? If you have a mature filter design there should be very little reason to make changes in the program other than to allow for feature upgrades.

We would be more than willing to do a shootout of our $4k reference dacs vs the current PS Audio products are there anyone in the NYC area would like to do this shoot out?

Dave and Troy
Audio Doctor NJ

markalarsen,

May I know what other DAC/Streamer have you tried or compared before settling with PSA.

Some of my friends have tried PSA Direct Stream and ends up returning...they were unanimous in their assessment that it sounds sterile and lacks musicality.

For once I agree with audiotroy...they seem to have way too many upgrades compare to any other company I have known.

I'm in love with my PSA DS and Bridge II.  It's spooky good.

Also, Roon is like Leboski's rug: it really pulls the room together.

I had the Vault which I thought was good and just borrowed a PS Audio Perfect Wave with Bridge and I think it is awesome. Can anyone explain how the Direct Stream is different or better?