PS Audio vs NAD M12

@mbolek. If you’re seriously thinking about the Buchardts ....I would seriously preorder the Buchardt now as the have a 200 Euro off regular price going on.... they can’t meet demand.  They have an in home 30 trial period.  Free round trip shipping.

I ordered the black pair prior to the production problems.  Recently sent an email asking to upgrade to the Oak... they upgraded at no charge due to the late delivery.  I’m supposed to get them mid March... if they don’t get here I’m going to ask for another 200e off since that’s what they are running now (if the special is still on)

I bought the Perfect Wave Direct Steam DAC with the Bridge II DSD Senior for less than the cost of the Junior.  According to their website the DSD is compatible with MQA if you have the Bridge and the latest software version....Snowmast

”Now, full MQA, Tidal (including Masters), Spotify, Qobuz, VTuner, and Roon ready.”

You’re absolutely correct about a preamplifier.... more cost involved.  That was part of my dilemma with the NAD vs PSA. 

I probably will use my Anthem MRX 720 as my preamp for now.  It has a good RC software.

cheers
Razor

@razorbraun To be fair, the DSJr trades for WELL below list price, even brand new, but snagging a deal on the DSD is great. As noted, PS Audio doesn't recommend using it as a preamp, so definitely play around with that. The Anthem could work just fine. I used a DSJr through a Marantz AV receiver because it was the only preamp I had in the house at the time. It sounded markedly better than just using the DSJr straight into my amp.

Coincidentally, I've also got a pair of S400s on pre-order and have been looking at NAD M12/M10, PS Audio, etc. Perhaps you, @mbolek , @canibefrank and I should all check into the same mental institution, since we all seem to be hovering around the same products! Or maybe we should start a focus group to show companies that there is a demand for these products. Devices like the Lyngdorf TDAI-3400 and NAD M10 are (in my unpopular opinion) the wave of the future - particularly due to room correction. Cheers!

@jnehma1 Why does PS Audio recommend to not use the DSD as a pre-amp?

lots of discussion around the need for a pre-amp.  here is the answer from Paul..

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_F6z2iix_0c

@livlifdc I didn't watch the youtube video @mbolek linked but when I spoke to PS Audio on the phone they indicated the signal to noise ratio was not ideal for using the DSD or DSJr as a DAC (it's worse on the DSJr, which is what I had). I asked if they planned to make a DSD DAC/Preamp unit, like their current Stellar Gain Cell DAC/Preamp. They said no plans at this time. So my point to them was it's a bit odd that their Stellar Preamp has a DAC built in so you end up getting two DACs if you use a DSD/DSJr with that preamp. Your only other option with PS Audio is to go up to the BHK preamp but that is significantly more expensive and IMO isn't a natural mate to the DSJr that I had.